Gaia Floors eTerra White Series Sand Dollar GA652312 SPC 6.5mm 7.2-inch

Warm-toned waterproof flooring in light greige tinged with quiet warm neutrality. Sand Dollar from Gaia Floor — 6.5mm, 20 mil wear.
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Serving the Bay Area Since 2003Thousands of projects completed. Retail-only since 2014
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Gaia Floor Brand
eTerra White Series Collection
SPC Flooring Type
6.5mm+ Thickness
Yes Water Resistant
20 mil Wear Layer

Quick Answer

What is Sand Dollar?

Sand Dollar is a pale greige wood-look plank with a soft neutral warmth, light in tone and elegant and airy in feel. It leans warm rather than steely, so the pale color stays inviting instead of clinical. The quiet cathedral grain gives it just enough character to read as wood-look without pulling attention, which is what lets Sand Dollar sit as a calm, neutral base for the room around it.

Is it waterproof?

Yes — 100% waterproof. Sand Dollar handles pet accidents, water-bowl spills, and tracked-in mud wiped up promptly without swelling. Clean up standing water quickly. Not approved for outdoor installation.

Will it hold up to daily life?

Sand Dollar's 20 mil wear layer and UV-cured ceramic bead (EnduraPro) finish resist scratching and scuffing over years of use. It wipes clean with a pH-neutral vinyl floor cleaner and a damp mop, and keeps the printed grain reading consistent across the floor.

What does the plank surface look like?

The plank surface shows a quiet cathedral grain with soft subtle figure and gentle movement, the kind of pattern that suggests wood-look without shouting it. A faint mineral haze drifts across the boards and the occasional small soft knot breaks up the field, while the printed surface stays smooth and even underhand. It's a calm, low-contrast face, so a Sand Dollar floor reads as one continuous, serene expanse rather than a busy mix of planks.

Quiet enough upstairs or in a condo?

There's no separate underlayment to buy and no pad to choose. Sand Dollar's factory-attached IXPE antimicrobial sound-deadening acoustic pad comes bonded to every plank and dampens footfall noise throughout the home — one less material decision and one less install step.

Is it safe for indoor air?

Yes — Sand Dollar is FloorScore, GREENGUARD Gold certified, independently tested for low chemical emissions. That matters most for households with allergies, asthma, or young children.

Will this color work in my room?

Under soft daylight Sand Dollar warms gently, the pale greige picking up a little of the room's brightness while staying restful and neutral. As the light shifts through the afternoon the warmth stays consistent rather than swinging cool or yellow, so the floor reads the same composed shade morning to evening. In a darker corner it reads as a soft, even grey-beige rather than going flat, which keeps Sand Dollar easy to live with across changing light.

Price range?

$3 to $4 per square foot, material only. Sand Dollar ships special-order in 3-7 business days; only the rotating set of colors on our sale page is stocked for immediate pickup. Plus CA sales tax. Trade pricing for verified contractors, designers, architects.

Overview

Sand Dollar is a pale greige wood-look floor with a soft neutral warmth that keeps it from reading cold. The wood-look print carries a quiet cathedral grain, with soft subtle figure and gentle movement across each plank rather than loud knots or heavy streaking. Look closely and you'll see a faint mineral haze drifting over the boards, one small soft knot here and there, and a smooth printed surface that stays calm underfoot and easy on the eye. The mood is elegant and airy, which makes Sand Dollar a natural fit for a formal sitting room, a light-filled living room, or any space you want to feel composed and unhurried. Underneath that quiet look sits a rigid SPC stone-polymer core for dimensional stability, a 20 mil wear layer, and a UV-cured ceramic-bead finish that resists scratches and stains, so the pale tone stays serene without feeling delicate.

Sand Dollar is a warm, pale greige that reads composed and airy, built to stay serene in a formal, light-filled room.

Specifications

SKU GA652312
Brand Gaia Floor
Collection eTerra White Series
Color Sand Dollar
Plank size 7.2 inches wide × 48 inches long
Thickness 6.5mm
Wear layer 20 mil
Finish UV-cured ceramic bead (EnduraPro)
Locking system Uniclic
SF per carton 19.23 sq ft
Installation grade Above, On, Below grade
Waterproof Yes — 100%
Warranty 50 Years Residential / 10 Years Light Commercial limited warranty (prorated after the first 5 residential years). Covers manufacturing defects, the UV-cured ceramic-bead finish, and topical waterproof protection under normal use. Non-transferable; original purchaser, single-site installation.
Certifications FloorScore, GREENGUARD Gold

Installation

Sand Dollar's manufacturer installation specifications. Care follows in its own section.

