Coastal Florida is brutal on flooring. Sand acts like sandpaper on soft finishes. Humidity swells and cups solid hardwood. Salt water off wet swimsuits stains untreated stone.
The winners: engineered hardwood with a durable UV-cured finish, large-format porcelain tile, and luxury vinyl plank for high-water areas. The losers in coastal use: solid hardwood without proper humidity control, unsealed natural stone, and low-density carpet in walk-off zones.