When it comes to the literal foundations of any living space, your choices need to be made very carefully. This is especially true when considering the flooring options for your beach condo.
Properties close to the ocean need to consider the climate, humidity, and atmosphere and select a floor that can stand against wear and tear from the environment and your lifestyle. Ceramic tile, engineered hardwood, laminate flooring, and luxury vinyl plank flooring are best for a beach condo.
The flooring in your condo should be practical and something you can live with and enjoy for a long time. We will explore your options so that you can find the floor that is sustainable, practical, durable, and conducive to your lifestyle and budget, all while still being easy on the eyes.
Considerations When Selecting Flooring For A Beach Condo
When deciding which kind of floor you might install, the most important thing to consider here is the material you will be using.
Your beach condo may be in the ultimate location, but it’s this location that will have its drawbacks on your physical property. According to a study by Jason Poma, salt air can cause corrosion to the metal as far inland as 50 miles. So, imagine the effects on more perishable materials.
This, coupled with the moisture carried in from the sea, makes your choice of material much more pertinent.
Cool And Chic Ceramic Tile Flooring For A Beach Condo
If you first conjure up an image of a lackluster clinical floor when imagining tiles, then you need to update your mental image. Today’s tile designs are no longer restricted to the sterile white squares that you may be picturing. A far cry from lackluster, there are even tiles that do a stellar job of imitating wooden planks.
Advantages And Disadvantages Of Ceramic Tiles
If you are considering one of the many available styles and shapes of ceramic tiles for your beach condo, consider the following aspects:
| Advantages Of Ceramic Tiles | Disadvantages Of Ceramic Tiles |
| Durable | Slippery when wet |
| Water-resistant | Grouting may require maintenance if not sealed |
| Low maintenance when it comes to cleaning | Prone to chipping or cracking if hard, heavy objects are dropped |
| Cost-effective | Cold |
| A wide array of styles to choose from | Installation can be time consuming |
| It does not retain heat; therefore, cool |
As you can see, the “cold” aspect has been listed in both columns. If your beach condo is located in an area prone to warmer weather for most of the year, this would be considered an advantage and vice versa.
Warm And Inviting Laminate Flooring For Your Beach Condo
If you desire a cost-effective, easy installation warmer alternative to ceramic tiles with an attractive outcome, then laminate may be what you’re looking for.
Laminate flooring is one of the many industries that has benefitted from the ever-evolving improvement of graphics and printing technology. The laminate floor’s surface is printed to mimic many different styles and textures of hardwood flooring.
The floor itself won’t be as cold as a tile and therefore more comfortable if that is your preference. While it is generally considered to be quite durable- having a consistent amount of foot traffic will likely lessen the lifespan of your floor.
“Waterproof” laminate installations are on the rise, but that doesn’t mean that it is completely resistant. Any damage that may occur cannot be treated or buffed out. Instead, you would need to replace the plank entirely.
Laminate flooring is a viable option if you have some budget constraints. Your floor could potentially last close to two decades- provided it is maintained and cared for accordingly.
Classic Engineered Hardwood Flooring For A Beach Condo
Hardwood flooring is a simple and classic option when it comes to flooring. You may have concerns, given that moisture and wood aren’t a great match. Engineered hardwood floors provide the extra protection required for an environment prone to moisture.
What Is Engineered Hardwood?
Engineered hardwood consists of multiple layers of hardwood and plywood. These layers of wood are placed in different directions, enhancing their durability and impertinence to warping caused by dampness.
Hardwood Flooring Is An Investment
Due to it being more on the pricey side, hardwood flooring is considered an investment, but it also has the best ROI (return on investment). Thereby giving your property added value if you decide to sell it one day.