Installation method

These planks install as a glueless floating floor and may be laid over most existing clean, dry, level hard-surface coverings. For indoor, climate-controlled use only; not suitable for sun-rooms, solariums, showers, saunas, seasonal porches, RVs, boats, or any space with flooding potential. Acclimate the planks a minimum of about 12 hours on site before installation. Maintain a 1/4" expansion gap to walls and fixed construction such as pillars, cabinets, and islands. Install T-moldings in doorways 4 ft or narrower and in rooms 49 ft or longer in any direction. The acoustic pad is attached to the plank, so no additional underlayment should be added. Inspect every plank under good lighting before installation and discard pieces with questionable color, finish, or sheen; report visual defects within 15 days. Purchase about 5% extra material for back stock and future replacements.

Climate & humidity

Install in conditions of 35-55% relative humidity and a room temperature of 60-80°F, and keep three-season rooms within that range year-round.

Subfloor flatness & prep

The sub-floor must be flat within 3/16" over 10 ft (or 1/8" over 6 ft) and securely anchored. Concrete sub-floors must be ASTM F710 compliant, at least 3,000 psi in density, with a pH of 9 or below.

Moisture testing

Concrete must test at no more than 80% relative humidity (ASTM F2170) and no more than 3 lbs/1000 sq ft/24 hr (ASTM F1869). New concrete or gypcrete must cure and dry a minimum of 4 weeks before installation. A vapor barrier is required over all concrete sub-floors: 6 mil polyethylene with an 8" overlap.

Radiant heat compatibility

Compatible with radiant heat as long as the floor surface temperature never exceeds 80°F (26.67°C). Keep at least 1/2" of separation between heating elements and the flooring, and an in-floor temperature sensor is recommended. Raise or lower radiant heat gradually, about 10°F per day, and never shut it off abruptly.

Care & maintenance

Keeping Sand Dollar looking its best takes very little — the manufacturer care guidance is below.

Daily maintenance

Vacuum or sweep regularly to remove grit, but do not use vacuums with beater bars or power rotary brush heads. Clean spills quickly with a luxury vinyl cleaner and a clean white cloth, mopping back-and-forth and replacing the mop cover when soiled. Use a pH-neutral cleaner; no waxing is required. Avoid steam cleaners, spray cleaners, and any device that sprays liquid directly on the floor, as water can cause damage. Never use oil soaps, wax, liquid detergent, or other household products, and avoid excessive wet mopping and standing water. Place exterior and interior entry mats at all entrances, but avoid rubber-backed mats, which can stain the floor or trap moisture.

Furniture protection

Use felt or plastic floor protectors at least 1" in diameter under furniture legs. Chairs with wheeled casters need flat 1"-wide casters and a protective rigid mat; rubber casters are preferred over plastic or metal. Use a dolly to move heavy furniture or appliances; never slide or roll heavy items across the floor.

Pets & claws

Trim pets' nails and inspect footwear for spiked heels to protect the finish.

Climate & humidity

Minimize direct sunlight and intense lighting by keeping window treatments closed when sunlight is strong.

Radiant

Use caution with area rugs over radiant heating, as they can raise the floor temperature beyond recommended levels.

Frequently asked questions

How do I estimate how much flooring I need?
Start with room length × width in feet for square footage, then add at least 10% for cuts and waste — bump that to 15% for complex layouts with many doorways, stairs, or irregular shapes. Sand Dollar covers 19.23 sqft per carton. For a 200 sqft room at 10% waste, that's about 220 sqft; round up to 12 full cartons (230.8 sqft total).

Pro tip: don't return extras after install — colors can shift slightly between production runs. If you need 5 replacement planks in 2 years, your only exact match is the stock you kept. Bring floor-plan dimensions into the showroom and our staff will walk through the calculation with you.

Can I install SPC myself?
Yes, SPC is physically DIY-friendly — modern click systems install with a $150 kit and no adhesive. But warranty depends on which brand and what mistakes get made.

Most common case: DIY is allowed, but install mistakes (missed expansion gap, bad subfloor prep, wrong stagger, skipped moisture barrier) void that portion of coverage. Material defects from the manufacturer remain covered.

A few brands go further — their warranty requires "professional installation by a licensed contractor" as a coverage condition, so any DIY = warranty void even without mistakes. Check your brand's warranty language before deciding.

Pro tip: when a claim is filed, the manufacturer sends a licensed flooring inspector. DIY that followed manufacturer spec to the letter passes inspection; DIY that cut corners won't. We recommend: price out a licensed contractor quote first, read your warranty carefully, and decide based on your comfort with the procedure — not just labor savings.

Will it work in my basement?
Yes — basements are where SPC outperforms engineered hardwood and laminate most clearly. For slabs with prior water damage, we recommend going beyond the standard 6-mil polyethylene vapor barrier:

Layer 1 — concrete moisture epoxy applied directly to the slab (manufacturer-approved liquid-applied membrane). Reduces vapor transmission well below the slab moisture limit this floor requires (measured per ASTM F1869 — see the Installation section for the exact figure).

