Common WPC Flooring Questions

These answers apply to every WPC (wood-plastic composite) 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.

What’s the difference between WPC and SPC?

Both are waterproof rigid-core vinyl, but the core is different and you feel it underfoot. WPC uses a wood-plastic composite core with a foamed structure — it’s thicker, softer, warmer, and quieter to walk on. SPC uses a dense stone composite core — thinner, harder, and more dent-resistant. Choose WPC when comfort and sound matter: bedrooms, home offices, and upstairs rooms over living space where you don’t want footsteps traveling through the ceiling. Choose SPC when the floor takes heavy abuse — rolling chairs, big dogs, commercial traffic. Both are 100% waterproof; the decision is feel, not water. Individual products vary by brand, thickness, and construction. See our SPC questions if you’re comparing.

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 WPC myself?

Many WPC floors are suitable for DIY installation — the same angle-tap click system as SPC, no adhesive, with a basic tapping-block kit. The thicker foamed core is often a little more forgiving of minor subfloor imperfections than thin SPC. But warranty still depends on the brand and on doing it 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. Manufacturing defects stay covered. A few brands require professional installation by a licensed contractor as a coverage condition — any DIY voids warranty even with no mistakes. Check your floor’s warranty language first.

Pro tip: WPC’s foam core means acclimation matters more than with SPC — the wood component reacts to temperature and humidity swings, so give the planks the full manufacturer-specified acclimation time in the actual room before installing. Skipping acclimation is one of the most common installation mistakes.

Will WPC work in my basement?

Yes — WPC is waterproof and works below grade. One caveat versus SPC: WPC’s wood-plastic core is a little more sensitive to wide temperature swings, so for an unconditioned basement with large seasonal temperature swings, SPC is often preferred. For a conditioned basement (heated/cooled with the house), WPC is fine and gives you the warmer, quieter feel.

If a slab has a history of moisture issues, additional moisture mitigation may be appropriate — follow both the flooring manufacturer’s requirements and the moisture-mitigation product’s instructions, since some brands specify particular methods. Each floor states its exact slab moisture limit in its Installation section — check that figure against your slab’s moisture test.

How does WPC compare to real hardwood?

WPC and hardwood are different products. WPC is waterproof vinyl with a printed wood-look wear layer. It is designed for long service life, but unlike hardwood it cannot be refinished once the decorative surface is worn through — at that point you replace it. It’s functional flooring for wet and comfort-priority rooms, not a resale-value investment.

A genuine hardwood investment means solid hardwood, or engineered hardwood with 3mm+ veneer — that veneer thickness is where a 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; WPC is not. If you’re paying hardwood prices, verify the veneer spec. Kapriz carries both; 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 (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, and with WPC you can also feel the softer, warmer surface. 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 WPC go over radiant heat?

Yes, within the temperature limit your specific floor allows — see that product’s Installation section for the exact figure. WPC often feels warmer underfoot than SPC, so it pairs nicely with radiant. The same rules apply: stay within the temperature spec, follow the manufacturer-recommended system commissioning procedure before installation, and ramp the system up gradually afterward. Exceeding the temp spec or skipping the commissioning steps is not covered — those are installation-related, not manufacturing defects. Call us before retrofitting radiant under an existing floor.

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 in 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: arrange a sample loan before a large order, and confirm the color is in the showroom — 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. WPC’s softer, warmer feel is something you have to walk on to judge. Handle a full-size sample at our Santa Clara showroom — 891 Laurelwood Rd, Suite 101, Santa Clara, CA 95054. Call or text (408) 753-3220.