Best Flooring for Adelaide's Climate: A Local Guide

Adelaide's climate is tough on flooring

With summer temperatures regularly hitting 35–42°C and winter overnight lows around 5°C, Adelaide's Mediterranean climate creates significant expansion and contraction challenges for flooring. Add in low humidity (often below 30% in summer) and you've got conditions that can damage the wrong product.

What works best

Hybrid flooring: The clear winner for Adelaide

Hybrid's rigid SPC core is dimensionally stable across Adelaide's temperature range. Unlike timber or standard laminate, it won't expand in heat or contract in cold. It's our most-recommended product for open-plan living areas with large glass windows that get direct sun.

Vinyl plank: Excellent for moderate conditions

LVP handles Adelaide's climate well in most situations, though very hot rooms with direct western sun exposure can cause issues with cheaper products. Stick with quality brands (Quick Step, Signature Floors) with rigid or semi-rigid cores.

Carpet: Perfect for bedrooms

Adelaide's cool winters make carpet a smart choice for bedrooms. Solution-dyed nylon (like Godfrey Hirst ranges) won't fade from sun exposure — important for west-facing rooms.

Laminate: Good with precautions

Modern laminate handles Adelaide's climate better than older products, but we recommend maintaining indoor humidity above 35% in summer (a humidifier helps) and keeping curtains closed on extreme heat days.

What to avoid

• Solid timber in uncontrolled environments — it will gap in Adelaide's dry summers

• Cheap imported vinyl near large windows — it can warp in direct heat

• Cork in high-traffic areas without UV protection — Adelaide sun will bleach it

Our recommendation

For most Adelaide homes, we recommend hybrid flooring for living areas, carpet for bedrooms, and sheet vinyl for wet areas. This combination handles our climate beautifully and maximises your budget.