Common SPC Flooring Questions

These answers apply to every SPC floor we carry. For the color, grain, and room look of a specific floor, see that product’s own page. Questions about a specific order? Call or text (408) 753-3220 or visit the showroom at 891 Laurelwood Rd, Suite 101, Santa Clara.

The answers below explain the general characteristics shared by SPC flooring products. Product-specific installation limits, warranty requirements, and manufacturer instructions always take precedence.

How do I estimate how much flooring I need?

Measure your room’s length × width in feet to get square footage, then add 10% for cuts, waste, and attic stock (planks you keep for future repairs). For a 200 sqft room, order about 220 sqft. Each product page lists coverage per carton — always round up to the next full carton.

Pro tip: many homeowners choose to keep several unopened cartons for future repairs rather than returning them. Reorder the same SKU in a few months and it’s a different manufacturing batch with slightly different tone and grain, so it may not match. The extras are insurance against leaks, furniture damage, or cracks later.

Can I install SPC myself?

Most SPC collections are suitable for DIY — modern click systems install with standard flooring installation tools and no adhesive. But warranty depends on the brand and on doing the install to spec.

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 warranty claim is evaluated, manufacturers commonly review whether the floor was installed according to their published instructions. Compare the cost of professional installation with the warranty requirements for your specific floor before deciding whether DIY is the right choice.

Will SPC work in my basement?

Yes. SPC is waterproof and is commonly installed above, on, and below grade over approved subfloors. If a concrete slab has a history of moisture issues, additional moisture mitigation may be appropriate — always follow both the flooring manufacturer’s installation requirements and the moisture-mitigation product’s instructions, since recommendations vary by brand. Check that product’s Installation section for the exact slab moisture limit before installation.

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 it is designed for long service life but cannot be refinished once the decorative surface is worn through, at which point you replace it.

A genuine hardwood investment means solid hardwood, or engineered hardwood with 3mm+ veneer. That veneer thickness is the threshold where the floor becomes refinishable (typically 2–3 refinishes over decades of service). Genuine hardwood is generally viewed as a higher-value finish in residential real estate; SPC is not.

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. Visit the showroom and borrow a full-size 2×3-foot sample to take home with a refundable deposit (cash or credit card, fully refunded when the sample comes back). A large sample beats a small chip — you can see the full plank width, grain repeat, and how the color reads across a real area of floor. Call (408) 753-3220 first to confirm the color you want is in the showroom — sample inventory rotates and popular colors are sometimes out on loan. Please return it in the same condition; the next customer needs to see it honestly. Showroom: 891 Laurelwood Rd, Suite 101, Santa Clara.

How fast does it ship, and can you store my order?

Standard orders typically arrive at our Santa Clara warehouse in 3–7 business days. Free 4-month storage is available if your project starts later — buy now and schedule delivery when ready. Local Bay Area delivery; nationwide LTL shipping; customer pickup at our Santa Clara showroom. Call or text (408) 753-3220.

Can SPC go over radiant heat?

Yes, provided the radiant system stays within the temperature limit specified for your flooring — product-specific temperature limits are listed on each product page. Follow the manufacturer’s commissioning procedure before installation and increase the temperature gradually afterward. Damage caused by exceeding those limits or by improper installation is generally not covered by warranty. Adding radiant under an existing floor is more involved — call (408) 753-3220 before you start.

What’s your return policy?

Always covered at no cost: manufacturing defects, wrong product shipped, and delivery damage documented on the receipt. Call (408) 753-3220 to report.

Why returns aren’t standard: reverse freight on a pallet runs several hundred dollars with real damage risk during transit — Kapriz carries that exposure.

Rare written exceptions: 25% restocking fee plus customer pays freight. Never for opened cartons, custom orders, or discontinued runs.

Pro tip: call (408) 753-3220 to arrange a sample loan before a large order — and confirm the color is in the showroom, since inventory rotates.

Before ordering — quick checklist

Measure every room separately
Add waste (about 10%)
Order full cartons, rounded up
Verify batch availability for the full job
Keep spare cartons for future repairs

See it in person before you decide. Room lighting, surrounding finishes, and furniture all influence how a floor looks in your home, so viewing a full-size sample before ordering is always worthwhile. Handle one at our Santa Clara showroom — 891 Laurelwood Rd, Suite 101, Santa Clara, CA 95054.