Best Flooring Options For a Humid Climate

If you live in a region with high humidity, choosing the right flooring is essential to ensure your home remains beautiful and functional year-round. Areas with high moisture levels, such as the Pacific Northwest or tropical environments, can cause certain flooring types to warp, expand, or even deteriorate over time. At Rejuvenation Floor & Design, we understand the unique challenges posed by humid climates and have compiled a list of the best flooring options to withstand these conditions.

Whether you're dealing with persistent humidity or extreme temperature fluctuations, here are the best flooring options for a humid climate that balance durability, beauty, and practicality.

1. Engineered Wood: Stability and Style for Humid Climates

When it comes to the best flooring for humid climates, engineered wood flooring is an excellent choice. Unlike solid hardwood, engineered wood is specifically designed to endure moisture and temperature changes. First introduced by the Swedish flooring manufacturer Kahrs over 75 years ago, engineered wood is constructed with a thin layer of hardwood (called the wear layer) attached to a plywood or oriented strand board (OSB) core. This construction provides greater dimensional stability compared to solid wood, which tends to expand and contract significantly in humid environments.

Why Engineered Wood is Ideal for Humidity

Engineered wood is less prone to the issues that often plague solid hardwood in humid areas, such as warping, buckling, and gaps. This is because the layers of wood in engineered flooring are stacked in a cross-grain pattern, meaning they expand and contract less when exposed to moisture.

Engineered wood can be installed in areas that experience fluctuations in relative humidity (RH), such as basements, kitchens, and even attic conversions. It’s also highly durable and available in various styles, textures, and wood species, allowing homeowners to achieve the natural beauty of wood without worrying about moisture damage.

Key Benefits of Engineered Wood Flooring for Humid Climates:

• Greater dimensional stability compared to solid hardwood
• Resistant to warping and shrinking in fluctuating humidity
• Ideal for installation over a variety of surfaces, including concrete
• Available in a wide range of colors and finishes

2. Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) and Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP): Waterproof and Durable

Luxury vinyl flooring revolutionized the flooring industry by combining high-end aesthetics with unmatched durability. These flooring options are particularly well-suited for humid climates due to their water-resistant properties. LVT and LVP flooring feature a wood plastic composite (WPC) or stone plastic composite (SPC) core, which makes them impervious to moisture and prevents warping, swelling, or buckling, even in extreme conditions.

Perfect for Hot and Humid Regions

Whether you live in a tropical climate or a high-humidity area, LVT and LVP are excellent choices. They mimic the look of natural materials like hardwood or stone but are far more resistant to moisture and temperature fluctuations. LVT and LVP flooring can be installed in areas prone to humidity, such as bathrooms, kitchens, basements, and even laundry rooms. Because of their waterproof nature, LVT and LVP are great for homeowners who want a low-maintenance yet stylish flooring solution. Additionally, their thick wear layers provide scratch and stain resistance, making them ideal for high-traffic areas and homes with pets or children.

Key Benefits of LVT and LVP Flooring:

• 100% waterproof, ideal for high-humidity areas
• Available in a wide range of styles, including wood and stone looks
• Durable and scratch-resistant, perfect for high-traffic spaces
• Low maintenance and easy to clean

3. Bamboo Flooring: A Sustainable and Humidity-Resistant Option

Bamboo flooring is often mistaken for hardwood, but it’s actually a type of grass. Its rapid growth makes it a sustainable choice for environmentally conscious homeowners. What makes bamboo particularly appealing for humid climates is its natural ability to handle moisture and its resistance to warping when properly acclimated.

Engineered Bamboo for Humid Areas

In humid or tropical regions, engineered bamboo flooring is an excellent option. Similar to engineered wood, engineered bamboo features a top layer of bamboo over a composite core, providing better stability in areas with fluctuating moisture levels. This design makes it more resistant to warping, cracking, or expansion, even in homes located in high-humidity environments.

Key Considerations for Bamboo Flooring in Humid Climates:

• Ensure proper acclimation before installation to prevent moisture-related issues
• Choose high-quality, sustainably sourced bamboo to enhance durability
• Maintain indoor humidity levels between 35% and 55% to preserve the floor's integrity

4. Tile Flooring: Classic Durability for Humidity

Ceramic and porcelain tile flooring are tried-and-true options for humid climates. These materials are not only waterproof but also highly resistant to mold, mildew, and other moisture-related issues. Tile flooring is commonly used in bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms for its durability and moisture resistance, but it's also a fantastic option for entire homes in regions with high humidity.

Porcelain vs. Ceramic Tile

When choosing between porcelain and ceramic tile, it’s important to consider the benefits of each. Porcelain tiles are denser and more resistant to moisture than ceramic tiles, making them ideal for humid climates. However, both types of tile offer excellent durability and require minimal maintenance.

Key Benefits of Tile Flooring:

• Waterproof and moisture-resistant, ideal for high-humidity areas
• Extremely durable and long-lasting
• Available in a variety of styles, from sleek and modern to rustic and traditional
• Low maintenance and easy to clean

5. Cork Flooring: A Unique and Eco-Friendly Solution

Cork flooring is a natural, renewable resource that is gaining popularity for its environmental benefits and unique properties. Cork is naturally resistant to moisture, mold, and mildew, making it an excellent choice for homes in humid climates. Its cellular structure allows it to "breathe," which helps to regulate indoor humidity levels.

Cork’s Natural Benefits for Humidity

Cork flooring has the added benefit of being soft underfoot and offering excellent insulation properties. It helps maintain comfortable indoor temperatures, which is particularly beneficial in regions that experience both high heat and humidity. Cork is also hypoallergenic and resistant to pests, making it a healthy option for homes.

Key Benefits of Cork Flooring:

• Naturally moisture-resistant, making it ideal for humid climates
• Soft and comfortable underfoot
• Environmentally friendly and renewable resource
• Excellent insulation and soundproofing properties

Conclusion: Choose the Best Flooring for Your Humid Climate

When it comes to selecting the best flooring for a humid climate, it’s essential to consider materials that can withstand moisture, humidity, and temperature fluctuations without compromising on style or durability. From the dimensional stability of engineered wood to the waterproof resilience of LVT/LVP, there are plenty of options available to suit your needs and preferences.

At Rejuvenation Floor & Design, we’re here to help you navigate the best flooring options for your climate. Whether you’re dealing with high humidity in Portland or looking to install moisture-resistant flooring in a tropical vacation home, we have the expertise and product selection to make your vision a reality.