Flooring
The right floor depends on the room more than the catalog. We look at where it’s going, what’s underneath and how the space is used before recommending a material.
What’s included
- Removal of old flooring
- Subfloor repair and leveling
- Porcelain, ceramic and natural stone tile
- Solid hardwood and engineered wood
- Luxury vinyl plank (LVP)
- Carpet
- Transitions and thresholds between rooms
- Baseboards and shoe molding
Eight things that decide the right floor
We weigh these before recommending anything.
Location
Kitchens, bathrooms, entries and bedrooms each ask something different of a floor. Below-grade rooms add limits of their own.
Moisture
Bathrooms, laundry areas and basements need materials that tolerate water. Solid wood doesn’t belong in wet rooms.
Foot traffic
Entries, hallways, stairs and kitchens take the most wear. Harder surfaces and tougher finishes last longer there.
Maintenance
Stone needs sealing, wood can be refinished, and porcelain and LVP need little beyond cleaning.
What’s underneath
Concrete, plywood, old tile or old planks: the substrate decides how flat the floor can be made and what will stay put.
Design
Plank width, tile size, pattern and the way rooms meet all change how a space reads.
Budget
Material price is only part of it. Subfloor prep, removal and pattern work can cost more than the flooring.
How you use the room
Kids, pets, rolling chairs, a home gym or a rental unit should all shape the choice.
Who it’s for
- Homeowners replacing worn or damaged floors
- Kitchens and bathrooms being remodeled
- Apartments that need quieter floors for the neighbors below
- Basements and below-grade rooms
Materials compared
No material is best everywhere. Here’s where each one works, and what to watch for.
Porcelain and ceramic tile
Works wellKitchens, bathrooms and entries. Water-resistant and durable.
Watch forHard and cool underfoot; needs a flat, stiff substrate; grout needs care.
Marble
Works wellBathrooms and formal rooms where its look matters.
Watch forEtches and scratches; needs periodic sealing; polished marble is slippery when wet.
Granite
Works wellEntries and hard-used areas. Very hard-wearing.
Watch forNeeds sealing; heavy; polished finishes are slippery when wet.
Solid hardwood
Works wellLiving rooms and bedrooms. Can be refinished more than once.
Watch forMoves with humidity; not for bathrooms or below grade.
Engineered wood
Works wellOver concrete, and where solid wood would move too much.
Watch forThe wear layer limits refinishing, and quality varies widely.
Luxury vinyl plank
Works wellKitchens, basements and rentals. Water-resistant surface.
Watch forCan dent under heavy furniture; can’t be refinished; needs a flat subfloor.
Carpet
Works wellBedrooms and stairs, and anywhere quiet matters.
Watch forHolds dust and stains; not for wet areas.
In apartment buildings
Many co-ops and condos require an acoustic underlayment under hard floors, and many leases require most of each room to be covered by rugs, often 80 percent. Check your alteration agreement before choosing a material.
Our approach
Look at the room and what’s under it
Substrate, heights at doorways, and how the rooms connect.
Check moisture where it matters
Concrete slabs and below-grade rooms are tested before wood or vinyl goes down.
Prepare the subfloor
Repairs, leveling and fastening, so the new floor stays flat and quiet.
Acclimate materials that need it
Wood products rest in the space before installation, as the manufacturer specifies.
Install
With transitions planned at every doorway.
Trim and walk through
Baseboards and shoe molding, cleanup, and a walkthrough with you.
Good to know
- Prep is most of the job.
- It decides whether a floor cracks, squeaks or shows uneven edges, and it’s the part you won’t see.
- Height adds up.
- New flooring over old raises the floor, so doors, thresholds and appliances may need adjusting.
- Water-resistant isn’t waterproof.
- Most LVP resists water at the surface, but water can get under edges and transitions.
- Keep a few extra.
- A small reserve from the same batch makes future repairs match.
Questions
Can new flooring go over my old floor?
Sometimes. It depends on how flat and solid the old floor is, the added height at doors and transitions, and the new material’s requirements.
Is LVP waterproof?
The surface is water-resistant, but water can still get underneath through edges and transitions. In wet rooms, how the edges are detailed matters.
Do I need an acoustic underlayment?
In many apartment buildings, yes. Your alteration agreement or house rules will say.
Hardwood or engineered wood?
Solid hardwood can be refinished more times. Engineered wood is more stable over concrete and in rooms with humidity swings. The room usually decides.
Floors in New York homes
Prewar buildings often have old plank or parquet floors over uneven joists, and concrete slabs are common in newer ones. Both change what can go down and how it has to be prepared.
Choosing a floor?
Request a consultation and we’ll look at the room, check what’s underneath, and walk through options that fit. Or call (718) 866-3350