If you are a homeowner looking to install hardwood flooring but are confused about prefinished and unfinished options, this blog is for you. Hardwood flooring is a legacy that has been carried by our kind for ages.
However, the installation of hardwood floors is a complex task. It fills your home with sawdust and smells, and it takes weeks to get ready to use. Messy installation is one of the significant reasons homeowners prefer prefinished hardwood flooring. These floors come ready, so they have stains and sealants applied to them. It is okay if you are unsure of what to choose based on the above information. Let us read more to reach a final decision. Stay tuned to the blog to know all about prefinished hardwood floors.
First of all, let us understand prefinished hardwood:
As the name suggests, prefinished hardwood flooring is finished earlier than it is installed. Before the flooring arrives at your door, it is finished with stain and sealant in the factory. It comes completely dry and ready to install.
Any hardwood species can be sanded and stained with any kind of finish to make it prefinished. Often, the floors are sealed by Aluminum oxide coating that adds to the durability and makes it scratch-resistant.
Difference between prefinished and unfinished flooring
Yes, despite both having the same appearance, prefinished and unfinished differ in many ways. Both have different installation methods and costs. Also, prefinished hardwood planks have slight bevels on the outside of the edge. So, when two prefinished planks are placed side by side, you can see a gap between the planks. This gap is not an issue or a matter of care, but some homeowners don’t like this look.
Unfinished hardwood floors give satisfaction to homeowners because they can be customized as per their choice. On the other hand, prefinished doesn’t offer customization options.
Difference between prefinished and best-engineered flooring
This is something a lot of people want to know. So, to clear it up once and for all, engineered wood is not a type of finish; it is a type of wood flooring.
There is no hard and fast rule that all the engineered hardwood floors are prefinished. It can be prefinished or unfinished; in simple terms, the finish has nothing to do with engineered or simple flooring. However, the main question remains: how are both floorings different?
Best engineered floors have a plywood base and solid hardwood top, whereas solid hardwood flooring is single piece throughout.
How will prefinished flooring benefit you?
We have discussed a lot about prefinished floors, and now it is time to know how it can benefit you.
It has quick and clean installation: One of the biggest advantages of using prefinished hardwood flooring is its speedy installation process. You don’t need to go through the dust and chemicals during your home renovations. The best part is that you can walk on the floors right after the installation.
Prefinished flooring is safe for your home: Floor finishing products have harmful VOC compounds. These compounds take time to go off. In the case of prefinished hardwood flooring, the volatile organic compounds are dried in the factory, so you don’t have to breathe harmful compounds.
It is durable and wear-resistant: Prefinished flooring withstands more wear and tear than home-finished flooring. The mills bake the layers of acrylic finishes to make floors super durable. These floors are way more scratch-resistant and best for homes with kids and dogs.
It is so durable that you don’t even need to refinish it for years. Isn’t that great? You will save on the cost of future refinishing.
It is widely available: In current times, prefinished floors are more in demand than unfinished ones. Therefore, you will get huge prefinished flooring options in the market. There are never-ending flooring options to choose from. You can choose sustainable flooring options like pine and teak or go for exotic floors like Brazilian hardwood.
What are the cons of buying prefinished hardwood floors?
While we read the advantages of prefinished flooring, it is essential to go through the disadvantages or cons; here we go:
It can’t be custom designed: Sorry to say, but only unfinished floors can be customized. You need to forget about all the customization tips and designs you have stored and look for some prefinished option that meets your vision the most.
Obviously, you will get most of the wood species and grain patterns in prefinished flooring; you need to research the one that matches your vibe well.
Your flooring troubles won’t be hidden: If your subfloor (concrete, plywood, or previous hardwood) is not on a level, prefinished hardwood flooring is not able to hide it and can show the bulges and cupping. At the same time, simple hardwood can be sanded down to adjust to the bulges.
Not all Prefinished floors are waterproof.
These floors are scratch-resistant due to good type finishes, but these are prone to water damage just like other hardwood floors. You can try the best-engineered or SPC flooring option for a water-resistant flooring option.
Does prefinished flooring cost more?
Prefinished Hardwood Flooring may cost more due to factory finish and the use of expensive finishing chemicals, but the cost of installation of these floors is low.
However, simple hardwood floors cost less and need more money at the time of installation. Sanding, dusting, and finishing wood is a long-term process that takes both time and cost.
Conclusion: Prefinished Hardwood Flooring is easy to use and can be installed floating, nailed down, or glued down to the subfloor. In case you want to refinish a prefinished floor, you can do it with your favorite finish type.
This blog concluded that prefinished floors are perfect for homes, offices, and hotels. If you are looking to buy any flooring, Harper Floors is one of the best dealers. To explore their flooring and order free samples, visit their website today!
FAQs
Q1. What is prefinished hardwood flooring, and how does it differ from unfinished flooring?
Ans.1Prefinished hardwood flooring is finished with stain and sealant in the factory before installation, making it ready to use upon delivery. Unlike unfinished flooring, prefinished options have a distinct appearance with slight bevels on the edges.
Q2. Can any hardwood species be used for prefinished flooring?
Ans2 Yes, any hardwood species can be used for prefinished flooring, and they are often sealed with an Aluminum oxide coating for added durability and scratch resistance.
Q3. How does prefinished flooring differ from engineered flooring?
Ans3 Engineered wood is a type of wood flooring, not a finish. While engineered floors can be prefinished or unfinished, the key difference lies in the construction—engineered flooring has a plywood base and a solid hardwood top.
Read more- https://www.backlinkget.com/blog/what-is-the-best-finish-for-the-brazilian-walnut-floor/
