Introduction: Living in Central Florida means dealing with humidity levels that often top 90%. While we love the tropical climate, your floors... not so much. If you are debating between Laminate and Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) for your Orlando home renovation, the decision often comes down to one factor: Moisture.

1. The "Swell" Factor: Why Laminate Fails in Florida

 Traditional laminate flooring is made with a wood-fiber core. In Northern states, this works fine. But in Orlando, where we run AC constanty to battle the humid air, laminate has a weakness.

• The Problem: When humidity seeps into the seams, the wood core absorbs it and expands.

• The Result: "Peaking" (where planks push up at the seams) or permanent warping.

• The "Waterproof" Myth: Many laminates claim to be "water-resistant," but that usually only applies to the top layer. If water from a pool party or a spilled drink gets to the edges, the core is still vulnerable.

2. Why LVP is the King of the Sunshine State

 Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) is engineered differently. Most high-quality LVP (like the Sunshine Home Material collection) uses a Stone Polymer Composite (SPC) core.

• 100% Waterproof: You could submerge a plank of LVP in a pool for a week, and it wouldn't change shape.

• No Expansion: Unlike wood, SPC cores don't expand and contract dramatically with temperature shifts—crucial for when you turn off the AC for winter.

3. Durability for the "Florida Lifestyle" 

We live actively here. Sand tracked in from the coast, wet dogs coming in from the pool, and heavy foot traffic require a tough "Wear Layer."

• LVP: Generally offers a commercial-grade wear layer (12mil to 20mil) that resists scratching from sand.

• Laminate: Can chip if heavy objects are dropped on it.

Conclusion: For Florida homeowners, LVP offers the look of real hardwood without the humidity headache. 407-704-8117: Shop Our Waterproof LVP Collection.