Top 7 Best Flooring For Beach House Of 2024

For the bespoke beach homes we build and design, I'm frequently asked which sort of flooring option is best: real hardwood (solid or engineered), luxury vinyl plank (LVP), or tile. If you're looking for a low-maintenance, water-resistant floor alternative, LVP is a great choice—especially in coastal homes. Tile, on the other hand, has gone a long way, with wood and brick patterns available. The entryway, beach access area, and storage and recreation rooms are all places where our clients prefer to use LVP or tile instead of hardwoods.

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Things to consider when choosing flooring for a beach home

For many people, the ultimate goal is to live on the beach in a sun-filled beach house. Even if you already own a beach house, putting new flooring is a great way to freshen things up and make it more usable. Flooring that is durable, easy to clean, and visually appealing are all important considerations when it comes to choosing the ideal flooring for your beach house.

Location

When it comes to deciding on the ideal flooring for your beach house, location is one of the most important considerations. You should expect mild temperatures with medium to high humidity if your house is near the ocean. In this situation, it's recommended to choose with a durable floor covering that takes little upkeep and is simple to clean. Inland beach houses don't have to worry as much about sand erosion, but humidity and foot traffic are still factors to consider. It's also a good idea to think about where you want to put the flooring in your house. For example, a more robust flooring fixture may be required in an entryway room than in a small upstairs bathroom with little foot activity.

Flooring Maintenance 

It's still possible to cut down your alternatives even further after taking into account the location and amount of foot traffic your flooring will see.

Water Resistance

Saltwater is your next-door neighbor if you live on the coast. This necessitates a water-resistant beach home floor covering. Your flooring will survive longer if it is made of a water-resistant material.

Easy To Clean

It's all about the sandy beaches that are just a short distance away when you live in a beach house. However, the amount of sand that will find its way into your home as a result of this is a minor drawback. Clean up those annoying sand particles with ease by choosing a flooring option that's easy to mop up.

Durability

There are LVP and porcelain tile options that won't scratch as easily as hardwoods if you have dogs or youngsters. The sanding and refinishing of hardwood floors is a time-consuming process that involves a lot of time and effort. Porcelain tile is the longest-lasting and least-maintenance option of the three.

Maintenance

LVP and tile are more durable and easier to clean than hardwoods, which require specialized products to maintain their beauty and durability. Because of the difficulty in repairing warped wood, hardwoods should be avoided if possible.

Cost

A more affordable alternative is LVP, which costs between $1 and $2 per square foot to install and ranges from $4 to $7 per square foot. A square foot of tile can cost anywhere from $1 to $15, with installation and prep work adding another $5 to $9. Installing hardwood costs anywhere from $2 to $3 per square foot (plus $3 to $5 if the finish is performed on site), but hardwood retains its value better than any other flooring option. It can cost $8 to $25 per square foot. Installing wide plank hardwood is more expensive since it must be glued and fastened in place. The cost of labor varies widely and is determined by the market.

How to select the right flooring for your beach home

Real hardwood flooring (solid or engineered)

To ensure the strength of authentic solid hardwood flooring, each board is produced from only one piece of wood. Engineered hardwood flooring is made out of numerous layers of wood to reach the necessary thickness and wearability.

Luxury vinyl plank flooring (lvp)

The top layer of luxury vinyl plank flooring is generally meant to simulate natural wood or stone and is made up of various layers of synthetic materials and compounds that are heated and pressure-combined.

Tile

My personal preference is for porcelain tile, which is made by heating clay with other ingredients (such as quartz, silica, or feldspar) to a high temperature and creating a composite material. Porcelain tile is a great option for interior spaces like bathrooms, kitchens, and entryways because it is both versatile and durable. As a result of their exceptional resistance to chipping and scratching, these heavy-duty tiles are built to last.

Ceramic Tile Flooring

If you're looking for a low-maintenance flooring option for your beach property, consider ceramic tile. Ceramic tile is extremely easy to clean and maintain since it is resistant to water and sand. In addition, it is available in a wide range of shapes and colors, allowing you to tailor it to your specific needs. In hot and humid beach areas, ceramic tile flooring is a great choice. Ceramic tile is a great choice for both indoor and outdoor areas because it is impermeable to water. This option's only drawback is the cost. Cost per square foot of ceramic tile ranges from $7 to $15.

Laminate Flooring 

Multi-layered synthetic flooring that is laminated together is known as laminate flooring. With prices ranging from $2 to $6 per square foot, laminate is one of the most beautiful and cost-effective flooring solutions for beachfront properties. The composite surface is extremely robust and resistant to the impacts of sand and moisture because of its several layers. Besides that, it's resistant to stains, scuffs, scratches, and fading for an extended period of time. You can get the look and feel of a wood floor at a fraction of the expense of a typical wooden floor. In a variety of forms, it looks just like real wood, and it's available in a wide range of colors.

Bamboo

Bamboo is an excellent choice for coastal homes since it is both environmentally friendly and sustainable. Like other natural hardwoods, this type of flooring can be found in a wide range of colors and hues. It is scratch and ding resistant, minimal maintenance, and resistant to wear and tear. Designed for use in high-traffic locations, it can resist the wear and tear of daily use.

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Flooring for a coastal property is a crucial decision that can have a long-term impact on your financial situation. How can you go wrong with Floor Authority? They provide a variety of styles and designs that can meet your demands and lifestyle. Check out our handpicked selection of flooring options and don't hesitate to get in touch with one of our flooring specialists if you have any questions.

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