Luxury Vinyl Flooring Is an Excellent Choice for Humid Spaces

The simple answer to this question is that luxury vinyl flooring can tolerate hot and humid weather. There is also a more complex answer to this question that we also want to guide you through. 

What can luxury vinyl flooring do?

Luxury vinyl flooring expands and contracts as there are fluctuations in temperature and humidity levels in the atmosphere. With proper installation this reduces, and even eliminates your flooring from buckling. The top layer of the luxury vinyl flooring has a representation of wood or tile imprinted upon it and then covered with a thick wear layer. There is also a waterproof core that is a wood plastic composite or a stone plastic composite that will even tolerate standing water. Luxury vinyl flooring locks together and, most-often, does need to be adhered to the subflooring but will “float”. There is an underlayment that lays under the luxury vinyl flooring that acts as padding and a vapor barrier. 

Luxury vinyl flooring is also extremely durable without sacrificing visual appeal. It will stand up to daily wear and tear, scratches, dents, stains, pet’s claws, and kids’ rough play. The look that you start with at installation lasts with proper care for 20 plus years. The finishes will match your decor in color, texture, and layout that can resemble tile, stone, and hardwoods. 

Before and During Installation of Luxury Flooring

Before Installation

When your luxury vinyl flooring is delivered there is an energy to start laying the floor in their spaces, but don’t rush in because the flooring will need to acclimate. Luxury vinyl flooring will swell and contract depending on changes in temperature and humidity so it will need to acclimate to the temperature and humidity of your home. If it doesn’t acclimate before installation, the boards will swell, or contract once installed causing buckling and/or boards separating. Store your luxury vinyl flooring between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit and between 30 and 70% humidity. 

It will also need to be determined what type of underlayment and/or adhesive will be needed for the job. The flooring should have a comprehensive guide of if adhesives are needed and if so, what works best to complement their product. Testing will need to be done by your installation company to determine if a vapor and/or pH barrier will need to be installed between the flooring and the substrate. 

During Installation

After all testing is completed and materials are acclimated for 24-48 hours installation can begin. Installation works best in areas that are fully enclosed, weather tight, and a minimum temperature of 64 degrees Fahrenheit 48 hours before, during, and after installation. 

Proper Adhesives for Hot and Humid Climates

Not all luxury vinyl flooring requires adhesives, but the climate at which you are installing your flooring may require adhesives. The manufacturer will have a number of recommended adhesives for your environment. For hot and humid climates pressure-sensitive adhesives are needed so the adhesive won’t shift with a dramatic change in temperature. 

Post-Installation Care

Luxury vinyl flooring is a durable and resilient flooring option but there are some things that can be done to prolong the life of your flooring choice.

1.    Temperature. The area in which the flooring is installed needs to remain between 55 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit. When the flooring is outside of this range the adhesive will fail. 

2.    Cleaning. Luxury vinyl flooring would not be machine scrubbed or stripped. Moisture exposed to the flooring should be removed immediately or as soon as possible. Cleaning is simple, so it should be done regularly. 

3.    Windows. Windows allow UV light and thermal expansion from magnified solar heat, so windows should be tinted or shades and/or blinds should be drawn during the hottest part of the day. 

We want you to rely on Jonathan's Flooring for all of your home flooring needs. We know that your time and money are valuable to you, so we want the best return on your flooring investment. We can help you at each stage of floor removal, floor installation, and upkeep. During our consultation we will discuss an array of options that will help your dream floors become a reality.  We will gladly field all your questions and concerns about tile repair and restoration. Call us at 850.429.4380 or contact us online.