Waterproof vinyl plank flooring is sold in the Bay Area by flooring showrooms, big-box home centers, flooring contractors who supply what they install, and online suppliers that deliver locally. Surface Surgeon, the surfaces department of RemodelER, is one of the online options: it sells waterproof SPC vinyl plank, laminate and engineered hardwood by the box and delivers across the San Francisco Bay Area. Whoever you buy from, verify six things first: the core type, the wear layer, the overall plank thickness, whether an underlayment pad is attached, what the manufacturer requires of your subfloor, and exactly how many square feet are in a box. Those six details explain most of the difference between two planks that look the same in a photo.
What is SPC vinyl plank flooring?
SPC stands for stone polymer composite (some makers say stone plastic composite). The core of each plank is a dense, rigid blend of limestone powder and PVC, topped with a printed design layer and a clear wear layer. The planks click together and float over the subfloor without glue.
SPC is 100% waterproof and dent-resistant, and it can float over most existing hard floors, which is why it is widely used in kitchens, bathrooms, rentals and slab-on-grade homes. Our comparison of wood-look porcelain, vinyl plank and hardwood covers when each one fits.
What should you verify before you buy?
| What to verify | Why it matters | How to check |
|---|---|---|
| Core type | SPC, WPC and flexible vinyl behave differently under furniture and temperature swings | Look for "SPC" or "rigid core" on the specification sheet |
| Wear layer | The clear top layer is what takes the traffic | It is measured in mil (thousandths of an inch); get the number in writing |
| Overall thickness | Thicker planks feel more solid and bridge small subfloor flaws better | Listed in millimeters; note whether it includes the pad |
| Attached pad | A pre-attached underlayment changes what else you need to buy | Ask whether a pad is attached and whether extra underlayment is allowed |
| Subfloor requirements | Floating floors need a flat, dry subfloor to stay locked | Read the installation guide for flatness and moisture limits |
| Box coverage | Flooring is sold by the box, not by the single square foot | Divide your area plus waste by the square feet per box |
| Same production lot | Color can shift slightly between production runs | Order the whole job at once and check lot numbers on delivery |
| Indoor air certification | Flooring covers a large area of an occupied home | Ask for the product's emissions certificate, such as FloorScore |
How thick should the wear layer be?
Wear layer thickness is given in mil, and one mil is one thousandth of an inch. Thinner wear layers are aimed at light residential use, and 20 mil and above is the range commonly specified for busy households and commercial spaces. The SPC lines we carry at Surface Surgeon have 20 to 30 mil commercial wear layers, in planks 8 and 10 millimeters thick. Whatever you choose, read the wear layer and the total thickness as two separate numbers: a thick plank with a thin wear layer is not the same product as the reverse.
Does waterproof flooring mean a waterproof floor?
No, and this is the most common misunderstanding. The planks themselves do not swell or rot when wet, but water can still travel through the joints at the edges of the room and reach the subfloor. On a concrete slab, moisture can also come up from below. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for moisture testing, vapor barriers and the expansion gap at the walls, and seal the perimeter in bathrooms if the installation guide calls for it.
How do you work out how many boxes to order?
Measure each room's length and width, multiply for square feet, and add the rooms together. Add an allowance for cuts and waste; 10 percent is a typical figure for a straight layout, and more for diagonal or herringbone patterns. Divide the total by the square feet per box and round up to whole boxes. Every flooring product on our site lists its per-box coverage, and a calculator on the product page turns your square footage into boxes with waste included.
How does buying flooring from Surface Surgeon work?
Browse flooring by city or the full flooring catalog, add what you need to your project and send one quote request. Prices shown on the site are MSRP, and the quote we send back is your actual project price, which is below MSRP. We operate online and deliver across the Bay Area. We supply the material; installation is a separate trade, so line up your installer and share the product's installation guide with them before delivery.
Frequently asked questions
Can SPC vinyl plank go over existing tile?
Often, yes. SPC can float over most existing hard floors if the surface is flat, sound and within the manufacturer's tolerance. Deep grout lines may need to be filled first. Check the installation guide for your specific product.
Is SPC flooring a good choice for bathrooms and kitchens?
Yes. Because the planks are waterproof and dent-resistant, SPC is a common choice for both rooms. Pay attention to the perimeter details the manufacturer specifies, since that is where water gets under a floating floor.
Do I need a contractor account to buy flooring from Surface Surgeon?
No. Homeowners can request a quote without an account. Contractors, designers and property managers can apply for a free trade account for trade pricing.
To get started, see flooring by city, add your floor to your project, or call (408) 830-4458 with your square footage.