If you’re wondering whether bamboo flooring can handle Florida’s famously humid climate, the answer is a resounding: Heck yes, it can!
In fact, bamboo flooring doesn’t just handle Florida — it thrives in it. Like a flamingo in a mangrove or an alligator in a sunhat, bamboo is right at home in warm, humid environments.
Let’s unpack why bamboo flooring is one of the best options for the Sunshine State.
🌿 Humidity + Bamboo = A Natural Match
Bamboo is a tropical grass. That’s right — it’s not actually wood, but it performs a lot like it (and even better in some ways). The bamboo plant naturally thrives in warm, humid climates, just like the one Florida delivers year-round. So when it’s turned into flooring, it still retains some of that tropical DNA.
Florida’s humidity may scare off other hardwoods, but bamboo just kicks off its sandals and makes itself comfortable.
💧 Why Stable Humidity Is a Big Deal
All hardwood flooring (and bamboo too) is hygroscopic, which means it absorbs and releases moisture to match the environment. This can cause expansion and contraction.
But here’s where Florida shines 🌞:
Consistent upper-range humidity year-round
Less fluctuation = less movement
Fewer gaps, cracks, or cupping issues
In other words, your bamboo flooring is less likely to act out when the weather swings, because… in Florida, the weather doesn’t swing that much. Humidity throughout Floriday typically hovers in the same comfortable range all year long.
💡 Tips for Installing Bamboo Flooring in Humid Areas
Even though bamboo flooring loves Florida, proper installation is still key:
✅ Acclimate the Floor For 5 Days Before Installation
Let the planks sit in your home for 5 days before installation to allow them to adjust to local conditions.
✅ Use the Right Moisture Barrier
Installation in humid areas is often over a concrete slab or other moisture prone sub-floor. If floating your floor, a 3-in-1 moisture-barrier underlayment helps keep humidity from seeping up from below. If gluing a floor down, ensure to our a vapor barrier adhesive with proper trowel and spread rate.
✅ Leave Expansion Gaps
Always leave proper expansion space around the perimeter — even in Florida, the floors will still move a little.
⚠️ What to Avoid
Don’t skip acclimation — even if the flooring loves Florida, rushing the process could cause issues later.
Avoid extreme AC use right after install — rapid drying from blasting cold air can shock the floor.
Don’t install in standing water zones (like bathrooms with poor ventilation or exterior doorways that flood)
🏆 Our Bamboo Floors Are Florida-Tested and Approved
Here at Ambient®, our bamboo flooring has been installed in Florida since 2006 — and the reviews speak for themselves. Our floors have weathered the heat, the humidity, and even the occasional “gator track” with flying colors.
Fun fact: Our floors were installed at Dry Tortugas National Park’s Visitor Center — a building that literally sits on a humid island surrounded by saltwater. If our bamboo flooring can handle that, it can handle your living room, guaranteed.
🌎 Sustainability Bonus
Bamboo is one of the most sustainable flooring materials on Earth. It grows fast, regenerates without replanting, and requires minimal pesticides. So you can enjoy your beautiful floors guilt-free.
🐊 Bottom Line: Bamboo Flooring and Florida Are a Perfect Pair
Just like key lime pie and a beach sunset, bamboo flooring and Florida go hand in hand. With its natural love of humidity, bamboo is one of the best flooring options for homes in coastal, tropical, or high-moisture areas.
Whether you’re renovating a Miami high-rise, a Key West bungalow, or your vacation rental in Sarasota, Ambient’s strand-woven bamboo flooring has your back (and your feet).
🌴 Ready to get started?
Check out our bamboo flooring collections or give us a call at (866) 710-7070 – we’d love to help you pick the perfect floor for your Florida space.
About the Author
Cheryl is our go-to guru for all things sustainable living. She’s on a mission to make your family and our planet thrive! With a heart as big as her passion for sustainability, Cheryl brings you the freshest insights on eco-friendly building products and energy efficiency. 🌱💡
And hey, did you hear about the eco-friendly lightbulb that went to therapy? It finally found its inner “enlightenment”! 😄 Join Cheryl on this green journey, where she’ll tackle your concerns with a smile and a sprinkle of eco-humor!