Key takeaways
- SPC (rigid core) is waterproof and the most dimensionally stable in humidity — the safe default for tropical projects
- Laminate is hard-wearing and inexpensive but its HDF core swells if water reaches it
- Engineered wood gives a real wood surface; performance depends entirely on the core (plywood beats HDF)
- Always leave expansion gaps and use the right underlay; humidity needs room to move
- Keep spares from the same batch — floor repairs must match the original run
1. Why tropical and coastal floors fail
Wood-based floors swell and shrink with the humidity around them. When internal humidity swings from 60% to 90% across a rainy season, a floor with a wood-based core gains and loses moisture and can cup, crown or gap. The surface finish is cosmetic; the core and the installation detail decide whether the floor survives.
2. SPC (rigid core): the humidity-safe option
SPC (stone plastic composite) flooring has a mineral-PVC core that does not absorb water.
- Strengths: waterproof through the core, very stable in humidity, click-lock installation, low maintenance, good acoustic pad options.
- Weaknesses: feels cooler and harder underfoot than wood; quality varies a lot in the wear layer.
- Specify: wear-layer thickness (0.3 mm for homes, 0.5 mm+ for hotels and heavy traffic) and a UV coating.
- Where: apartments, villas, hotels, offices — the default where humidity is a risk.
3. Laminate: economical but sensitive to water
- Strengths: hard-wearing, wide decor range, low price, easy click installation.
- Weaknesses: the HDF core swells permanently if water reaches it; not suitable for bathrooms or wet rooms.
- Specify: an AC4/AC5 wear rating for commercial use and a moisture-resistant (green core) HDF for humid projects.
- Where: bedrooms and living areas in dry-to-moderately-humid interiors.
4. Engineered wood: real wood, real core matters
Engineered wood has a genuine wood veneer on a multi-layer plywood core. It looks and feels like solid wood while moving far less.
- Strengths: genuine wood surface, can be refinished, more stable than solid wood.
- Weaknesses: still a wood core — it must not flood; quality depends on the plywood layers.
- Specify: plywood (not HDF) core, a wear layer and a factory UV-oil or lacquer finish.
- Where: premium residential and hotel rooms where the client wants real wood.
5. Side-by-side comparison
| Factor | SPC | Laminate | Engineered wood |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water resistance | Waterproof core | Poor at the core | Limited |
| Humidity stability | Excellent | Moderate–poor | Good with ply core |
| Feel / look | Hard, printed | Hard, printed | Real wood |
| Refinishable | No | No | Yes |
| Cost | Low–medium | Low | Highest |
| Best for | Humid, high-traffic | Dry interiors | Premium interiors |
6. Installation: where stability is won
- Expansion gaps at every wall and around columns; the floor needs room to move.
- The right underlay — acoustic, moisture-barrier or combined per product.
- A flat, dry subfloor: never lay a floor over a wet screed.
- Transition profiles at doorways and where flooring meets tile.
7. Wet rooms, kitchens and staircases
- Bathrooms and laundry: SPC, or a waterproof tile — never laminate.
- Kitchens: SPC is the safe choice; engineered wood only with careful sealing.
- Staircases: the flooring should match the stairs; treads, risers and handrails finished to one specification (see the Flooring & Staircase category).
8. How VIGOHOME supplies flooring
VIGOHOME quotes flooring and the staircase as one system: solid and engineered wood, SPC, laminate, rubber and PVC, plus stairs, columns, balusters and guardrails in matched finishes, at the wear rating your project needs. Because it ships with the tiles and cabinetry, transitions and levels are checked against the same drawings. See the Flooring & Staircase category.
Frequently asked questions
Is SPC or laminate better for a humid climate?
SPC. Its mineral-PVC core does not absorb water, so it stays flat through humidity swings, while laminate's HDF core can swell permanently once water reaches it.
Can I use laminate flooring in a bathroom?
No. Laminate's core swells permanently on contact with standing water, so it belongs in dry interiors. Use SPC or a waterproof tile in bathrooms, laundry and other wet rooms.
What is the difference between engineered wood and solid wood?
Engineered wood has a real wood veneer bonded to a multi-layer plywood core, so it looks like solid wood but moves much less with humidity. Solid wood is a single piece of timber and is more prone to movement.
What wear layer should I specify for a hotel?
For hotel guest rooms and heavy-traffic areas, specify a wear layer of 0.5 mm or more on SPC, and an AC4 or AC5 wear rating on laminate. Homes can use 0.3 mm SPC or AC3-AC4 laminate.
Next: carry the finish upward with wall panels vs paint vs wallpaper.