Questions
Answers, in plain terms
These are the questions clients actually ask, answered the way we would answer them on a job site. No accordions, no clicking — the answer is on the page.
Does Arpa Flooring Design work in New York City?
Yes. Our team has completed full-building hardwood installations at more than 50 buildings across Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx — as Empire until 2025 and as Arpa Flooring Design since. Named projects include One Hudson Yards, The Surrey Hotel, Madison House, 11 Howard Street and The Treadwell. The showroom is at 1809 NJ-35, Oakhurst, NJ 07755, and crews work daily throughout the five boroughs and northern New Jersey.
How much does hardwood floor installation cost in NYC?
Installation labour for a straight-lay engineered floor generally runs $3.50 to $6 per square foot in the New York metro area, before material. Herringbone and chevron run roughly two to three times that because of the cut and layout time. Subfloor leveling, demolition, furniture moving and building protection requirements are priced separately, and in a Manhattan high-rise those line items are often larger than people expect.
How long does a hardwood floor installation take?
A typical two-bedroom apartment takes three to five working days for a straight-lay floor, plus acclimation time before the crew starts. Herringbone or chevron in the same apartment takes seven to ten days. Refinishing an existing floor takes three to five days including drying time between coats.
What is the difference between solid and engineered hardwood?
Solid hardwood is one piece of wood through its full thickness. Engineered hardwood has a real hardwood wear layer bonded to a cross-laminated core, which makes it far more dimensionally stable in changing humidity. In New York apartments and over concrete slabs, engineered is usually the correct choice, and a 4mm or 6mm wear layer can still be sanded and refinished two to three times.
Can hardwood floors be installed over a concrete slab?
Yes, with engineered flooring and full-spread adhesive, after the slab passes a moisture test. In-situ relative humidity testing per ASTM F2170 is done first, because adhesive fails and flooring cups when the slab is still releasing moisture. Solid hardwood should not be glued directly to a slab.
Do I need to level my subfloor before installing hardwood?
The floor must be flat to within 3/16 of an inch over 10 feet, and tighter for wide plank. New high-rise concrete slabs frequently miss this. If the subfloor is out of tolerance the finished floor will telegraph the dips, sound hollow underfoot and eventually fail at the joints.
How long do hardwood floors need to acclimate before installation?
Three to five days on site is typical, but the number of days is not the standard — the moisture content is. Flooring should sit within 2 to 4 percentage points of the subfloor's moisture content, measured with a meter, at the temperature and humidity the space will actually be lived in. Installing to a calendar instead of a meter is the most common cause of gapping.
What is the difference between chevron and herringbone?
Herringbone boards are cut square and meet at a right angle, forming a staggered zigzag. Chevron boards are mitred so the ends meet point to point and form one continuous unbroken line. Chevron costs more because every board carries an angled cut and there is less tolerance for layout error.
Can water-damaged hardwood floors be repaired instead of replaced?
Usually yes. Damaged boards are cut out and new boards are woven into the surrounding field with staggered joints, then the area is sanded and refinished to blend. Full replacement is only necessary when the subfloor has failed or the original flooring can no longer be sourced. Cupping from water often reverses on its own once the wood dries, so sanding should wait until moisture readings stabilise.
How often do hardwood floors need to be refinished?
A residential floor in normal use goes seven to fifteen years between full refinishes. A screen-and-recoat every three to five years extends that considerably, because it renews the finish without removing wood. If the damage is confined to the finish and the wear layer is intact, a recoat is the right call and costs a fraction of a full sand.
What indoor humidity should I keep for hardwood floors?
Between 35% and 55% relative humidity, year-round. Wood gains and loses width with ambient moisture, so winter heating that drops an apartment to 20% will open gaps in any wood floor regardless of how well it was installed. A humidifier is cheaper than a repair.
Is Arpa Flooring Design certified?
Arpa Flooring Design is a member of the National Wood Flooring Association, has an NWFA Certified Sales Advisor on the team, and is a Bona Certified Craftsman. Founder Alex Oliveira was named to the Hardwood Floors Magazine 40 Under 40 by the NWFA.
Does Arpa Flooring Design work with architects, designers and general contractors?
Yes, and most of the full-building work comes through that channel. We supply samples and specification sheets at the design stage, price from drawings, and coordinate delivery and phasing directly with the construction manager. Trade pricing and a dedicated project contact are standard on multi-unit work.
How do I get a quote from Arpa Flooring Design?
Call (848) 352-7337 or email alex@arpaflooring.com. For residential work we measure on site and bring samples to the home. For multi-unit and commercial work we price from drawings and follow up with a site visit before the number is final.