Article

Understanding the Best Flooring for Florida Homes

January 27, 2025
A well-lit room with hardwood flooring, and a French door leading to an adjoining space.

Finding the best flooring for Florida homes is not just about picking something that looks good—it’s about choosing a solution that lasts, works with your lifestyle, and holds up in a challenging climate. 

According to IBIS World, due to the population increase, Florida is among the top three states with the highest concentration of flooring installers, offering a wide range of solutions for the specific climate. 

At Seanote Construction, we approach every project with the same level of care and transparency that has made us a trusted partner for even the toughest jobs. We stand behind our work, communicate clearly, and make sure you have the information you need to make the right choice for your home.

Key Takeaways

  • Choose moisture-resistant, durable, and maintainable flooring to withstand Florida’s humidity and heat.
  • Climate friendly flooring includes tile, luxury vinyl plank, engineered hardwood, laminate, carpet and natural stone. 
  • Control humidity, seal materials, and clean regularly to extend flooring life.
  • Bamboo, cork, and recycled materials offer sustainable choices that suit Florida’s climate.

4 Key Considerations for Florida Flooring

When deciding on the best flooring, consider climate impact, durability, maintenance, and cost-effectiveness. Florida’s climate is unique, and it plays a huge role in deciding the best flooring for your home. Before picking a material, think about how it will hold up against the following factors:

1. Climate Impact

Florida’s hot and humid weather means your flooring needs to handle moisture without warping, swelling, or growing mold. Water-resistant and humidity-proof materials are a must to avoid constant repairs or replacements.

2. Durability

Floors in homes face more wear and tear than you might think. Sand from beaches, water from rainy days, and regular foot traffic all take a toll. Durable materials like tile or luxury vinyl plank (LVP) are smart choices.

3. Maintenance

With high humidity and moisture, cleaning becomes an everyday chore. Flooring that’s easy to maintain, like tile or concrete, can save you time and effort. Materials like carpet, on the other hand, may trap moisture and require extra care.

4. Cost-Effectiveness

Options like LVP offer a good mix of affordability and durability, while more costly choices like engineered hardwood give a high-end look but require a bigger investment. Not all budgets are the same, but you don’t have to sacrifice quality.

What Are Some Popular Flooring Options for Homes?

Popular flooring options for Florida homes include tile flooring, luxury vinyl plank, (LVP), engineered hardwood, laminate flooring, carpet, and natural stone.

A modern kitchen area with black and wood cabinets, surrounded by oak engineered wood floors.

Ceramic or Porcelain Tile Flooring

  • Pros: Tile is highly durable and water-resistant, making it ideal for humid weather. It also stays cool underfoot, which is a bonus in the heat.
  • Cons: Tile can feel hard and cold, and grout lines might require regular cleaning to prevent discoloration.
  • Best Areas: Kitchens, bathrooms, and high-traffic areas like hallways or living rooms.

Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP)

  • Pros: LVP mimics the look of wood but resists water, making it perfect for humid areas. It’s also affordable and soft underfoot.
  • Cons: Low-quality LVP can dent or scratch easily, so it’s worth investing in a good brand.
  • Best Areas: Whole-house flooring, especially moisture-prone spaces like laundry rooms.

Engineered Hardwood

  • Pros: Due to its multi-layer design, this type of wood flooring is designed to handle humidity better than solid hardwood, and it gives a high-end, timeless look.
  • Cons: It’s more expensive and needs controlled indoor humidity to avoid damage.
  • Best Areas: Living and dining rooms.

Laminate Flooring

  • Pros: Budget-friendly and available in various styles, laminate is a good option for less humid areas.
  • Cons: Without proper sealing, it’s vulnerable to water damage, so it’s not ideal for kitchens or bathrooms.
  • Best Areas: Bedrooms or spaces with less exposure to moisture.

Carpet

  • Pros: Soft and comfortable underfoot, carpet is great for creating a cozy feel in certain rooms.
  • Cons: It traps moisture and dirt, making it prone to mold and mildew in Florida’s climate.
  • Best Areas: Bedrooms or low-moisture spaces.

