Gaia Floors eTerra Black Series Cleo GA10854 SPC 10mm 9.05-inch

Warm-toned waterproof flooring in auburn-tinged warm red-brown with rich undertone. Cleo from Gaia Floor — 10mm, 20 mil wear. Available at Kapriz Santa Clara.
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Gaia Floor Brand
eTerra Black Series Collection
SPC Flooring Type
10mm+ Thickness
Yes Water Resistant
20 mil Wear Layer

Quick Answer

What is Cleo?

Cleo is a warm reddish brown carrying a deep auburn undertone, set in the medium part of the range rather than light or dark. It is a wood-look print over an SPC stone-polymer core, so the color and figure stay consistent board to board while the rigid core does the structural work. The look leans earthy and inviting, which is why Cleo lands well in spaces styled around natural textures and warm neutrals.

Is it waterproof?

Yes — 100% waterproof. Day-to-day life — a dropped glass, a pet bowl, a tracked-in puddle — wipes up without swelling or delamination when cleaned promptly; standing water should not be left to sit. Outdoor use is not approved.

Will it hold up to daily life?

Safe cleaners for Cleo's 20 mil wear layer: pH-neutral vinyl floor cleaners, damp microfiber mops, vacuum on hard-floor setting. The UV-cured ceramic bead (EnduraPro) finish rules out abrasive scrubbers, bleach, ammonia, and solvent-based cleaners — these dull the wear layer permanently.

What does the plank surface look like?

The Cleo plank surface shows open cathedral grain, with long sweeping arches running the length of each board and fine pinpoint flecks scattered through the figure. The variation is gentle and there are no knots, so the boards stay clean and flowing instead of busy. The printed surface is smooth and protected by a UV-cured ceramic-bead finish over a 20 mil wear layer, so what you see is an even, low-fuss wood-look texture rather than a heavily distressed one.

Quiet enough upstairs or in a condo?

There's no separate underlayment to buy and no pad to choose. Cleo'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 — Cleo 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?

Because Cleo sits in the warm middle of the range, it works in most rooms without fighting your other finishes. Under soft daylight the auburn reads rich and a touch redder; in cooler or more even light it reads as a calm medium brown. It pairs comfortably with cream and oatmeal upholstery, tan leather, and rust accents, and it gives a warm-cream wall or built-in something grounded to sit against. If your room runs cool and grey, expect Cleo to add the warmth back rather than disappear into it.

Price range?

$5 to $6 per square foot, material only. Local Bay Area delivery available, nationwide LTL shipping, customer pickup at our Santa Clara showroom. Plus CA sales tax. Trade pricing available. Call (408) 753-3220 for Cleo quote.

Overview

Cleo is a warm reddish brown with a deep auburn undertone, a medium-toned wood-look print laid over a rigid SPC stone-polymer core. Across each board you get open cathedral grain that sweeps into long, flowing arches, broken up by fine pinpoint flecks and gentle figure variation on a smooth printed surface. There are no knots to interrupt the run, so the boards read as clean and continuous rather than rustic. That warm, even read makes Cleo a natural fit for a relaxed, modern-organic living room or family room, and the 20 mil wear layer with its UV-cured ceramic-bead finish lets it handle the daily traffic those rooms see.

A warm auburn-brown floor with sweeping cathedral grain and a clean, knot-free surface that suits an easy, modern-organic living room.

Specifications

SKU GA10854
Brand Gaia Floor
Collection eTerra Black Series
Color Cleo
Plank size 9.05 inches wide × 70.87 inches long
Thickness 10mm
Wear layer 20 mil
Finish UV-cured ceramic bead (EnduraPro)
Locking system Valinge 5G drop-down
SF per carton 17.81 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

Cleo'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 Cleo 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?
Length × width of each room in feet gives you square footage. Add 10% for waste and attic stock. Cleo covers 17.81 sqft per carton — for a 200 sqft room that's about 13 cartons (231.5 sqft). Always round up.

Pro tip: we strongly recommend hiring a licensed flooring contractor to measure before ordering, especially for larger jobs. They'll account for transitions, stairs, closets, and pattern waste that homeowners often miss. Under-ordering means stopping mid-install to wait for another box — and batch matching isn't guaranteed.

Can I install eSPC myself?
Yes, eSPC 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 eSPC 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 eSPC.

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 eSPC compare to real hardwood?
eSPC and hardwood are two different products. ESPC 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 eSPC.

Caveat: budget engineered hardwood with 1-2mm veneer shares eSPC's non-refinishable, 20-25 year practical life — but unlike eSPC it is not waterproof, and unlike genuine hardwood with a 3mm+ veneer it cannot be refinished, so eSPC 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, sample loans are available with a refundable deposit on cash or credit card. We refund the full deposit when you bring the sample back within one week. Call (408) 753-3220 ahead of your visit to confirm Cleo is on-hand — we don't permanently stock every color, and any sample can be out on loan when you arrive. If we don't have one immediately, we can typically order from the supplier. Samples let you see Cleo under your home's lighting, critical for color decisions. Visit us at 891 Laurelwood Rd in Santa Clara.
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?
Kapriz ships every order as a special order from the manufacturer's warehouse — all sales are final.

Always covered at no cost: manufacturing defects, wrong product shipped, delivery damage documented on receipt before the driver leaves.

Why returns aren't default: sending a pallet back involves 6 handoffs and $300–800 freight — Kapriz carries the exposure if rejected.

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

Pro tip: see Cleo in person before ordering — call (408) 753-3220 to confirm showroom availability (samples rotate) or arrange a loan.

What does it look like installed in a real room?
Installed across a full floor, Cleo reads as a warm, continuous reddish brown with its cathedral arches drawing the eye down the length of the room. In a modern-organic living room it suits a curved cream sectional, a live-edge coffee table, and a tan-leather sling chair, with rust pillows and a single potted tree picking up the auburn warmth in the floor. The knot-free surface keeps the overall look calm and uncluttered, so Cleo frames the furniture without competing with it.
Will it match my cabinets?
Cleo pairs easily with warm-toned cabinetry and built-ins. In its own room it runs alongside warm-cream built-in shelving, and that pale, warm cabinet color lets the auburn-brown floor read as the richer element in the space. The same logic holds elsewhere: creamy off-white or soft warm-wood-tone cabinets let Cleo bring the warmth, while a crisp white set gives a cleaner contrast against it. Steer clear of cool grey cabinets if you want the red undertone to stay lively rather than muted.
How does this color read in a windowless basement?
Cleo's vision room is filled with natural daylight, where the auburn undertone reads at its warmest and richest. Take that same floor into a darker or windowless space, such as a basement, and the medium tone will read a step deeper and quieter, with the red pulling back toward a calm brown. Warm-toned lighting helps Cleo keep its auburn character below grade; cool, bluish bulbs will flatten it, so favor warmer bulbs in a low-light room.
Does this floor work with indoor plants?
Cleo works naturally with greenery. Its room is styled with a single potted tree, and that one statement plant is enough to set living green against the warm reddish brown of the floor. The earthy, auburn tone is a friendly backdrop for foliage, so a few leafy plants read as a deliberate accent rather than clutter. Just use a saucer or a felt-bottomed stand under heavy pots and wipe up any overflow promptly, since standing water should not be left on the surface.

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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