Hi everyone! Joshua Given here, owner of Given Flooring in Seminole, Florida. When you live in Seminole or anywhere else in Florida, you know the truth: our climate is a beast. The humidity is relentless, the heat can cook an egg on the sidewalk, and the sand gets everywhere. Dealing with all that underfoot is the biggest challenge Florida homeowners face when choosing new flooring. You might be dreaming of beautiful, new floors, but if you choose the wrong material, that dream can quickly turn into a costly nightmare of warping, buckling, and scratches. A floor that looks great on day one but fails a year later isn’t a good investment—it’s a headache. So, let’s talk about why selecting the right material is so critical for a Florida home and how you can save yourself time, money, and stress by choosing a floor designed to handle moisture, temperature swings, and the daily grind of beach life.

The right choice comes down to one non-negotiable factor: moisture resistance. Solid hardwood and most carpets are simply not built for our climate, and so I recommend avoiding those in the main living area. The materials that stand up best to Florida’s triple threat of humidity, heat, and sand are those that are engineered to remain stable and dry.

Let’s start with the classic: Porcelain and Ceramic Tile. Tile has been the go-to for generations for a reason. It is completely waterproof. It won’t absorb moisture, which makes it impervious to warping, swelling, and mold growth. It’s also naturally cool underfoot, offering a welcome relief from the summer heat. Both porcelain and ceramic tile are incredibly scratch-resistant and durable, making them perfect for high-traffic areas and homes near the beach. Just a quick sweep or mop, and the sand is gone. I always recommend choosing porcelain for the highest durability, especially if you have a busy household, and make sure the grout is properly sealed for complete protection.

Next up is the modern choice, Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP). This material, especially those with a rigid core like SPC or WPC, is rapidly becoming the favorite, and for good reason. It is 100% waterproof, meaning a massive spill or even an accidental splash from the pool won’t damage the core. It is specifically engineered to be dimensionally stable, meaning it resists expansion and contraction from our humidity better than almost any other material. LVP is built with a thick, clear wear layer that shrugs off scratches, dents, and the gritty abrasion from tracked-in sand. It’s also quieter and softer underfoot than tile. If you go this route, look for a high-quality wear layer (20 mil or higher) and a product that specifically states it is waterproof, not just “water-resistant.”

Finally, if you absolutely love the warm, natural look of wood, then Engineered Hardwood is an excellent choice. Unlike solid wood, engineered planks are built in layers with a cross-ply core, which makes them far more stable and resistant to humidity-driven warping and gapping. The top layer is still real hardwood, giving you the authentic look you want. While it can handle more than solid wood, it still requires more care than tile or LVP. You must sweep regularly and place mats at entryways to minimize sand exposure. It’s best used in climate-controlled areas like bedrooms and living rooms where you can maintain consistent indoor humidity and temperature. This is the only way to ensure any wood product lasts in Florida.

Choosing the right floor for a Florida home isn’t about picking the cheapest or the trendiest option; it’s about finding the material that can handle the unique abuse our climate dishes out. Focus on waterproof construction, scratch-resistant wear layers, and dimensional stability. This is how you get a beautiful floor that lasts a lifetime here in Florida.

Until next time, this is Joshua Given reminding you that the foundation of a beautiful home is a beautiful floor.