Brooklyn · NYC · Nassau · Long Island
LVP, COREtec & luxury vinyl plank installation in Brooklyn, NYC & Nassau
Gemini Floor Services installs luxury vinyl plank (LVP), LVT, and COREtec floors for Brooklyn apartments, brownstones, co-ops, and Long Island homes. Click-lock, floating, or glue-down over prepared subfloors; waterproof options for kitchens, baths, and basements. Family-owned — not a franchise — licensed, insured, 5-year workmanship warranty. Brooklyn: 229 Sumter St. Call (718) 690-3435 or Nassau (516) 209-6998.
What we install
- Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) — wood-look planks; wear layer over design layer; residential click-lock / floating common. More detail in our All About Luxury Vinyl Floors guide.
- Luxury vinyl tile (LVT) — tile and stone looks; same vinyl family as planks.
- COREtec — brand-line LVT we supply & install; 100% waterproof; realistic wood/stone/tile looks; attached cork underlayment on many products; Greenguard Gold / low-VOC. Browse & order via COREtec luxury vinyl tile — pick up at the Brooklyn store, delivery for DIY, or we deliver & install.
- Rigid core options — WPC (softer cushion) and SPC (harder, more dent-resistant) when the product line offers them.
Vinyl ≠ laminate: Vinyl is PVC-based and moisture-resistant; laminate is a wood-fiber core product and is different. This page is vinyl / LVP / COREtec install — laminate install lives on laminate flooring installation if needed. No cleaning services.
How LVP & COREtec installation works
- Free consultation & estimate — Product (LVP / LVT / COREtec), wear-layer grade, click-lock vs glue-down vs sheet, rooms and moisture risk. Start with the Instant Preliminary Estimate for planning, then free on-site measure for a firm install quote.
- Material plan — Match samples (COREtec line + other LVP/LVT). Brooklyn store for COREtec displays and samples.
- Removal (if needed) — Tear-out of existing floor materials when the job calls for it; scope on estimate.
- Subfloor — Smooth, dry, and prepared. Vinyl can go over concrete, plywood, hardwood, or existing vinyl (not advised over more than one existing vinyl layer). Concrete: moisture test before install when needed.
- Install — Click-lock / floating (common for homes), glue-down / dryback (often larger or commercial), or sheet vinyl where few seams matter (sheet is pro-install). COREtec: install over most existing hard surfaces with or without glue per product; many jobs walk-on same day when the system allows.
- Transitions & trim — Doorways, stairs (stairs as separate scope when needed), perimeter expansion gap where the product requires it.
- Walkthrough — Care notes (sweep/mop; avoid harsh abrasives) and when furniture and traffic are OK. Felt pads under heavy furniture legs.
Timeline
Job-specific factors — square footage, tear-out, leveling, glue cure, sheet layout, and building access — change the schedule and are confirmed on estimate.
| Scope | Guidance |
|---|---|
| COREtec (many jobs) | Buy, install & walk on the same day when the product/system allows |
| Job-specific | Square footage, tear-out, leveling, glue cure, sheet layout, and building access change the schedule — confirmed on estimate |
Waterproof rooms
Luxury vinyl is a strong choice for kitchens, baths, basements, laundry rooms, and entries because the product resists moisture. Planks and tiles still have seams — standing water can get underneath and cause subfloor or adhesive problems if ignored. COREtec’s product claims include 100% waterproof performance for wet areas. Proper install and dry subfloors matter either way.
LVP vs COREtec / LVT (quick chooser)
| LVP / generic LVT | COREtec (brand LVT) | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Luxury vinyl plank or tile from various makers | COREtec product line — supply & install from Gemini |
| Moisture | Waterproof/water-resistant planks; seams still need care with standing water | 100% waterproof; wet areas, baths, mudrooms, kitchens, basements |
| Underfoot | Varies; WPC softer, SPC harder | Attached cork underlayment on many SKUs — warmth, quieter steps |
| Best when | Budget/design range across brands | You want the COREtec line + Gemini install / Brooklyn samples |
More detail: LVP education · COREtec supply & install.
