Pre-finished Vs. Unfinished Hardwood

Q. Should I buy prefinished or unfinished hardwood?

A. Hardwood floors are popularly known for their rich beauty and versatility. When purchasing hardwood, you also have an option to buy both prefinished and unfinished flooring. Knowing the pros and cons of each can help you decide which to go with. Consider factors like budget, installation, lifestyle and maintenance in your selection.

Making the choice between prefinished and unfinished hardwood can be overwhelming for anyone. Prefinished flooring has the tendency to be extremely durable and last for a longer time. In addition, the prefinished floor is easy to install and easy to create a consistent smooth finish.

Unfinished floors have quite a few advantages of their own. The wood is cheaper, and available in many species. If you are trying to match an existing wood floor, unfinished may be the choice as more options are available.

Consider the following options in your wood floor selection:

●      If you are upgrading an existing home, go for prefinished flooring. But, if you are looking to match an existing floor, unfinished wood will provide you with more options.

●      If you are planning to install the floor in the kitchen or some high traffic area in your home, go for a prefinished wood as it is more durable.

●      If you are installing the hardwood throughout your home, get the finishing of the floor on site to achieve a consistent finish.

●      If you are looking for various wood species, go for unfinished wood which has plenty of options available.

●      If you are upgrading a basement floor, consider an engineered wood to prevent moisture from damaging the wood.

●      If you want to maintain an industrial look in your home, an unfinished wood will be a better choice.

When in doubt, you can always ask professionals for advice. They will be able to provide you with details on different types of wood flooring and bring samples for you to test in your home along with other furnishings.