Engineered hardwood can definitely be a safer bet near the coast, especially if humidity's a concern. I've used it in a couple beach house projects, and it held up surprisingly well—less warping and cupping compared to solid wood. Just make sure you go for something with a thicker wear layer; it'll handle moisture fluctuations better. Still, nothing's totally foolproof...good ventilation and humidity control are key no matter what flooring you pick.
Totally agree on the engineered hardwood—good call. I redid a friend's beach cottage a few years back, and we went with a thicker wear layer too. Honestly, it's held up great, even with kids tracking in sand and wet towels everywhere... ventilation really is your best friend here.
"Honestly, it's held up great, even with kids tracking in sand and wet towels everywhere... ventilation really is your best friend here."
Yeah, ventilation is key for sure. I learned that the hard way when renovating a small beach rental a while back. Thought I'd save a bit by skipping some extra venting in the bathrooms—big mistake. Ended up dealing with mold issues within the first year. Lesson learned: cutting corners on airflow at the beach is never worth it. Glad your engineered hardwood choice worked out though, sounds solid.
You know, ventilation definitely matters, but honestly I'd argue materials choice might be even more critical. I renovated my parents' place near the coast a couple years ago—went all-in on venting (bathroom fans, extra windows, you name it), but skimped a little on flooring and paint quality. Thought we could get away with cheaper laminate and standard interior paint since airflow was so good... big nope. Within two summers, humidity had warped some of the floorboards and started peeling paint off the walls in spots.
Ended up redoing half the work we'd already finished, which wasn't exactly fun or budget-friendly. So yeah, ventilation's important for sure, but don't underestimate investing upfront in moisture-resistant or marine-grade materials for surfaces. Just something to consider before finalizing your budget—you'll thank yourself later when you're not repainting walls every other year or dealing with warped floors.
Good points about materials, but honestly, even the best marine-grade stuff won't save you if the underlying moisture control isn't addressed. I've seen expensive hardwood buckle because of hidden condensation issues... it's all about balance and tackling humidity at its source.
