Wood Floors Flourish in Florida
Florida’s tropical climate brings high humidity, moisture, and heat along with it. For that reason, wood flooring professionals have some special factors to keep in mind to have a successful installation. With the 2026 NWFA Wood Flooring Expo in Orlando this year, NWFA members in Florida are sharing their experiences working with wood flooring in the Sunshine State.
WOOD CAN BE A SOLID CHOICE
There is quite a bit of history with wood flooring in Florida. Bob Goldstein, who handles technical training and sales for Vermont Natural Coatings, is based in Boca Raton. He says that dating back to when Henry Flagler and others were developing the state, wood was the
material of choice. In fact, he notes that so much Dade County Pine was used during the construction boom that the trees were near extinction.
“In the 1940s through the mid-1960s, if you wanted an FHA mortgage, you had two options for flooring: wood or terrazzo. The majority of homes had wood floors,” says Goldstein.
“Now, let’s move to the present. Florida basically is hot and humid year-round. It is rare for anyone living in the state to turn off their HVAC. This fact gives Florida one of the most consistent, stable interior environments in the country.”
If a customer has the perception that having real wood floors in Florida isn’t possible, Lenny Hall of Endurance Floor Company Inc. in West Park, explains that solid wood components have survived in structures across Florida since at least the 1880s. Beyond actual wood floors, he uses solid beam trusses, joists, subfloors, cabinets, tables, and ceiling planks as examples.
“Back in the early years of Florida, we weren’t as data and science driven as we are today. Wood science and product technologies have improved vastly such that there is no reason NOT to have real hardwood floors, particularly solid hardwood floors, here in Florida,” says Hall.
Educating the end-user is key, according to Rob Mercier with Walk on Wood Inc., which is located in Winter Park. He believes much of the perception that solid wood floors are not suitable for Florida stems from past failures caused by improper installation or poor environmental control, rather than an inherent flaw in the material itself.
“When wood flooring is approached as a complete system, including proper subfloor preparation, moisture management, material selection, and installation methods, it can perform extremely well in this climate,” says Mercier. “By taking the time to compare different flooring options and explaining how each system behaves, we help clients make informed decisions with realistic expectations.”
HUMIDITY
Florida State University’s Florida Climate Center documents that Orlando has an annual average humidity value of 88 percent in the morning and 55 percent in the afternoon. It’s no surprise that Florida ranks second in the top 10 states for relative humidity (RH). Andy Campbell is president of DNA Floor Surgeons Inc., an inspection company based in Bradenton. He says if wood flooring is acclimated properly, the humidity is not much of an issue.
“If it’s not acclimated properly, then it always can be a continuous fight,” shares Campbell. “For engineered wood flooring, it’s not as big of a deal. As long as they monitor it or they acclimate it to what the home or building is going to be subjected to for the balance of its life, the wood flooring will be fine.”
Hall says the most important thing to keep in mind with humidity is control and stability. “I describe a thought experiment about putting a wood floor in a humidor. As long as the wood floor planks are acclimated properly to the required 70 percent beforehand, the floor always will remain flat until it is removed from the humidor. Then the wood HAS to do what it does…reacclimatize and change dimensionally to its new environment,” he explains.
Mercier notes that newly installed wood floors particularly are sensitive to large swings
in indoor relative humidity. “In Florida homes, those fluctuations can be more extreme due to the higher humidity levels,” he says. “We emphasize to our clients the importance of maintaining a stable indoor environment and reinforce that consistency within the home’s envelope is critical to long-term performance.” That consistency, he adds, factors more heavily than any specific humidity number.
UNIQUE CONSIDERATIONS
As there is plenty of sunshine to let into homes in Florida, Hall says architectural features like floor-to-ceiling glass can increase the temperature. “This makes the system run longer and dehumidify more, lowering the RH even further than our normal range. Between the low RH and the heat off the glass, wood floor issues like shrinking in solid wood floors and dry cupping/face checking in engineered wood floors can still happen.”
Goldstein adds that it can be a challenge to coat in direct sunlight. “It is important to cover large floor-to-ceiling windows throughout the installation, sanding, and finishing process,” he explains. “Floors in direct sunlight will become much hotter than adjoining materials in the shade.”
Further, during the summer months, intense heat can add another layer to that process. “Constant HVAC operation creates high airflow conditions that significantly can affect finish application and dry times,” says Mercier. “In winter, cooler temperatures combined with elevated humidity can slow curing, particularly since HVAC systems are temperature-driven rather than humidity-driven.”
A 2024 analysis by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration showed Florida as the state that has been hit the most by hurricanes (now more than 120) since 1851. However, Hall says repairing floors after those storms isn’t too different from when a
roof leaks or a flood happens anywhere else.
“Periodic hurricane restoration work introduces logistical challenges, as homeowners often are displaced and seeking accelerated timelines,” shares Mercier. “In those situations, careful planning and a disciplined, systematic approach are essential to delivering quality results across multiple projects simultaneously.”
