Today, homeowners have many choices in flooring; however, those choices are limited when you own a home at the beach. Here are some thoughts on the subject. First of all, is the house built on a slab or is it on a block foundation? Does the house have a pool? Is it located at the beach? Is the house in a flood plain?
Why do these questions have to be considered? Let's look at wood floors...laminate wood, real wood, or engineered floors. Laminates have come a long way but generally humidity and sand will age them quicker than any other product...not recommended for slabs. Hardwoods are a wonderful choice on a golf course where you have less than sand and salt but one still has to deal with dampness. Because of the soil we have in Brunswick County, we either have sand that will not hold anything or a few inches down we have clay that holds everything. Engineered floors are another choice. The better quality ones can be refinished a few times and they give the rich look of real wood. Generally, the backing the boards are glued to are strong and will give some protection on a slab.
What about tile? Surprisingly, owners have to be careful with their choices of tile. If the home is near water where people will be in and out with damp feet, you will want to have a textured tile rather than a smooth porcelain finish. The latter is slippery and residents may incur a nasty fall. Sand can also create a wear pattern on the slick tile. Homeowners who have tried marble or granite tiled floors generally remove them on the next remodel. Because of the shifting sand, it is mandatory that a special material be used to prevent the slabs from cracking.
Do you like carpet? At the beach, it does not hold up well. The sand, the humidity, the heavy traffic...all contribute to wear and tear. If you live at the beach, you tend to have many guest, at least, six months out of the year. Carpet on a slab wears faster. One way to extend the life of the carpet is to use a high grade padding with a moisture barrier. Most owners reserve carpet for the bedrooms.
Of course, it is not unusual when an agent is reviewing property on MLS to find a combination of all three types of flooring.
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