Royal Nova SPC Rigid-Core Plank starts at $3.99 per square foot installed in Fort Myers — a warm beige floor from Alon Floors’ Compac Collection that works equally well in a busy family home or a coastal rental property. Its rigid-core construction and random embossed texture give it the grounded, natural look of wood without the maintenance that Southwest Florida humidity demands.
Royal Nova is a practical fit for any room in the house, including bathrooms, laundry rooms, and kitchens where spills and standing water are a reality. Its 100% waterproof polymer core won’t swell or buckle on the concrete slab foundations common across Fort Myers and Cape Coral — a problem that trips up traditional hardwood in this region.
The attached 1.5 MM EVA pad softens the slab-to-foot contact and adds a measure of sound deadening. For seasonal homeowners who close up for the summer, the rigid core holds its shape through temperature and humidity swings better than many softer resilient floors, making it a reliable choice for snowbird properties along the Gulf Coast.
| Construction | 100% Waterproof Polymer Rigid Core |
|---|---|
| Plank Width | 7” |
| Plank Length | 60” |
| Thickness | 6 MM |
| Wear Layer | 20 mill wear layer |
| Attached Pad | 1.5 MM EVA |
| Installation Method | Float |
| Click System | Valinge |
| Edges | RANDOM EIR |
Flooring Queen installs Royal Nova at $3.99 per square foot, and that price covers more than just the planks going down. Included in the quote: delivery, removal of your old flooring, routine subfloor cleaning and prep, the float installation itself, new baseboards, and transition strips between rooms — plus clean-up and material haul-away when the crew is done.
A few things fall outside that flat rate. Significant subfloor leveling — common in older Southwest Florida homes where concrete has settled — is priced separately, as are stair nosing, custom inlay borders, and any unusually complex room layouts. Call Flooring Queen or schedule a free in-home measure to get a written line-item quote before committing to a budget.
Royal Nova and engineered hardwood sit in different categories when it comes to moisture and maintenance — two things that matter a lot in Southwest Florida. Royal Nova’s polymer rigid core is fully waterproof; engineered hardwood has a real wood veneer that can still cup or stain if water sits on it long enough. Royal Nova also comes in under half the installed price.
Where engineered hardwood wins: authenticity. A real wood veneer reads differently underfoot and visually, and it can often be lightly sanded and refinished once. Royal Nova cannot be refinished — when the wear layer is gone, the floor is replaced. For high-humidity rooms, ground-floor slabs, or rental properties, Royal Nova is the more practical call. For a master suite or formal living room where aesthetics are the priority and moisture is controlled, engineered hardwood is worth considering.
| Royal Nova | Engineered Hardwood | |
|---|---|---|
| Water resistance | 100% waterproof polymer core | Water-resistant surface; veneer can cup |
| Scratch resistance / wear layer | 20 mil wear layer | Varies; veneer depth limits durability |
| Comfort underfoot | Rigid core + 1.5 MM EVA pad | Slightly warmer; wood feel underfoot |
| Installed price | $3.99 / sq ft installed | ~$8.99 / sq ft installed |
| Best room | Kitchens, baths, rentals, slabs | Bedrooms, above-grade living areas |
Sweep or vacuum Royal Nova regularly — use a hard-floor setting on your vacuum rather than a rotating beater bar, which can scuff the surface over time. For mopping, a damp microfiber mop with a pH-neutral cleaner (Bona Hard-Surface Floor Cleaner works well) is all you need. Avoid steam mops entirely: the heat and pressure can compromise the click joints and the attached EVA pad. Steer clear of wax-based or oil-soap products, which leave a residue that dulls the finish and is difficult to remove without stripping the floor down to bare. For technical guidance, see the World Floor Covering Association vinyl flooring guide.
Royal Nova’s 100% waterproof polymer rigid core means standing water won’t swell or warp the plank itself. That said, water that works its way through seams and sits on the subfloor for extended periods can still cause subfloor issues — so prompt cleanup and proper installation with sealed edges matter.
Royal Nova’s 20 mil wear layer gives it solid scratch resistance against pet nails under normal household conditions — noticeably tougher than thinner 12 mil products. Accidents clean up easily since the surface doesn’t absorb liquids. High-traffic pet households should still keep nails trimmed to extend the wear layer’s life.
Royal Nova is a good match for seasonal properties. Its rigid polymer core is more dimensionally stable through humidity and temperature cycling than wood-based floors, which expand and contract significantly when a home is unoccupied and the AC is off. Keeping the thermostat set — even at 80°F — helps any floor perform better over time.
Ongoing costs for Royal Nova are minimal — no refinishing, no sealing, and no specialty equipment required. A pH-neutral hard-floor cleaner and a microfiber mop are the main recurring expenses. There are no resealing intervals or professional maintenance schedules to budget for, which makes it one of the lower-cost floors to own long-term.
A standard whole-home installation in Fort Myers typically runs two to three days depending on square footage, room count, and whether significant prep work is needed. Royal Nova’s Valinge angle-click system goes down efficiently as a float, so single-room projects can often be completed in one day. Your Flooring Queen estimator will give you a firm schedule at quote time.
Royal Nova can float over existing hard, flat surfaces in many cases — but it depends on the condition of what’s underneath. Loose, cracked, or uneven tile needs to be addressed before install, since the rigid core will telegraph any irregularities. During the in-home measure, the crew will assess your existing floor and tell you exactly what prep is needed before the first plank goes down.
Flooring Queen has installed luxury vinyl and SPC plank for homes across Lee, Collier, and Charlotte counties. Single-location accountability — our installers, our supply chain, our quote. Free in-home measure: (239) 763-0770.
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Reviewed by Jack Maya, Lead Installer at Flooring Queen — 20+ years installing flooring in Southwest Florida.
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