Brighton Beach, Brooklyn

Flooring for Brighton Beach apartments and condos

Modern Wood Flooring is a showroom at 446 Avenue P, north of Brighton Beach, open since 2002. Brighton Beach is mostly six-story prewar apartment buildings plus newer oceanfront condos, all on concrete slabs. Engineered wood and vinyl plank over a sound-rated underlayment suit most units, and waterproof vinyl suits ground floors near the water.

Our showroom at 446 Avenue P is about 2 miles from Brighton Beach. Get directions or call (718) 252-6177 and we’ll pull samples before you arrive.

Homes and buildings in Brighton Beach

Brighton Beach is dominated by apartment buildings, many of them built in the 1930s. Six-story elevator buildings line Brightwater Court and the streets nearby, and many units are rent-regulated. The elevator buildings sit on concrete slabs, and many still have steam heat and original parquet in at least some rooms. Brighton Beach Avenue runs under the elevated train, with stores at street level and apartments above.

Newer construction includes Oceana, an oceanfront condominium complex built in the early 2000s. Older freestanding houses and former summer bungalows survive in small numbers, some subdivided over the years. The condos tend to have larger rooms and newer subfloors, while many of the older houses are small frame buildings at or near street level.

Nearly everything sits close to the beach and the boardwalk on low ground, and the neighborhood flooded during Hurricane Sandy in 2012. That shapes flooring choices on lower floors more than anywhere else on this list.

What to plan for

Flood risk on lower floors: Ground-floor apartments, lobbies and basements here are the most exposed to flooding. Waterproof vinyl plank or tile tolerates water better than wood, though after a real flood most floors still need to come up so the subfloor can dry. If you own a ground-floor unit, choose a product that is reasonable to replace. Floating floors can often be lifted to dry the slab, which is harder with glue-down.
Sand, salt and humidity: Sand tracked in from the beach scratches finishes, and summer humidity off the ocean is high. Use entry mats, sweep often and pick a durable finish or wear layer. For wood floors, keep indoor humidity within the manufacturer's range with air conditioning or a dehumidifier in summer and some humidification in winter. On vinyl, check the wear layer, since a thicker one handles grit better.
Condo and co-op rules: Condo and co-op buildings usually have alteration rules covering approval, insurance, work hours and sound-control underlayment, and deliveries often need an elevator reservation. Get the building's requirements in writing first so the floor, underlayment and delivery plan all fit them. It saves a second round of approvals. Some buildings also ask for floor protection in the halls and elevator while work is underway.

Floors that suit Brighton Beach

Vinyl flooringThe practical pick for ground-floor units, kitchens and rentals. Waterproof vinyl plank resists water and sand scratches better than most wood floors, and many products work with the sound underlayments buildings require.Browse vinyl flooring
Engineered woodGood for upper-floor apartments and condos where you want real wood. It floats or glues over the slab and moves less than solid wood with humid summers by the ocean.Browse engineered wood
Luxury vinyl tileSuits entries, bathrooms and kitchens where water and sand come through the door. Tile-format vinyl gives a stone look without the weight or cold of ceramic over a slab, and it cleans easily.Browse luxury vinyl tile