Russet SPC Rigid-Core Plank starts at $3.99 per square foot installed in Fort Myers — a warm caramel-toned floor from Alon Floors’ Optimux Collection that reads like real hardwood without any of the moisture concerns. The 7.5 mm rigid core and attached IXPE pad make it a practical choice for Southwest Florida homes where humidity and concrete slabs are the norm. It’s a workhorse floor with genuine visual warmth.
Russet was designed for the conditions Fort Myers homeowners actually live with: slab-on-grade construction, coastal humidity, and the kind of temperature swings that come with running AC all summer and leaving a house empty half the year. The 100% waterproof polymer core won’t swell or buckle if a pipe drips behind a wall or a pet bowl overflows.
The 28-mil wear layer puts it firmly in commercial-grade territory, which means it holds up in rental properties, vacation homes, and high-traffic main living areas equally well. The EIR edge profile adds tactile realism and helps mask the fine sandy grit that gets tracked in from Southwest Florida’s beaches.
| Construction | 100% Waterproof Polymer Rigid Core |
|---|---|
| Plank Width | 7” |
| Plank Length | 48” |
| Thickness | 7.5 MM |
| Wear Layer | 28 mill wear layer |
| Attached Pad | 2 MM IXPE |
| Installation Method | Float |
| Click System | Valinge |
| Edges | EIR |
Flooring Queen installs Russet at $3.99 per square foot, all-in for most standard projects. That price covers removal of your existing floor covering, subfloor inspection and minor prep work, installation of the planks using the Valinge angle-click system, new baseboards, transition strips between rooms, and cleanup and disposal of the old material.
Upcharges apply when conditions go beyond the routine — significant floor leveling, stair nosing installation, diagonal or herringbone layouts, or custom border work add to the base price. Call or schedule a free in-home measurement and we’ll walk through the full scope with you before any work begins, so the written quote reflects exactly what your project needs.
Shoppers drawn to Russet’s caramel hardwood look often price out engineered hardwood at the same time. Engineered hardwood is a legitimate floor — real wood veneer, refinishable once or twice, and warmer underfoot in cooler climates. But in Southwest Florida, where slabs are common and humidity is relentless, the moisture tolerance gap matters. Russet’s rigid polymer core is fully waterproof; engineered hardwood is moisture-resistant at best and can still cup or gap with seasonal humidity swings.
Engineered hardwood also runs meaningfully higher on installed price and requires more careful subfloor prep to hit the flatness tolerances wood demands. If authenticity of grain and the ability to sand and refinish matter more than budget and waterproofing, engineered hardwood wins. If durability, waterproofing, and cost efficiency are the priority, Russet is the stronger fit for this climate.
| Russet | Engineered Hardwood | |
|---|---|---|
| Water resistance | 100% waterproof rigid core | Moisture-resistant; can cup in humidity |
| Scratch resistance / wear layer | 28-mil commercial-grade wear layer | Depends on veneer thickness; scratchable |
| Comfort underfoot | 2 mm IXPE pad attached; firm | Slightly softer; real wood feel |
| Installed price | $3.99 / sq ft installed | ~$8.99 / sq ft installed |
| Best room | Any room, including wet areas | Living areas; avoid wet rooms |
Keep Russet clean with a pH-neutral hard-surface cleaner — Bona’s Stone, Tile & Laminate formula or a diluted Simple Green solution both work well. Sweep or dust-mop daily in sandy, high-traffic areas; fine grit is the most common cause of surface wear over time. Avoid steam mops entirely — the heat and moisture can compromise the click joints and the attached pad. Never use wax, oil-based polish, or abrasive scrubbers on the wear layer. A vacuum on hard-floor mode (no beater bar) is safe for routine cleaning. For technical guidance, see the World Floor Covering Association vinyl flooring guide.
Russet has a 100% waterproof polymer rigid core, meaning standing water on the surface won’t damage the plank itself. That said, water that sits long enough to work under baseboards or into seams can reach the subfloor, so prompt cleanup of large spills or leaks is still smart practice.
The 28-mil wear layer on Russet is rated for commercial use, which means everyday dog scratches from normal activity won’t cut through it. Pet accidents clean up easily without staining or odor absorption since the core is fully waterproof. Nails on larger, heavier breeds may leave faint marks over time, but this is one of the more pet-tolerant options at this price point.
A single room typically takes one day; a whole home usually runs two to four days depending on square footage, layout complexity, and how much subfloor work is needed. Russet uses Valinge angle-click, a straightforward floating system, so it doesn’t slow installers down the way glue-down or nail-down methods can.
SPC (stone plastic composite) has a denser, more rigid core than traditional LVP, which makes it more resistant to denting, more dimensionally stable under temperature swings, and better suited for concrete slabs. Russet is SPC. Standard LVP can feel softer and flex slightly more underfoot, which some people prefer, but it’s more vulnerable to indentation from heavy furniture.
At 7 inches wide and 48 inches long, Russet’s planks read as full-scale hardwood rather than the narrower strips that can make a floor look dated. Wider planks show more of the caramel wood grain per board, reduce the number of seams in a room, and tend to make mid-size and larger rooms feel more open. In smaller rooms, the fewer seams can also simplify the layout.
Alon Floors does not publish specific warranty terms in the product data available for Russet, which is worth confirming before purchase. SPC rigid-core planks in this category typically carry manufacturer warranties covering manufacturing defects and wear-layer performance — ask our team for the current warranty documentation so you have it in writing before your project starts.
When you buy LVP from Flooring Queen, our crew handles delivery, tear-out, prep, install, and trim — no subs, no surprises. One showroom in Fort Myers, one team accountable from quote to final baseboard. Call (239) 763-0770 for a free measure.
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Reviewed by Jack Maya, Lead Installer at Flooring Queen — 20+ years installing flooring in Southwest Florida.
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