Decision to install hardwood flooring is an important and also a difficult one, as there are many options to choose from. One of the first steps to purchasing hardwood floors is deciding whether you want to go for prefinished or unfinished wood. While unfinished flooring is a classic choice that has been used for many years, advantages and clear benefits of prefinished hardwood flooring often supersede site-finished floors, making it a more desirable choice for many homeowners.
Benefits of Prefinished Hardwood Flooring
Ease of Installation
Installation of prefinished hardwood flooring is relatively quick and easy when compared to unfinished floors. Already coated in a factory setting, it does not need to be sanded and finished on-site, which eliminates the need to put up with the noise, dust and toxic smells that go along with installation of unfinished flooring. For this reason, installation costs are also lower.
Durability
Prefinished flooring has several coats of finish and strengtheners applied using a UV-curing technology in a strictly-controlled factory setting. This makes the wear layer of prefinished hardwood flooring very durable, and the finish itself comes under manufacturer warranty, which is substantially better than any contractor warranty applied in the field. Unique finishing technologies and drying conditions that available at an industrial plant are simply impossible to replicate on-site. Factory applied finishes are more abrasion resistant and are free of dust, brush hairs, swirl marks, etc. These evenly applied heavy duty finishes do not have an odor. While site-finished floors last 3-5 years (6-maximum) before needing to be refinished, most prefinished floors can last for decades.
Non-toxic
Installation of prefinished flooring means less mess and noise, as well as ZERO toxins and unpleasant smells that are unavoidable when traditional flooring is finished on-site. This is a major advantage for highly trafficked areas, or households with pets, children, or people with allergies. Prefinished hardwood flooring is a hypo-allergenic flooring solution.
Depth of Color and Natural Wood Texture
In addition to being non-toxic and highly durable, factory applied finishes also tend to be highly transparent, which allows to preserve the look of natural wood texture and depth of color to the maximum. Factory prefinished hardwood floors are available in a wide range of colors, surface finishes and styles. In addition, prefinished hardwood flooring is guaranteed to be free of dust, specks and hair that sometimes go unnoticed when flooring is finished on-site.
The reason why many builders continue to prefer unfinished flooring is because it is possible to continue renovation work over installed unfinished hardwood, and sand and finish the floor once all the other work is done. With prefinished flooring, this is not possible, as prefinished hardwood must be the last element installed to avoid any accidental damages to finish and surface. Advantages of prefinished wood flooring are starting to win over many homeowners, contractors, builders and architects. What type of hardwood flooring do you prefer, and why? Please share in comments below.
Coswick manufactures prefinished hardwood floors in over 70 styles, colors and surface finishes, available as solid and engineered flooring. Browse our wood flooring to find one that best suits your needs, and when you are ready, order a free sample!