Layer 2 — 6-mil polyethylene sheeting on the cured epoxy. The epoxy resists normal slab conditions; the plastic above is insurance against slab cracks from settling or seismic movement (common in older Bay Area homes built on fill). If the slab cracks in year 12, the plastic stops moisture before it reaches your SPC.

Cost: $600-1,100 for a typical basement vs $50-100 for plastic alone. For a floor lasting 20+ years in a moisture-prone slab, double protection pays for itself the first time the slab shifts.

How does SPC compare to real hardwood?
SPC and hardwood are two different products. SPC is waterproof vinyl for kitchens, baths, basements, and laundry rooms — functional flooring rather than a resale-value investment. The wood-look grain is printed into the wear layer, not added on top, so the floor can't be sanded and refinished. Practical wear-layer life is 20-25 years; once the surface shows visible wear, you replace the floor (the 50-year warranty covers structural and manufacturing defects, not visible wear-layer aging).

A genuine hardwood investment means solid hardwood, or engineered hardwood with 3mm+ veneer. That veneer thickness is the threshold where the floor becomes refinishable (2-3 refinishes over 50+ years, updated stain colors as trends shift). Appraisers factor genuine hardwood into home value; they don't factor SPC.

Caveat: budget engineered hardwood with 1-2mm veneer shares SPC's non-refinishable, 20-25 year practical life — but unlike SPC it is not waterproof, and unlike genuine hardwood with a 3mm+ veneer it cannot be refinished, so SPC stays the better pick for kitchens, baths, and basements. If you're paying hardwood prices, verify the veneer spec. Kapriz carries both categories; the right choice depends on your rooms and refinishing expectations.

Do you offer samples I can take home?
Yes — we loan samples with a refundable deposit, fully refunded when the sample is returned within one week. Before driving over, call (408) 753-3220 — we don't permanently stock every color, and Sand Dollar may be out on loan or not currently in our showroom inventory. We can usually arrange a supplier sample if needed. The best approach: visit our Santa Clara showroom to see Sand Dollar alongside complementary flooring under real lighting, and our staff can walk you through the specs.
How fast does it ship?
Standard orders typically arrive at our Santa Clara warehouse in 3-7 business days. Want immediate pickup? Browse our in-stock items. Free 4-month storage available if your project starts later — buy now, lock in price, schedule delivery when ready. Local Bay Area delivery; nationwide LTL shipping; customer pickup at our Santa Clara showroom. Call or text (408) 753-3220.
What's your return policy?
All flooring orders are special orders, so all sales final by default.

Defective products are Kapriz's problem, not yours — manufacturing defects, wrong product, or transit damage documented on the delivery receipt all get free replacement or refund. Note any visible damage on the receipt before the driver leaves.

Why returns aren't standard: reverse logistics on a flooring pallet runs $300–800 with damage risk Kapriz absorbs.

Written exceptions (rare): 25% restocking fee + customer pays freight. Opened cartons, custom orders, and discontinued runs are never eligible.

Pro tip: unsure how Sand Dollar will look in your home? Call us — sample loan available (confirm Sand Dollar is in showroom; inventory rotates).

What does it look like installed in a real room?
Laid out in a transitional living room, Sand Dollar reads as a calm pale greige expanse that lets the furnishings carry the color. In one room we saw it under soft afternoon daylight with a slate-blue tufted sofa, a black leather lounge chair, and a brass coffee table set against light grey paneled walls and a white fireplace surround. The warm, neutral floor kept all of that from feeling heavy, holding a serene base while the blue, brass, and a framed triptych above the sofa did the talking. That's the role Sand Dollar plays installed: a quiet, elegant ground that makes a formal sitting room feel composed and airy rather than busy.
Will it match my cabinets?
Sand Dollar pairs easily with millwork and trim because the pale greige is warm and neutral, not a strong color of its own. Against the white fireplace surround in the room we saw, the floor stayed soft and unbroken, letting the white read crisp without any clash. The same logic holds for cabinetry: crisp white and off-white cabinets feel clean over Sand Dollar, soft grey cabinets stay in the same family, and a warm wood-tone cabinet picks up the floor's underlying warmth. Because the tone is light and quiet, Sand Dollar gives you room to choose without the floor fighting your cabinets.
Will it still look this bright in a windowless basement?
Sand Dollar carries its warmth from its own pale greige tone rather than relying on a bright window, so it doesn't go cold or muddy when daylight is scarce. In a lower-light room it reads as a soft, even grey-beige and keeps the same restful character it shows in the sun. Pairing Sand Dollar with warm artificial lighting brings that gentle warmth forward, so a dim or windowless space still reads composed and airy rather than gloomy.

Explore More Colors in the Gaia Floor

Browse on-sale SPC flooring across all brands →

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Written by
Sergey Stotskiy

Managing Partner, Kapriz Hardwood Floors · Licensed California C-15 Flooring Contractor #875369 (active since 2006) · Established 2003