As with any repair after a storm, Goldstein notes it is all about the moisture content of both the finished flooring and the subfloor. “No sanding work should be done on a cupped floor until the wood has returned to its equilibrium moisture content (EMC),” he says. “This also is true in cases where weaving in new material is needed.”
Florida Fast Facts
- Population: 23 Million
- Capital: Tallahassee
- Largest City: Jacksonville
- Acres of Forest Land: 16.9 Million
- Forest and Logging Jobs: 9,587
- Nickname: The Sunshine State
- State Tree: Sabal palmetto
TREE HISTORY
A bald cypress tree known as “The Senator” was once the oldest tree in Florida. Located at Big Tree Park in Longwood (just north of Orlando), it was believed to have been more than 3,500 years old when it was destroyed by arson in 2012. Another cypress named “Lady Liberty,” which is located in the same park, now holds the title and is estimated to be more than 2,000 years old.
While the longleaf pine used to cover much of Florida, extensive logging, among other things, brought these trees to near extinction as they were reduced to less than five percent of their original range. Restoration efforts are underway across Florida to reestablish longleaf pine habitats.
SPECIAL PROJECTS
Each of the wood flooring professionals interviewed for this story were asked to
highlight a memorable project they were involved with in Florida. For Campbell, it was a 100-year-old home in downtown Orlando. New owners completely had redone the home, including replacing the windows and roof, reinsulating the rafters, and insulating the joists and bottom of the subfloor on which the 2¼” strip solid oak flooring had been, likely since the home was built.
“They tried to modernize this old home by making it airtight. The home was used to having leaky windows, leaky doors, leaky rafters, and a leaky subfloor. Then all the floors cupped and buckled,” recalls Campbell. “I had to work with the builder, the A/C company, and everyone who was involved in the home. I spent a couple of weeks investigating all of these
things and put together a report. They still had to remove boards that were not able to go back in, sand and stain the floor, and refinish.”
Goldstein built a custom octagon floor out of unfinished Brazilian cherry planks in a multi-million-dollar home on a private island in the Florida Keys.
One that stands out for Mercier is a current project where a family is building an exact replica of their Montana home in the Orlando area. “The flooring includes a custom parquet design that we are recreating by coordinating closely with their Montana builder,” he explains. “Every dimension, margin, and transition is being matched carefully to ensure the
layout and flow are consistent with the original home.”
Hall reflected on a rare commercial/hospitality job last year for Nobu Manalapan, which led to more than floors. “It is a high-end restaurant. We ended up fabricating a set of 25’ floating shelves and a complete sushi counter/bar in solid Indonesian Teak.”
IGNITE YOUR PASSION AT EXPO
Florida-based NWFA members are glad to have this year’s Expo close to home. Goldstein has attended the annual event regularly, describing it as a family reunion.
Campbell says the Expo is a can’t-miss event: “I like seeing everybody I know. After being on the NWFA Certified Professionals Board for years, I’ve met a lot of people, and I like to trade war-stories.”
With a variety of receptions, education sessions, and special events, there are more than 40 opportunities to network throughout the event. It’s one of the reasons Mercier attends each
year. “The Expo is a great opportunity to reconnect with industry colleagues, stay current with best practices, and see new product and equipment demonstrations firsthand,” he shares.
The trade show will be open for 11 hours, giving attendees the chance to check out the latest and greatest products and services. Along with more than 50 sessions showcasing new techniques and tips on how to run a more efficient business.
“For our industry, it is the best opportunity to see and try products, hear about the latest technologies or product improvements, speak directly to manufacturers of your favorite
floors, and meet like-minded wood floor people to network with,” says Hall. “I always am excited to see my extended wood floor family.”
SIGHTSEEING IN THE SUNSHINE STATE
Everyone knows about Florida’s beaches and Orlando’s theme parks. Here, local NWFA members offer additional recommendations of what to see and do should you decide to add on some days to your Expo trip.
“Try to make it to Cape Canaveral on the Space Coast.” – Bob Goldstein, Vermont Natural Coatings
“Since we are in theme park central, any park is a good option. If you are into historic sites, a day trip to St. Augustine is good. Beaches on either side of the peninsula are waiting for
you. There also are loads of scuba and snorkling sites on the east coast. Plus, we
have flat boat fishing and deep-sea fishing opportunities.” – Lenny Hall, Endurance
Floor Company Inc.
“If someone is a history buff, rent a car and go to St. Augustine, since it’s the oldest city in our nation. If you just want to spend time with the kids, then you’re in the perfect place in Orlando to go to Disney or Universal Studios.” – Andy Campbell, DNA Floor Surgeons Inc.
“A visit to NASA/Kennedy Space Center. Universal Studios Orlando’s Epic Universe (ideally
with express passes because the lines for the rides can be one hour or more). Take an
air boat ride, which always is a unique way to see Florida’s natural wetlands.” – Rob Mercier, Walk on Wood Inc
Libby White Johnston is the publisher of Hardwood Floors magazine. She can be reached at
libby.johnston@nwfa.org.