Nantucket Engineered Hardwood starts at $8.99 per square foot installed in Fort Myers — a wide-plank oak floor from LW Flooring’s Uptown Avenue collection finished in a warm natural tone. The embossed texture and micro-bevel edge give each 9-inch plank a hand-crafted, lived-in feel without the upkeep of raw wood. It’s a straightforward choice for homeowners who want real oak character without the installation constraints of solid hardwood.
Nantucket is built for glue-down installation, which makes it a practical fit for Southwest Florida’s concrete slab foundations — the adhesive bond keeps planks stable even as indoor humidity swings between air-conditioned winters and humid summers. The polyurethane finish adds a moisture-resistant surface layer, though glue-down engineered hardwood isn’t waterproof; it performs best in living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms, and open-plan areas rather than bathrooms or laundry rooms.
The 9-inch width and 60-inch length mean fewer seams across large rooms, and the natural oak color reads well in the bright, coastal light common throughout the Fort Myers and Cape Coral area. Seasonal homeowners will appreciate that a properly glued slab installation holds its position better during the temperature cycling of a home left vacant for months at a time.
| Plank Width | 9” |
|---|---|
| Plank Length | 60” |
| Thickness | 2.0mm |
| Wear Layer | 12 mil |
| Finish | Polyurethane |
| Species | Oak |
Flooring Queen installs Nantucket at $8.99 per square foot, a flat rate that covers material delivery, removal of your existing floor covering, adhesive, installation, baseboards, and transition strips — plus cleanup and disposal of the old material. There are no hidden labor charges for standard residential jobs.
Certain conditions add to that base price: significant slab leveling beyond routine prep, stair nosing, or custom layout patterns like herringbone. Contact us for a free in-home measurement; we walk the space, note any subfloor concerns, and hand you a written quote before any work is scheduled so you know the full number up front.
Shoppers who want oak flooring often consider solid hardwood alongside engineered. Solid hardwood can be sanded and refinished more times over its life — typically three to five full sandings versus the more limited refinishing potential of engineered — and it carries its own prestige. But solid hardwood expands and contracts more dramatically with humidity changes, making it a poor match for Southwest Florida’s climate and concrete slab foundations.
Nantucket’s glue-down engineered construction keeps the floor dimensionally stable in high-humidity conditions where solid oak would likely gap or cup. Solid hardwood also generally costs more to install and requires a wood subfloor in most cases. If you’re on a slab or have humidity concerns, Nantucket is the more practical choice; if you have a wood subfloor and plan a multi-decade refinishing program, solid hardwood has an edge.
| Nantucket | Solid Hardwood | |
|---|---|---|
| Water resistance | Polyurethane surface; not waterproof | Surface-sealed only; same limitation |
| Scratch resistance / wear layer | 12 mil polyurethane finish | Varies; thicker wear possible |
| Comfort underfoot | Real oak; firm, warm feel | Real oak; similar feel |
| Installed price | $8.99 per sq ft installed | Typically $10–$14+ per sq ft |
| Best room | Slab-on-grade living areas | Wood subfloor above grade |
Sweep or vacuum Nantucket regularly using a hard-floor setting — avoid beater-bar attachments, which can scuff the polyurethane finish over time. For damp mopping, use a hardwood-specific cleaner such as Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner or a similarly pH-balanced product; never use a steam mop, as the heat and moisture can penetrate seams and compromise the adhesive bond beneath glue-down installations. Wipe up spills promptly rather than letting liquid sit. Acidic cleaners, oil soaps, and ammonia-based products should be avoided entirely, as they dull the polyurethane finish and can leave residue that attracts dirt. For technical guidance, see the National Wood Flooring Association consumer hardwood information.
LW Flooring recommends acclimating Nantucket for at least 48 hours inside your home before installation begins. In Southwest Florida, where indoor humidity can vary significantly between seasons, giving the planks time to adjust to your specific interior conditions helps prevent gapping or cupping after the adhesive sets.
Nantucket’s 12 mil polyurethane wear layer is thinner than the 20+ mil layers found on some engineered products, so full sanding and refinishing is generally not recommended — it carries a real risk of sanding through to the core. Screen-and-recoat (a light buff and new finish coat) may be possible once, but consult a professional before attempting it.
Nantucket uses a glue-down, dryback installation method, which means it bonds directly to the subfloor rather than floating on top. Whether existing tile or vinyl can stay depends on how level and firmly bonded that surface is — high spots, loose tiles, or thick grout lines may need to be addressed first. We assess that during your in-home measurement.
Glue-down engineered hardwood handles seasonal vacancy better than floating floors because the adhesive bond prevents planks from shifting during temperature and humidity cycles. That said, leaving your HVAC set to maintain indoor humidity between 35–55% while you’re away is strongly recommended — uncontrolled conditions can still cause wood movement over months.
Nantucket is well-suited for living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms, and hallways on concrete slab — exactly the layout most common in Southwest Florida homes. Skip it in bathrooms, laundry rooms, or any space where standing water is a regular risk, as the glue-down engineered construction is moisture-resistant at the surface but not designed for wet-area exposure.
A single room typically takes one to two days once the adhesive cure time is factored in — glue-down installations require the floor to be left undisturbed while the adhesive sets. A full home of 1,500–2,000 square feet generally runs three to five days depending on subfloor conditions and room count. We confirm the schedule after the on-site measure.
Engineered hardwood is the only wood we recommend over SWFL slabs, and we install it every week. Our team handles substrate moisture testing, layout, install, and trim from one source. Written installed quote: (239) 763-0770.
Continue exploring:
Considering a different material?
Reviewed by Jack Maya, Lead Installer at Flooring Queen — 20+ years installing flooring in Southwest Florida.
Let’s Discuss Your Flooring Project Today
