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Kentucky homes deal with one constant: humidity swings. Winters dry the air out, summers bring heavy moisture, and many older houses have uneven or inconsistent subfloors. Your flooring has to handle all of that without warping, swelling, or looking worn out after one season. At Andriots.com, we help homeowners across Shelbyville, Simpsonville, Louisville, and surrounding areas choose flooring that actually works in real Kentucky conditions—not just in a showroom.
Below is a clear look at what performs best in Kentucky homes, where it works, and which products are worth considering.
For most Kentucky homes, luxury vinyl plank is the safest, most versatile option. It works especially well in kitchens, basements, high-traffic rooms, rentals, and busy family homes. Quality LVP from brands like Coretec and Shaw is built to stay stable through humidity swings, so it won’t swell, cup, or gap when the seasons change.
Because LVP is waterproof, it handles concrete slabs, crawlspace homes, and older, less-than-perfect subfloors without complaint. It’s also highly scratch-resistant and stands up well to kids, pets, and everyday wear. Installation is typically more affordable than many hardwood options, which is one reason LVP has become the #1 flooring choice across Kentucky.
Basements, lower levels, and areas with big temperature swings are where LVP really shines. If you want something that simply doesn’t care about moisture, LVP is usually the first recommendation.
If you want the warmth and character of real hardwood but live in a home that isn’t perfectly climate controlled, engineered hardwood is often the smart compromise. It’s ideal for living rooms, dining rooms, and primary bedrooms—spaces where you want that classic Kentucky hardwood look without the ongoing battle against humidity.
Engineered wood from brands like Mullican, Bella Cera, Somerset, and select lines from Anderson Tuftex uses a multi‑ply core that makes it far more stable than traditional solid hardwood. It still looks and feels like real wood because it is, but it’s less prone to cupping in humid summers and gapping in dry winters.
If your home has some seasonal swings but you don’t want to give up on the hardwood look, engineered wood is usually the safest way to get there.
Solid hardwood is still a strong option in Kentucky, as long as the home has stable HVAC and proper humidity control. When the conditions are right, solid wood offers a long lifespan, the ability to be refinished multiple times, and excellent resale value. It’s also a natural fit for older Kentucky homes where traditional hardwood has always been part of the look.
Brands like Somerset, Mullican, and Bella Cera offer solid hardwood lines with classic finishes that complement historic and traditional architecture.
The tradeoff is movement. Solid hardwood expands and contracts with the seasons. In homes that get very humid in summer and very dry in winter, you can expect some gapping, cupping, or seasonal separation unless a humidifier/dehumidifier system keeps things in check. If your interior conditions are stable, solid hardwood can still be a great long‑term investment. If not, engineered wood is usually safer.
In bathrooms, laundry rooms, mudrooms, and other high‑moisture areas, tile remains one of the most reliable options. It’s naturally waterproof, extremely durable, and doesn’t react much to temperature or humidity changes, which makes it a good fit for tricky areas in Kentucky homes.
The one downside is comfort. Tile can feel cold underfoot in the winter, so many homeowners either pair it with radiant heat or limit it to truly wet areas while using LVP or engineered hardwood elsewhere. But if water is the main concern, tile is hard to beat.
Carpet is still the go‑to choice for bedrooms, bonus rooms, and media rooms—anywhere you want warmth, softness, and noise reduction. It helps quiet older, creaky subfloors and adds a layer of insulation during cold Kentucky winters.
Premium carpet lines from Shaw, Anderson Tuftex, and Stanton offer a wide range of textures and styles, from plush traditional looks to more tailored, patterned options. These brands are especially popular for homeowners who want a more upscale feel in bedrooms or upstairs spaces without sacrificing comfort.
Where carpet struggles is anywhere moisture might become an issue—basements, damp lower levels, or areas with possible leaks. In those spaces, moisture‑resistant hard surfaces are usually a better bet.
Basements in Kentucky are almost always below grade and usually sit on concrete slabs that can wick moisture over time. That changes the flooring conversation.
The safest options for Kentucky basements are typically:
Solid hardwood and carpet are generally not recommended in most basements unless the space is fully waterproofed, consistently dry, and well-controlled for humidity. Even then, LVP from brands like Coretec and Shaw usually remains the lower‑risk choice.
Many older homes in areas like Shelbyville, Simpsonville, and Louisville come with their own set of challenges: uneven subfloors, crawlspaces, seasonal gaps, and mixed floor heights from past renovations.
In these situations, products that can tolerate minor imperfections and movement perform best. LVP, engineered hardwood, and carpet are usually the most forgiving options. Carpet from Stanton, Shaw, or Anderson Tuftex can help smooth out older subfloors, while LVP and engineered wood can bridge small irregularities with the right prep work.
Ultra‑rigid materials that require a perfectly flat and fully climate‑controlled environment are more likely to cause problems over time unless the subfloor is corrected first.
Homes built on a concrete slab need flooring that plays nicely with that surface. LVP has almost zero issues on slab, which is another reason it’s so popular in Kentucky. Glue‑down engineered hardwood and tile are also strong options when properly installed with appropriate moisture barriers and adhesives.
Solid hardwood shouldn’t go directly on slab without a proper subfloor system in place. Skipping that step usually leads to long‑term moisture issues and movement.
There isn’t one answer that fits every house, but there are clear front‑runners:
Most Kentucky homeowners end up with a mix:
Andriots combines real‑world experience with products that are proven to handle Kentucky’s climate. Whether you’re comparing Coretec vs. Shaw LVP, deciding between engineered and solid hardwood from Mullican, Somerset, or Bella Cera, or looking for premium carpet from Stanton or Anderson Tuftex, we can help you match the right material to your home, subfloor, and lifestyle.
If you’re ready for accurate pricing, material samples, and practical installation advice for Kentucky conditions, reach out to Andriots—we’ll help you choose flooring that looks good and survives real life here.
