What is the Best Wood Flooring for Florida?

There is no question that hardwood is one of the most desired materials for Florida Flooring. Most homeowners prefer hardwood flooring because not only is it elegant and durable, it also adds value to the home. In North America, the common types of hardwood available for flooring include hickory, oak, maple, walnut, cherry, birch, pine, and many more.

Every type of hardwood available has unrivaled beauty and can go with any home color scheme, whether it is traditional, modern, exotic, tropical, country-style, etc. Further, hardwood flooring can be installed in any room, except it may not be ideal for bathrooms, kitchens, and basements. 

The Climate

You must always consider the climate you live in when thinking about flooring options for your home.  If you reside in South Florida, you will especially pay attention to the climate. South Florida may be reflective of the entire sunshine state, but it is also humid most of the year. Hardwood flooring does not tolerate wetness well. In general, if you live in Florida and want hardwood flooring, you would need to keep your home on the dry side, such as perhaps continually running an air conditioner.

In addition, any liquid spills should be quickly cleaned or the flooring may begin to warp and perhaps even rot with time. At the same time, however, hardwood is very durable and can last many decades if you properly maintain it. Many homes in Florida have hardwood flooring; the key is to look after it.  Engineered hardwood flooring in South Florida is often considered the best hardwood choice for the climate, as is discussed below.

Finished or Unfinished

If you want to customize the finish according to the home decor and/or match the color of the existing flooring, go with unfinished hardwood. Once the hardwood flooring is installed and stained, you can apply a protective finish. More important, if you are thinking of installing hardwood in your kitchen, the finish will infiltrate the edges and seal the seams between the planks, which will prevent any moisture from seeping under the planks.

The other option is to purchase prefinished hardwood flooring, which has already been sanded and sealed and also has the convenience of making the installation process quicker. You are also able to walk on the flooring right away. While unfinished wood may be cheaper to buy, you also have to factor in the cost of the finishing after installation. In the end, there is usually not much difference in pricing unless you do the finishing yourself, which is not recommended unless you are a professional.

Engineered Hardwood

While many types of hardwood can be used for flooring, the one that is most recommended is engineered hardwood. In general, the traditional hardwood flooring is made of wooden planks that vary in thickness from ⅝ to ¾ inches. Since the wood is solid, it can be sanded and refinished multiple times without causing any damage. However, solid wood has one major negative; it is not well-suited for wet climates and most certainly is not recommended for basements.

The alternative today is engineered hardwood, which is manufactured by adhering several layers of wood (e.g., plywood) in a criss-cross pattern with a veneer finish. Constructing the hardwood in this manner allows the engineered hardwood to become extremely durable, stable, and less moisture-prone. Engineered hardwood is a good option for any room of the home, including the kitchen and the basement. However, depending on the thickness of the surface veneer, engineered hardwood flooring can only be sanded and refinished, at the most, two times in its lifetime. Engineered hardwood floors in Florida is a good recommendation.

What is the Cost of Engineered Hardwood Flooring?

The cost of engineered hardwood flooring in South Florida depends on the size of the home, location, the type of wood flooring, and the installation method. On average, the labor costs for just the installation will vary from $2,500-$7,000.

The engineered hardwood itself will cost between $4-$12 per square foot for most domestic species of wood. Overall, the total cost of installing engineered hardwood can run from $10K-$15K. Today, engineered hardwood is available in many styles, designs, and colors, and, more importantly, engineered hardwood is relatively easy to install.

How Long will Engineered Hardwood Last?

If well maintained, engineered hardwood can easily last more than 50 years.  The flooring is easy to clean and maintain. The one downside is that if heavy objects fall on it, cracks can develop, and this may mean replacement of the entire plank. Unlike regular hardwood, engineered hardwood is moisture-resistant but you still need to clean up any water spills quickly.

What Are the Negatives of Engineered Hardwood?

The few minor negatives about engineered hardwood include the following:

  1. You may not have all the color options available to match your decor. 
  2. Engineered hardwood can only be sanded and refinished 1-2 times because the surface veneer layer is very thin. 
  3. Engineered hardwood can be relatively more difficult to match to the existing wood flooring in the home.
  4. The quality of engineered hardwood varies and it is important to purchase it from a reputable flooring vendor.

Conclusion

If you are considering engineered hardwood flooring in South Florida, consult with a flooring expert. Today, there are many choices of hardwood flooring, but engineered hardwood is the best for the climate in Florida. It has many good qualities, but best of all, it will also better enhance the value of your home.  Speak to an East Coast Flooring specialist today about the use of engineered hardwood floors in Florida.