A&S Flooring in Baltimore: Installation and Hardwood Refinishing for Older Homes
A&S Flooring is a locally owned hardwood installation and refinishing shop operating in Baltimore for over 20 years, specializing in the wood floor needs of the city's 19th and early 20th-century rowhouses and period homes. The company handles new hardwood installation, refinishing of existing floors, and some vinyl and laminate work, positioning itself as an alternative to big-box flooring chains for customers who want direct contact with installers familiar with the structural and aesthetic demands of Baltimore's housing stock.
What A&S Flooring actually does
A&S operates as an installer and refinisher rather than a showroom retailer. The company sends crews to homes for estimates and then either installs customer-supplied materials or sources flooring directly. Hardwood refinishing is the anchor service: sanding, staining, and polyurethane or oil finishing of existing wood floors. Installation covers solid hardwood, engineered hardwood, and some laminate and vinyl plank products. The company does not stock inventory on-site; work is arranged by appointment and scheduled weeks out depending on crew availability.
Services and pricing
Hardwood refinishing costs typically run $3 to $5 per square foot for basic sand-and-finish work on Baltimore floors in good condition (verify current pricing before requesting an estimate). Stain color changes add $0.50 to $1.50 per square foot. New hardwood installation labor ranges from $4 to $8 per square foot depending on wood type and subfloor condition, which varies significantly in older Baltimore homes with uneven joists or settled foundations. The company charges for estimates; the fee is often applied toward the final job if the customer proceeds.
Refinishing timelines assume 3 to 5 business days for a typical rowhouse floor (sanding, staining, cure time between coats, and final topcoat). New installation usually takes 1 to 3 days for standard rooms. Engineered hardwood and vinyl plank products cost less in labor than solid hardwood but often require acclimation time in the home before installation, which A&S accounts for in scheduling.
How A&S compares to other Baltimore flooring options
Baltimore homeowners choosing a flooring contractor face a choice between specialty shops like A&S, big-box installers (Home Depot, Lowe's), and large regional flooring retailers (like Lumber Liquidators/LL Flooring). A&S differs on three practical points: First, it does custom refinishing in-home rather than referring customers elsewhere, which matters for Baltimore's abundance of original hardwood floors worth restoring rather than replacing. Second, its crew sizes are smaller (typically 2 to 4 people per job) and more consistent than rotating contractor pools at big-box stores, reducing variability in finish quality. Third, A&S charges for estimates, whereas Home Depot and Lowe's provide free in-store quotes; paying for an on-site estimate at A&S usually signals a more detailed assessment of subfloor issues common in Baltimore's older homes.
LL Flooring and regional big-box chains excel for customers who want to choose materials in a showroom, see dozens of stains and species on one floor, and have installation priced as a standardized package. They suit straightforward jobs in newer construction or homes with concrete slabs. A&S suits homeowners with existing hardwood they want refinished, or who need a contractor who can diagnose and address structural floor problems before installation (common in rowhouses with joist settlement or moisture issues).
Who A&S suits and who it does not
A&S is most useful for Baltimore homeowners with original or existing hardwood floors, especially those in Federal Hill, Canton, Fells Point, or other neighborhoods where homes predate 1940. Owners planning a full-floor refinish or partial restoration, and those concerned about matching existing wood tone or grain, benefit from direct installer consultation. The company also serves renovators who are sourcing premium hardwood species and need expert labor installation.
A&S is not the right choice for customers who want material shopping and designer guidance in a showroom, prefer clicking through online options and pricing, or work under extremely tight timelines (crews book weeks ahead). It is also not practical for customers in suburbs outside Baltimore proper if travel time becomes a factor.
What the first visit involves
Contact A&S by phone to request an on-site estimate. A representative visits the home, examines existing floors or subfloor condition, discusses wood species and finish preferences, and identifies any structural issues (uneven subflooring, moisture, previous refinishes) that affect labor cost and timeline. The estimate fee is quoted upfront. Once you approve the estimate and select materials, the company schedules the job. For refinishing, you remain in the home during sanding and early cure phases; for installation, similar scheduling applies. The company typically requires at least half payment upfront and the balance upon completion.
Hours, parking, and logistics
A&S operates Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and accepts phone calls during those hours to schedule estimates and discuss projects. The company is based in Baltimore proper and does not have a retail storefront; all work occurs in customers' homes. Parking depends on your neighborhood. Payment is accepted by check and card. Verify current hours by phone before visiting, as service hours can shift seasonally or with crew scheduling.
A&S Flooring fills a clear role in Baltimore's home-service landscape: it is the contractor to call if you own original hardwood and want it refinished by someone who knows how 120-year-old rowhouse floors behave under sanding and heat.
