Hardwood Flooring Vinyl Or Engineered In Humid Climates

Because this specific material has many different layers and are more resistant to moisture engineered hardwood planks are ideal for flooring in homes in a humid climate.

Hardwood flooring vinyl or engineered in humid climates.

Wood flooring installation below grade in a basement or in any room where moisture could be a problem like a kitchen laundry or bath is not a great idea. Okay so this is more of a general tip but it still applies when picking a hot and humid flooring option. A good quality engineered wood floor is ideal for the florida climate and style of home building. You can design your home around nearly any type of engineered hardwood such as maple pine oak or ash.

Keep in mind that there s a sweet spot for many types of flooring. Engineered hardwood is ideal for your humid area because it is much more difficult for moisture to penetrate and affect engineered hardwood making this beautiful wood less likely to swell or bubble under constant exposure to wetness. Engineered hardwood is more stable than solid wood and is ideal in environments where the humidity exceeds 50 percent. The slightest bit of moisture can cause discoloration and cracks.

It s also less expensive than solid wood floors but it can t be sanded down and refinished like solid hardwood floors can. Solid hardwood is prone to expanding in humid climates we ve all experienced a door stick on a particularly rainy or damp day. While exotic woods may be out of the question you can score some domestic hardwood or engineered wood flooring within a moderate budget in addition to luxury vinyl. Both vinyl and linoleum are available in sheets and tiles and they clean up with a damp mop.

While wood and water don t mix engineered hardwood is a relatively safe choice for humid climates. The materials used to make engineered hardwood are moisture resistant and the layers are pressed together with their grains alternating directions which results in less expansion contraction and warping than natural hardwood. Hardwood hardwood as a natural flooring material is affected by extremes of damp or dryness so try to keep your indoor relative humidity between 35 and 60 percent. Engineered wood has real wood as the top layer and particle wood underneath and it s designed to deflect high moisture levels.

Although this flooring may be more expensive to buy than other materials it can last for many years or even decades. Luxury vinyl works well in wet areas of the house such as kitchens basements and even bathrooms. While they re suitable in any climate they can feel a bit chilly underfoot. Engineered hardwood planks are manufactured under extreme heat and pressure to bond a plywood or fiberboard core to a thin layer of solid hardwood.

The attraction of vinyl is that it can replicate the luxurious appearance of wood while resisting moisture absorption making it a perfect choice for hot and humid areas. If you live in a particularly humid area engineered hardwood floors are a great option for you.