Renovating in NYC? Here’s the Best Flooring for Apartment Hallways

Apartment hallways take on more abuse than other spaces in the home. They endure daily foot traffic, dragged suitcases, wet shoes, and the occasional moving of furniture. So, you need to choose hallway flooring based on durability and not just style. Here’s what renovators in NYC need to consider.

Why Hallway Flooring Deserves Special Attention

Hallways are the connective tissue of your apartment. They set the tone the moment someone walks in, and they take a beating that living rooms simply don’t. The flooring you love in your bedroom might fail in a high-traffic corridor. In NYC apartments, whether pre-war co-ops or modern condos, the stakes are even higher because building boards often have their own requirements too.

Best Flooring Options for Apartment Hallways

There’s no single best flooring for apartment hallways; the right choice depends on your building type, budget, and lifestyle. A few materials consistently rise to the top.

Hardwood Flooring

Classic hardwood, particularly white or red oak, is the gold standard for NYC apartments. A 5-inch wide plank of select oak is among the most popular choices. It can be sanded and refinished multiple times, a significant advantage in a hallway that sees constant wear.

• Cost: $8–$15 per square foot installed
• Best for: Pre-war buildings with uneven subfloors, where thicker boards hold up better
• Pattern tip: Herringbone makes even a narrow corridor feel elevated and intentional

Engineered Wood Flooring

Engineered wood is made of multiple layers, with only the top being real hardwood. It’s thinner, more moisture-resistant, and often the smarter choice in post-war buildings where glued-down asbestos parquet beneath the floor makes installation over the existing surface necessary.

• Cost: $5–$12 per square foot installed
• Best for: Post-war buildings and apartments with humidity concerns
• Watch out for: The sub-layer matters. Opt for a moisture-resistant base if your building has any history of water issues

Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP)

For families with kids, pets, or anyone who wants a low-drama floor, luxury vinyl plank is hard to beat in a hallway. It’s scratch-resistant, waterproof, and mimics wood convincingly.

• Cost: $3–$8 per square foot installed
• Best for: Owners prioritizing function, or renters renovating with board approval
• Bonus: No refinishing headaches, ever

What Building Type Changes Everything

Your building’s age is one of the most overlooked factors when selecting hallway flooring. In pre-war apartments, wooden subfloor planks with gaps between them can cause thinner engineered boards to wobble and shift. Traditional hardwood (thicker and more rigid) handles those imperfections far better.

In post-war buildings (1950s–1970s), you may have asbestos-containing glued parquet underneath. Rather than removing it (a costly abatement process), installing engineered wood directly over the existing floor is often the most practical solution.

Pattern and Finish Make or Break a Hallway

The direction and pattern of your flooring dramatically change how a hallway feels. Straight planks laid lengthwise elongate the space visually. Herringbone adds drama. Chevron, where planks meet in a continuous V, brings a luxury touch popular in high-end NYC renovations.

For sealant, polyurethane finishes offer better scratch resistance in high-traffic areas, while oil-based finishes penetrate deeper for a richer, more natural look.

Make the Right Call for Your NYC Apartment

The best flooring for apartment hallways balances durability, building compatibility, and design. Getting it wrong is an expensive mistake.

Zicklin Contracting brings decades of NYC renovation experience to every project. From material selection to full installation, the team knows exactly what works in this city’s unique building landscape. 

Start your renovation the right way at zicklincontracting.com.