What I Wish Brooklyn Homeowners Knew Before Starting a Flooring Project
Presented by Floorika Fine Hardwood
My name is Olesia, and I’ve spent over a decade working in the flooring industry. Two and a half years ago, I opened a small neighborhood hardwood flooring showroom in South Slope, Brooklyn. Since then, I’ve worked closely with local homeowners - many in Park Slope and surrounding neighborhoods - helping them navigate flooring decisions with clarity, realism, and long-term thinking.
When someone reaches out to me about their floors, they often start by saying something like, “I don’t really know where to start,” or “I’m probably asking the wrong questions.” And that tells me everything I need to know - they’re already feeling overwhelmed before the project has even begun.
Flooring projects in Brooklyn can feel surprisingly heavy. Not because floors are complicated by nature, but because most homes here come with history. Older buildings, uneven slabs, layered subfloors, previous repairs, and a lot of opinions from different people. By the time homeowners come to me, they’ve usually heard conflicting advice and don’t know who or what to trust.
My role isn’t just to help someone choose a material. My role is to listen, organize, explain, and create a clear plan of action - so that what felt confusing starts to feel manageable.
Slowing The Process Down
The first thing I do when someone comes to me is slow the conversation down.
We talk about the space. The building. How they live. Whether it’s a family apartment, a rental, a brownstone, or a single-floor condo. What they’re worried about. What they’ve already been told. And what they actually want the final space to feel like.
A lot of stress comes from trying to make decisions too early, without understanding the full picture. Flooring is not just a surface - it interacts with the structure underneath it, the environment around it, and the way the home is used every day.
About Subfloors And Why Clarity Matters
Subfloor issues come up constantly in Brooklyn homes. And very often, they do need to be addressed. Sometimes that means removal. Sometimes rebuilding. Sometimes leveling. That part is normal here.
I take time to explain what we’re seeing, what options exist, and how each choice affects the final result. When homeowners understand the logic behind the process, the fear disappears. It stops feeling like a mystery and starts feeling like a plan.
Flooring Selection Is Not One-size-fits-all
Another thing I see often is homeowners being advised to choose a certain type of flooring simply because it’s popular, trending, or considered “easy.”
But the truth is, the best floor depends entirely on the project.
We talk about the differences between solid wood and engineered flooring - not in abstract terms, but in real-life context. Stability, structure, environment, and long-term performance all matter. For some homes, solid wood makes perfect sense. For others, wide plank constructed as engineered flooring is the smarter, more durable option.
We also talk about pre-finished versus unfinished floors. About how each one looks, how it’s installed, how it ages, and how it fits into the overall plan for the space.
Texture, Color And How A Floor Actually Feels
Flooring isn’t just visual - it’s tactile.
Some people love a very smooth, refined surface. Others are drawn to texture - wire-brushed, more natural, more expressive. Neither is better. They simply create different moods and experiences.
Color is the same way. Light, layout, ceiling height, and furniture all influence what will work best. A tone that looks beautiful in one home can feel completely wrong in another.
I always show people the differences in person. Side by side. You can see it, touch it, compare it. That’s when decisions stop feeling abstract and start feeling intuitive.
Leaving With Clarity
By the time someone leaves a conversation with me, my goal is simple.
They feel organized.
They understand the steps.
They know what needs to happen now, what comes later, and what decisions actually matter.
Flooring projects don’t have to feel intimidating. With the right information and a thoughtful approach, they can feel calm, intentional, and even exciting.
And that’s what I believe in most - giving people clarity, confidence, and a clear path forward.
Olesia
Founder, Floorika Fine Hardwood
South Slope, Brooklyn
Thank you to Floorika Fine Hardwood!
Sponsored content like this allows Park Slope Pulse to continue delivering top-quality local coverage to our community. Your support helps fund our dedicated writers. Interested in advertising with Park Slope Pulse? Contact us to learn more about partnership opportunities.