Apartments, co-ops & buildings
- Licensed & insured; can supply insurance paperwork buildings ask for.
- Plan elevator bookings, work hours, and hallway protection up front.
- Low-odor / low-VOC lines (e.g. Greenguard Gold COREtec) help occupied apartments when the product qualifies.
Warranty
5-year workmanship warranty. Covers our installation workmanship as stated on the job.
Manufacturer warranties (COREtec examples: limited lifetime residential; separate structure / waterproof / pet / commercial terms) cover product defects per maker — not a substitute for workmanship coverage. Ask on the estimate for what’s in writing.
Not covered as blanket promises: flooding, abuse, wrong cleaning chemicals, or later modifications.
Who this is for
- Homes & brownstones — kitchens, baths, basements, mudrooms, whole-level vinyl where moisture or budget favors LVP/COREtec over hardwood.
- Apartments & co-ops — floating/click systems, careful tear-out, building-friendly scheduling.
- Commercial — offices and shops (Gemini works residences and businesses of all sizes); glue-down often used on larger commercial vinyl jobs.
What drives install price (no published $/sq ft)
The live Instant Preliminary Estimate is a preliminary guide — final install price after free on-site measure. We do not publish invented $/sq ft rates.
What drives install price:
- Product line (generic LVP/LVT vs COREtec) and wear-layer / core type (WPC vs SPC)
- Square footage and layout
- Click-lock / floating vs glue-down vs sheet
- Tear-out and disposal of old flooring
- Subfloor repairs / leveling / moisture mitigation
- Transitions, stairs, and trim
- Access (walk-up, elevator booking, co-op work windows)
Use the estimate form for a ballpark conversation, then call for on-site.
Gemini Floor Services
Owner Dyal Ramnarine
Brooklyn HQ: 229 Sumter St, Brooklyn NY 11233 · (718) 690-3435
Nassau: 220 N Columbus Ave, Freeport NY 11520 · (516) 209-6998
LI: (631) 739-8353 · info@geminifloors.com
Frequently asked questions
What’s the difference between LVP, LVT, and COREtec?
LVP is luxury vinyl plank (usually wood-look boards). LVT is luxury vinyl tile (tile/stone or plank-format tiles). COREtec is a brand line of LVT that Gemini supplies and installs — waterproof construction, realistic looks, and often an attached cork underlayment. We’ll help you pick the product that fits rooms, traffic, and budget on the estimate.
Is luxury vinyl waterproof — and can it go in kitchens, baths, and basements?
Vinyl itself resists moisture and is a strong choice for kitchens, baths, basements, laundry rooms, and entries. Planks and tiles still have seams — standing water can get underneath and cause subfloor or adhesive problems if ignored. COREtec’s live product claims include 100% waterproof performance for wet areas. Proper install and dry subfloors matter either way.
Click-lock, floating, or glue-down — which install method do you use?
Homes and small businesses most often use click-lock or loose-lay floating systems. Glue-down (dryback) is common on larger or commercial jobs. Sheet vinyl is a glue-down, few-seam option that should be done by a pro. COREtec can install over many existing hard surfaces with or without glue depending on the product. Method follows the flooring and the floor underneath.
Do you install COREtec, or only generic vinyl plank?
Both. We install LVP/LVT from quality lines and we supply and install COREtec — cash & carry from the Brooklyn store, delivery for your own install, or full delivery and install by Gemini. Start with samples, then Instant Preliminary Estimate or a call for on-site measure.
Vinyl or laminate — which should I get?
Vinyl is PVC-based and handles moisture far better. Laminate is a wood-fiber core product with a photo wear surface — it can look great but is not the wet-area choice vinyl is. This page is for vinyl/LVP/COREtec installation. If you want laminate, see laminate flooring installation.
Can you work in a Brooklyn co-op or Nassau home with building rules?
Yes. We’re licensed and insured and can provide insurance paperwork buildings require. Share elevator times, work hours, and certificate rules up front. Brooklyn HQ is 229 Sumter St — call (718) 690-3435; Nassau / Freeport (516) 209-6998.