When choosing between pre-finished and unfinished hardwood floors, remember them before installing them. The choice of prefinished and unfinished is yours. Prefinished is ready-made finished but on the other hand unfinished wood floors have greater control over the final appearance. Any room looks more elegant with hardwood flooring. It is long-lasting, blends well with any decor, and requires little upkeep. You’ll have fun for years. This option is popular in older houses when most homeowners match furniture and everything with the color combination of wood floors. The possibilities are endless regarding hardwood flooring, which is an investment in your home. Prefinished or unfinished hardwood flooring should be chosen first. What you must know is as follows.
Read also: How to protect wood floor from damage?
The Differences between Finished & Unfinished Flooring
One of the most important decisions you will have to make when choosing flooring is whether to go with finished or unfinished. From maintenance to aesthetics, each option has its advantages and considerations. To help you choose the best flooring for your home, let’s take a closer look at what sets finished flooring apart from unfinished flooring.
- Finished flooring:
The finished flooring comes coated and ready to be installed right out of the box. It has a protective finish that is applied in a controlled manner and frequently results in a surface that is extremely long-lasting and resistant to stains and scratches. Choosing finished flooring has several advantages, including the following:
Because it has already been installed, finished flooring is easier to install and saves time. Sanding, staining, or sealing the wood is not necessary after it has been laid.
The factory applies uniform finishes, giving the flooring a smooth, polished look without variations. When compared to finishes that are applied on-site, the protective coating that is applied in a factory typically has a greater resistance to wear and scratches.
- Unfinished flooring:
This is made of raw wood that must be finished on the spot. You can select the exact stain and finish you desire with this option, allowing for even more personalization.
You can match specific shades or create a distinctive look for your space because you have complete control over the stain and finish. After installing unfinished flooring, you can sand and finish the wood to give it a perfectly smooth, seamless appearance. This is especially helpful in older homes.
Let’s Compare the Pros of Each Flooring Type
Benefits of Pre-finished Flooring
Prefinished hardwood flooring is factory-finished, with each board being individually sprayed with a coat of polyurethane and then baked in an oven with aluminum oxide. This process creates an extremely hard and lasting acrylic finish. Prefinished hardwood flooring options are often chosen by homeowners due to their quick installation and incredible durability. Some of the primary benefits of prefinished hardwood flooring are as under.
- Ready for Immediate Use
Once your prefinished floors are installed, they are immediately ready to be walked on and enjoyed by your family. There will be no downtime as you won’t have to wait for them to be finished on-site and cured before moving your items back into the space.
- No Dust
Again, because prefinished floors are completely ready for use, no sanding will have to take place in your home. This means you won’t have to worry about all the dust that is created by sanding, which will keep your home cleaner.
- Quick Installation
Prefinished hardwood can be installed very quickly. Depending on the size of the space, installation can often be completed in a single day, allowing you to get back to daily life.
- Nearly Flawless Finish
Factory-applied finishes look beautiful and are also very durable. Most even come with a lifetime warranty, making pre-finished floors a smart investment.
- Cost-effective
Though the initial cost of prefinished floors may appear higher than unfinished, they will end up costing less in the end. By the time you factor in finishing costs, the final price is higher than prefinished hardwood.
Benefits of Unfinished Flooring
While many people prefer the easy installation of prefinished floors, others believe unfinished floors are the better option. The final decision will depend on what features are most important to you. There are many benefits to installing raw wood floors that are finished onsite.
- On-Site Work
One benefit of unfinished wood floors is on-site work. This is valuable if you want to customize according to your choices.
- Customization
Unfinished wood floors allow you to customize according to the requirements of your home settings. This means that your floors can be a one-of-a-kind feature that fits your style perfectly.
- Best for New Construction
To avoid accidental scratches and other damage, many contractors prefer unfinished floors for new construction homes and large renovations. When the floors are finished at the end, you don’t have to worry about any accidents damaging the floor.
- More Finish Options
Your creative possibilities are nearly endless when it comes to the finish options you can choose for your unfinished hardwood floors. You’ll have numerous color options to choose from, ensuring your new floors will match the rest of your home perfectly.
- Easier to Clean
Prefinished hardwood floors develop a beveled edge from the layers of stain and coatings, making it easier for dust, dirt, and grime to gather between boards. Unfinished floors that are stained on site will not develop this beveled edge and will instead be completely flat. This makes it much easier to clean the flooring.
Factors to consider when choosing between prefinished and unfinished wood flooring
Consider the following when choosing between prefinished hardwood flooring and unfinished hardwood flooring for your home.
Your timeline:
Prefinished hardwood is a better option if you need your flooring installed quickly. It is ideal for busy households or projects with tight timelines due to its quick installation process, which means less downtime and inconvenience.
Budget considerations:
Although the initial cost of prefinished hardwood may be higher, the savings on installation and finishing frequently make up for the difference.
Durability and wear:
Under factory conditions, multiple coats of sealant are applied to prefinished hardwood, which is extremely durable. Because of this, it might be a better option for places with a lot of foot traffic or homes with kids and pets.
Aesthetic preferences:
Unfinished hardwood may be your best option if you want a seamless, uniform appearance. Some homeowners find the smooth surface with tight seams created by on-site finishing to be more appealing.
How to Care For Unfinished Wood Flooring?
Even though it might be tempting to enjoy the natural beauty of unfinished wood flooring, it needs different care than prefinished wood flooring. Stains, nicks, and water damage can be more severe on unfinished wood.
Consequently, regular sweeping and immediate spill cleanup is essential. Steam or water mops should not be used because they can harm the wood. For best results, use specific wood cleaning products instead.
Conclusion
In conclusion, your priorities and preferences will ultimately determine whether you choose finished or unfinished wood flooring. If you want a floor that can be installed quickly and easily. Finished wood floors are a great option because they are both practical and long-lasting right out of the box. On the other hand, unfinished wood floors are ideal for homeowners who want a unique finish but are willing to more time on the installation process because they offer a seamless look that can be customized.
Frequently asked questions
Q. Can you live with unfinished wood flooring?
Unfinished flooring has recently gained a lot of popularity among those who prefer to use retained wood in its natural state.
Q. Can I clean unfinished wood floors?
Unfinished wood doesn’t have that extra layer on top, so it’s important to clean it gently. Second, rather than washing your floor with soap and water, dampen the cloth you use.
Q. How to make the unfinished wood floor shiny?
- Treat it with natural oils.
- Apply and clean with wax.
- Sweep and vacuum regularly.
- Apply and clean with vinegar.
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