Gaia Floors eTerra Red Series Sole GA805311 SPC 8mm 9-inch
Why Visit Our Showroom?
For Contractors & Trade
Why Buy From Us?
Quick Answer
What is Sole?
Sole is a soft, warm beige wood-look print with a subtle taupe depth, a photographic pattern applied over an SPC stone-polymer core. Its color is a warm beige carrying a gentle taupe undertone, and the print shows a clean flowing figure, tight grain lines, occasional small knots, and faint flecking. Sole reads as a polished, refined floor rather than a casual or weathered one.
Is it waterproof?
Yes — 100% waterproof. Kitchen reality — dropped pots, splashes, and daily mop-and-go cleaning — won't faze the planks when spills are wiped up promptly; dry standing water quickly. Not approved for outdoor installation; test the subfloor for moisture before installing.
Will it hold up to daily life?
Dog nails, cat claws, litter grit, water-bowl splash — Sole's 20 mil wear layer and UV-cured ceramic bead (EnduraPro) finish resist the scratches and scuffs a pet household puts on a floor, where a thinner LVT wear layer marks more easily.
What does the plank surface look like?
The plank surface is a smooth printed wood-look organized around tight grain lines with a clean flowing figure tracing each board. Occasional small knots and faint mineral flecking appear at a sparse density, so the run stays orderly and polished rather than character-heavy. The top is sealed with a UV-cured ceramic-bead finish that resists scratches and stains and needs no waxing.
Quiet enough upstairs or in a condo?
The IXPE antimicrobial sound-deadening acoustic layer damps the hollow "click" sound characteristic of floating floors. Sole installs quieter than LVT with a loose pad — both for the walker and for rooms below in multi-story homes.
Is it safe for indoor air?
Yes — Sole 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?
Sole is a warm beige with a quiet taupe depth that gives a room a composed, slightly more substantial footing than a pale neutral. Because the figure is clean and the tone is mid-light, it works as a refined base that flatters dressier furnishings, pairing easily with cream and slate upholstery, polished metals, and dark carved wood-tone pieces. Under cool overhead light the taupe note keeps Sole from reading flat, and under warmer lamps it deepens a touch toward a soft mushroom, so the floor keeps its elegant, settled character whatever the room's lighting.
Price range?
Sole prices at $4 to $5 per square foot — plus CA sales tax. Buy now, lock in current price, free 4-month storage if your project starts later. Trade pricing available for verified license. Call (408) 753-3220.
Overview
Sole is a soft warm beige with a subtle taupe depth, a wood-look print laid over a stone-polymer core. The pattern is composed and refined: a clean flowing figure runs along tight grain lines, with only occasional small knots and faint mineral flecking, so each board reads polished rather than rustic. The planks click together as a glueless floating floor and wear a UV-cured ceramic-bead finish that resists scratches and stains, which keeps the warm taupe-beige tone of Sole even across a formal, often-used sitting room. In this transitional room the floor sits beneath cool overhead light, paired with tufted cream armchairs, two sofas, a carved coffee table, a cascade chandelier, a classical sculptural bust, and a small bonsai as the one note of green against warm off-white walls and cabinetry. That elegant, settled mood makes Sole a natural fit for a formal living or sitting room, a refined parlor, or a dressed dining space where you want a quietly upscale floor under layered traditional furnishings.
A soft taupe-deepened beige with a clean, polished grain, a quietly upscale floor for a formal transitional sitting room.
Specifications
| SKU | GA805311 |
|---|---|
| Brand | Gaia Floor |
| Collection | eTerra Red Series |
| Color | Sole |
| Plank size | 9 inches wide × 60 inches long |
| Thickness | 8mm |
| Wear layer | 20 mil |
| Finish | UV-cured ceramic bead (EnduraPro) |
| Locking system | Valinge 5G drop-down |
| SF per carton | 18.86 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
Sole'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 Sole 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?
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?
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?
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?
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?
How fast does it ship?
What's your return policy?
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 Sole in person before ordering — call (408) 753-3220 to confirm showroom availability (samples rotate) or arrange a loan.