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prefinished
vs. unfinished wood flooring
Prefinished vs. Unfinished Wood Flooring
Deciding on prefinished or unfinished wood
flooring is an important decision. Both have their advantages
and disadvantages and it's a good idea to know about them.
In simple terms, prefinished wood is unfinished wood that
has been sanded and finished at the factory. Unfinished
wood flooring is sanded on the site of the job.
Prefinished wood floors are becoming a
personal favorite for homeowners. It is installed very quickly
and doesn't leave behind the mess that unfinished wood does.
Typically, it is an engineered floor, which means that it
is not a solid wood product. It can be refinished at any
time.
Homeowners enjoy knowing that their prefinished
floors will bring a lifetime of beauty and durability. Factory
finishes are extremely wear resistant and often contain
extra sealants for more protection. However, they are limited
to manufacturer's colors and prefinished trims are not an
exact match to the floor.
Unfinished wood flooring, on the other
hand, is often the most common and least expensive of hardwood
floors. It comes in a wider array of species and widths.
This makes it easier to match exciting wood work. It can
always be found in stock. However, unfinished wood is finished
on the site of job which often leaves behind a mess and
takes several days to complete. Also, with a job-site finish,
the wood is sanded smoothly right there leaving less chances
for over-wood.
If you are planning on installing wood
floors in more than one room, consider using an unfinished
wood flooring to ensure that the color and finish is the
same throughout the whole house. For basement flooring,
you are better off using engineered, prefinished wood flooring.
Basements tend to be damp and prefinished flooring resists
warping and buckling due to humidity.
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