Marine Park, Brooklyn
Flooring for Marine Park row houses and homes
Modern Wood Flooring is a showroom at 446 Avenue P, west of Marine Park, open since 2002. Marine Park is mostly one- and two-family brick houses, many with finished basements. Solid or engineered hardwood suits the main floors, and waterproof vinyl suits the basements and any rooms on lower ground near Gerritsen Creek.
Our showroom at 446 Avenue P is about 2.5 miles from Marine Park. Get directions or call (718) 252-6177 and we’ll pull samples before you arrive.
Homes and buildings in Marine Park
Marine Park, roughly bounded by Kings Highway, Flatbush Avenue, Avenue U and Gerritsen Avenue, is named for the large city park at its center, with the salt marsh of Gerritsen Creek along one side. One of its oldest houses, the Hendrick I. Lott House, dates to 1720 and is a city landmark, but most homes are much newer.
Most of the housing is brick row houses and semi-detached homes, along with some detached houses. Many have stoops or small porches, full basements and wood-joist floors upstairs. Those upper floors are typically nailed to a board or plywood subfloor. Basements are often finished as dens, playrooms or a separate unit.
Large apartment buildings are less common here than in neighborhoods to the north, so most flooring decisions are made by owners rather than co-op boards. That gives you more freedom on products and installation methods, and it puts the moisture and subfloor checks on you and your installer.
What to plan for
- Finished basements
- Marine Park basements are below grade, and the concrete slab can carry moisture even in rooms that look dry. Solid hardwood is not suited there. Waterproof vinyl plank or tile, installed with any vapor barrier the manufacturer calls for, is the usual choice. Fix any water entry first, and test the slab as the product's instructions describe. A dehumidifier helps keep the room steady.
- Lower blocks near the creek
- Blocks closest to Gerritsen Creek and the marsh sit lower than the rest of the neighborhood. If your address is in a mapped flood zone, choose basement and ground-floor products that tolerate water or are reasonable to replace. The city's flood maps show where your house falls, and they are worth checking before you buy. Floating floors can often be lifted to dry the slab, which is harder with glue-down.
- Upgrading original floors
- Older row houses often have oak strip floors on the main level, sometimes under carpet. If they are in good shape, refinishing can be the simplest upgrade. If you want a wider plank or a new color throughout, engineered or solid wood can go over the wood subfloor once the old floor is removed or confirmed flat and secure. Watch the added height at stair nosings.
Floors that suit Marine Park
- Solid hardwoodA natural fit for main floors in brick row houses on wood joists. It nails down to the subfloor, can be refinished for decades, and suits the traditional room layouts in many Marine Park homes.Browse solid hardwood
- Engineered woodA good choice when you want wider planks or a floor that moves less with seasonal humidity. It can also go into rooms over concrete, such as a ground-level extension or a converted garage.Browse engineered wood
- Vinyl flooringThe standard pick for finished basements and lower-level units. Waterproof vinyl plank floats over the slab, tolerates moisture better than wood, and handles kids, pets and laundry areas well. It can also be replaced room by room.Browse vinyl flooring
Examples from the current catalog. We carry more than we show online.
Guides for Marine Park projects
Common questions
Do you serve Marine Park?
Yes. Our showroom is at 446 Avenue P, and we serve Marine Park and all of Brooklyn. Stop in for samples you can take home the same day.
What floor is best for a finished basement?
Waterproof vinyl plank or luxury vinyl tile rated for below-grade use. Solid hardwood is not recommended below grade.
Can new wood go over my old oak floors?
Sometimes, if the old floor is flat and firmly fastened and the added height works at doors and stairs. The new product's installation instructions say what it can go over.
Do you install?
We work with your contractor, or we can refer an installer we have worked with for more than five years. Call (718) 252-6177 for a quote within one business day.