Advantages And Disadvantages Of Engineered Hardwood Floors
Hardwood flooring is considered a classic for any kind of flooring; however, it is not without certain disadvantages.
| Advantages Of Engineered Hardwood Floors | Disadvantages Of Engineered Hardwood Floors |
| Easy to clean | More costly than other flooring options |
| Durable | Could be prone to scratching |
| Comfortable under your feet | It May require sanding or buffing for maintenance |
| Easily installed | Requires the same care as hardwood flooring |
| Temperature and moisture resistant | May have added costs for varnishing and staining etc |
| Considered a desirable property feature | |
| Many style options |
Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring For A Beach Condo
Please do not mistake this flooring for the kind you may have seen in your grandmother’s kitchen way back in the day. Luxury vinyl plank or LVP is perhaps the most cost-effective alternative that does a decent job at imitating the appearance of wood, stone, tile, and even brick.
It is low maintenance and resilient but not entirely waterproof. It is, however, considered to be water-resistant.
What Is Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring?
LVP, much like engineered hardwood, is made up of many layers. These layers may include cork, PVC, foam, and vinyl. On the surface of these layers is a transparent coating that aids in protecting the vinyl.
This coating allows LVP flooring to be impervious to stains and spills and scratch-resistant.
LVP is perhaps the easiest to install of all the options mentioned here. It is glued down to the ground or flooring below. This may prove to cause some difficulty when removing.
LVP is highly durable in areas with a high volume of foot traffic and won’t dent or chip. Cheaper versions of LVP are prone to fading from UV damage. It would be in your interest to invest in vinyl planking with UV resistance. After all, what’s a beach condo without abundant natural light streaming inside?
Internal Factors To Consider When Flooring Your Beach Condo
Besides worrying about what the outside elements may do to your floor, you also need to consider the inside traffic.
Questions To Consider When Flooring Your Beach Condo
Floors in any space see the most action. A beach condo is no different, and you should consider the questions below:
- Is there a lot of movement in your condo? i.e., foot traffic
- Will there be a lot of sandy damp feet tracking through your home?
- Do you have surfboards or other heavy recreational items that may be brought inside?
If “yes” was answered, you may want to consider leaning toward a flooring option that proves more durable.
The Size Of Your Beach Condo VS The Floors You Choose
If your condo is on the smaller side, the flooring you install can play a large part in opening up the area and making it appear larger. A lighter shade of flooring would be optimal here.
Having the same flooring running throughout the main areas of the condo will also give the illusion of a larger space. However, having the same flooring throughout the entire house could prove challenging. The bathroom and kitchen would require more cleaning and perhaps with stronger detergents.
If you want one continuous flooring throughout, a ceramic tile would be the most versatile but may be too cold for a bedroom.
Things To Avoid When Installing Floors In Your Beach Condo
- Your beach condo should not have wall-to-wall carpeting. The moisture in the air will leave your carpets musty and prone to mold. Even throw rug will need to be cleaned regularly to avoid this.
- Themes should be avoided. Try to avoid tiles with a specific motif or any nautical theme. These will quickly become tiresome and dated.
- Screeded floors may seem like a good idea due to their water resistance and relatively low maintenance, but they are prone to cracking and can be a safety hazard when wet.
Conclusion
Whatever style you’re leaning towards, it’s essential to keep the fixed structures as neutral and versatile as possible. Your floors are no exception. It would be in your favor to stick to designs that have longevity and are considered timeless (or imitations thereof).
Your décor and style may change over time, but changing your flooring is no easy feat. Flooring should be comfortable, durable, easy to maintain, and aesthetically pleasing. Your condo is your sanctuary, after all.
References
- https://www.hgtv.com/shows/beach-flip/articles/david-bromstad-s-beach-house-decorating-tips
- https://www.forbes.com/advisor/home-improvement/engineered-wood-flooring-pros-cons/
- https://www.forbes.com/advisor/home-improvement/laminate-flooring-pros-cons/
- https://www.architecturelab.net/pros-and-cons-of-hardwood-flooring/
- https://www.thespruce.com/plank-vinyl-for-self-install-floor-covering-1821633