Natural Stone Flooring

  • Pros: Natural stone is highly durable, resistant to moisture, and adds a timeless, luxurious aesthetic to any space. It stays cool in hot climates, making it ideal for warm regions.
  • Cons: It can be expensive to install and maintain, as some stones require sealing to prevent stains and damage. It may also feel cold underfoot.
  • Best Areas: Kitchens, bathrooms, patios, or entryways.

Comparison Table: Flooring Options for Homes

Here’s a side-by-side comparison of the most popular options based on key factors like water resistance, durability, maintenance, and cost:

This table compares flooring types based on water resistance, durability, maintenance, cost, and best areas. Tile and concrete excel in water resistance and durability, ideal for kitchens, bathrooms, and patios. Luxury vinyl plank is versatile for whole houses and laundry rooms, offering high water resistance and low maintenance. Engineered hardwood suits living and dining rooms with moderate water resistance and high durability. Laminate and carpet are best for bedrooms, with lower durability and water resistance but affordable costs.

5 Maintenance Tips for Florida Flooring

Florida’s climate adds extra challenges, like moisture and humidity, but with these simple tips, you can extend the life of your flooring. Keeping your floors in great condition is easier when you know how to care for them.

Contractor measuring the installation for laminate wood floors for a Florida home with tools placed nearby.

1. Protect Against Moisture

  • Use rugs or mats in entryways to catch sand and water from shoes.
  • Wipe up spills immediately, especially on materials like laminate or hardwood to prevent warping or damage.

2. Control Humidity

  • Maintain indoor humidity levels using a dehumidifier or air conditioning.
  • Avoid letting moisture build up, which can cause mold or mildew in materials like carpet.

3. Regular Cleaning

  • Tile: Mop with a mild cleaner to prevent grout discoloration or dirt buildup.
  • LVP and Laminate: Use a damp mop and avoid excessive water to protect seams.
  • Carpet: Vacuum frequently and steam clean to remove trapped moisture and dirt.

4. Sealing and Finishing

  • Reseal tile grout periodically to keep them water-resistant.
  • Refinish hardwood floors every few years to maintain their appearance and durability.

5. Prevent Damage

  • Use furniture pads to avoid scratches on hardwood, LVP, or tile.
  • Rotate rugs and furniture to prevent wear in high-traffic areas.

4 Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Flooring Options

If you’re looking to go green with your flooring, there are eco-friendly options that work well in Florida’s climate. These materials combine sustainability with durability, offering a responsible and stylish choice for your home.

1. Bamboo Flooring

  • Why It’s Eco-Friendly: Bamboo is a fast-growing, renewable resource.
  • Florida-Friendly Features: Moisture-resistant and more durable than many hardwoods.
  • Care Tips: Keep indoor humidity levels stable to prevent warping.

2. Cork Flooring

  • Why It’s Eco-Friendly: Cork is harvested from tree bark without cutting down trees.
  • Florida-Friendly Features: Naturally mold-resistant and insulating, great for humid areas.
  • Care Tips: Seal cork floors regularly to protect against moisture.

3. Recycled Materials

  • Why It’s Eco-Friendly: Many tiles and carpets are made from recycled glass, plastic, or rubber.
  • Florida-Friendly Features: Tiles made from recycled materials offer the same water resistance and durability as traditional options.
  • Care Tips: Maintain like regular tile or carpet, depending on the material.

4. Sustainable Concrete

  • Why It’s Eco-Friendly: Polished concrete uses existing materials, reducing waste.
  • Florida-Friendly Features: Extremely durable and moisture-resistant.
  • Care Tips: Periodically reseal to maintain its finish.

Find Flooring Solutions Built for Florida Living

Ready to transform your home with flooring that’s built to last? At Seanote Construction, we’re here to guide you through every step of the process with honesty, and a commitment to your satisfaction. Contact us today for a consultation and discover why our clients trust us to handle their most important projects!