Lately, we’ve noticed increased requests for solid hardwood flooring, especially for homeowners relocating to the Orlando area from northern and western states. As a result, the Creative Floors team spends considerable time explaining why engineered hardwood flooring is almost always better than solid hardwood flooring for homes in Central Florida.
The very nature of hardwood floors means they’re not ideal for our climate, where humidity, water exposure, salt, and sand give them a run for their money. You’ll have a heck of a time keeping that hardwood surface from warping, cupping, gapping, fading, or otherwise looking worn out far faster than it should. Homeowner maintenance demands are increased further if you enjoy an indoor-outdoor lifestyle, have pets, or you are still raising young children.
Engineered Hardwood Outperforms Genuine Hardwood in Florida Homes
Remember: Engineered hardwood is “real” wood because the top layer, veneer, is made from the same wood species as traditional hardwood floors. You get all of the same benefits of different colors, hues, and grain patterns as you would with solid hardwood. The difference is that this top wood layer – finished with a highly-durable seal – is bonded to an underlying core comprised of multiple backing layers.
These backing layers are also specially treated to make them more durable and water-resistant. Solid hardwood floors are a favorite for a reason. Their timeless appeal works with virtually any interior design, from classic and traditional to transitional and uber-modern.
4 Reasons Engineered Hardwood is Best For Orlando Homeowners
Here are five reasons engineered hardwood is the best choice for Central Florida homeowners. We also recommend speaking to your flooring specialist about waterprooof laminate, which are also a top choice.
1. They Can Handle Fluctuations in Humidity
Florida is the most humid state in the continental United States. Even with the best HVAC system, your interior living spaces will experience humidity fluctuations significantly more than they would in northern or western states.
Engineered hardwood is designed to withstand those fluctuations in humidity, so there’s no risk of gapping or cupping, which can destroy the look of any luxury floor option.
2. They Can Handle Moisture
Most of our customers have a pool or spend quite a bit of time at our area’s beaches and waterways, which means wet feet and paws are a normal part of their routine. The same is true during storm season when rain can make a splash both outdoors and in.
While standing water should always be wiped up as soon as possible, engineered hardwood flooring is designed for water resistance (high-end laminate is also a waterproof option); traditional hardwood is not. Unless you’re immediately available to clean up any dripped, spilled, or pooled water/liquids, solid hardwood shows water damage.
3. Easier For Busy Households to Clean & Maintain
Engineered hardwood floors are intentionally designed to prevent homeowners from the worry, energy, and expense of caring for – and refinishing – natural hardwood.
They are extremely durable and easy to clean, even after bouts of dirty feet, muddy paws, ice cream spills, and the influx of sand, dust, and other outdoor debris that makes its way into living spaces when people spend almost as much time outside as they do inside.
4. You Won’t Benefit From the Same Warranties
Product warranties are specific to where and how a product is used. Because solid hardwood floors are not suited for Florida’s climate, they rarely have warranties that compete with flooring products designed for higher exposure to humidity fluctuations, changes in temperature, and moisture exposure.
On the other hand, engineered hardwood flooring and other flooring options more suited to our climate and its high-moisture demands have impressive warranties when they are purchased and installed by local licensed flooring specialists.
Learn More About Hardwood vs. Engineered Flooring at Creative Floors
Are you having trouble making the switch from solid hardwood to engineered or other “just like wood” flooring options? We understand. Come by one of Creative Floors’ local flooring showrooms or schedule an in-home consultation. We have more than 40 years of experience selling luxury flooring products to Orlando-area natives and transplants.
You’ll have the opportunity to learn more about the benefits of engineered hardwood, see how fantastic our products look when they’re installed in your Florida home, and learn more about why engineered wood options are the wiser choice when remodeling a home. Contact us to get started!
