There are several types of flooring to avoid in humid climates like South Carolina. Even though we’re a flooring company, we don’t recommend using certain types of flooring if your home is in a particularly humid area. If you’re installing new flooring in your South Carolina home, be sure to choose a style that can handle high moisture levels and fluctuating temperatures.
Types of Flooring To Avoid
Below we’ve listed several types of flooring that you should probably avoid using if you live in a humid climate.
- Carpet. Most types of carpeting absorb moisture, which can lead to mold, mildew, and dust mites. In addition, in humid conditions, it’s difficult to keep carpeting dry. If you’re planning to install carpet, you should have dehumidifiers in the room and use moisture-resistant padding underneath.
- Solid hardwood. Even though we’re a hardwood flooring provider, we don’t recommend some types of solid hardwood in your South Carolina home if you have moisture problems. Moisture causes warping and buckling, and can create gaps as humidity changes. You can try engineered hardwood as a better alternative.
- Laminate. Laminate flooring is made of fiberboard, which can take in moisture and warp. In addition, its seams are vulnerable to water penetration. Laminate requires frequent sealing and maintenance to prevent moisture problems.
- Cork. Cork is resistant to mold, but it is still porous and prone to absorbing moisture. In humid environments, it can become discolored too. Like laminate flooring, cork requires more maintenance than other types of flooring.
- Unsealed tile or stone. Certain stones that are used for flooring are porous and can absorb moisture. This can cause excessive mold or mildew without proper sealing. If you’re planning tile or stone, choose porcelain or ceramic water resistant tile.
Better Flooring Options For South Carolina Humid Climates
If you’re looking for better flooring options in humid climates like in South Carolina, you have several choices. Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) flooring is waterproof and resistant to humidity, and it’s easy to keep clean. Engineered hardwood flooring is more stable than solid wood, and offers better resistance to humidity. Or you could try ceramic or porcelain tile, or sealed concrete surfacing.
If you’d like to find out more about your options for flooring in humid climate like South Carolina, reach out to the professionals at Upstate Flooring Direct today. We offer a variety of flooring solutions for Upstate South Carolina homeowners, and we can install beautiful new flooring in your home. Reach out to us today and request an estimate.
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