The name Archipel is inspired by the word Arcipelago, which means a sea filled with many islands. Drawing from the beauty of islands and their diverse wildlife, we crafted a truly unique product. Just like all living creatures, adaptation is key to survival, and our floors are designed with this in mind. Featuring waterproof construction, an ultra-durable wear layer, and commercial-grade abrasion and stain resistance, our floors are built to withstand even the toughest home environments. Staying true to our theme, this line of rigid engineered luxury vinyl boasts certifications like E1 and FloorScore, ensuring that the air inside your home is as safe and fresh as the great outdoors. We've meticulously designed our floors to mimic the natural look of wood, complete with enhanced painted bevels and a registered embossed finish, ensuring no detail is overlooked in quality and design. Plus, they are 100% waterproof, easy to clean, and resistant to stains, including those from pets, thanks to the ultra-durable wear layer with ceramic bead technology.
Yes — both vinyl lines are 100% waterproof through the body of the plank, so they suit kitchens, bathrooms, and basements. The Café Collection uses a rigid SPC core; the Europe Collection is a fibreglass-reinforced loose-lay plank. We still recommend caulking around tubs and sinks to keep standing water out of the seams.
What is the difference between SPC, WPC and loose-lay vinyl?
LVP (luxury vinyl plank) is the umbrella term, and it splits by how the plank installs. Floating, click-together planks use a rigid core — SPC (stone-plastic composite) is dense and very stable, while WPC (wood-plastic composite) is a little softer and warmer underfoot. The AquaTeck Café Collection is a floating SPC floor. Loose-lay planks, like the AquaTeck Europe Collection, are a non-floating, glue-down-family product: a heavier fibreglass-reinforced plank with an anti-slip grip backing that lies directly on the subfloor.
Do AquaTeck’s vinyl planks need underlay?
It depends on the line, because they install differently. The Café Collection is a floating SPC floor and ships with a 1.5 mm acoustic EVA pad already attached — nothing extra to buy. The Europe Collection is a loose-lay floor that installs straight onto the subfloor (laid loose, perimeter-glued, or fully glued), so it uses no underlayment at all. Either way you never add a separate pad — a cushioned underlay should never go under a glue-down or loose-lay vinyl.
How do the two vinyl lines install, and which should I choose?
The Café (SPC) Collection clicks together as a floating floor with a 2G drop-lock — quick, DIY-friendly, with the pad built in. The Europe Collection is a commercial-grade loose-lay plank: its fibreglass core and anti-slip backing let it lie loose for fast installs and easy single-plank replacement, or be perimeter / fully glued for heavy-traffic and commercial jobs. Choose Café for an easy floating install with sound-dampening built in; choose Europe for maximum stability, commercial durability, and glue-down flexibility.
Are matching trims and stair pieces available?
Yes. Both vinyl collections offer matching reducers, transitions, and stair nosings (plus flush stair nosings and concave/cove pieces on the Café line) so every edge and stair finishes properly.
