When renovating the floors of your home, the to-do list, the choices, and the installation process can seem intimidating. If replacing the floors seems like a daunting task, you may consider the simplicity that comes with prefinished floorboards. Some people may prefer the benefits of unfinished wood flooring, but the best way to decide is by learning the unique offerings of both options. With the right information, you can feel confident with your choice and enjoy the addition to your home.
Benefits of Prefinished Wood Flooring
- Shorter installation time. The installation process will take much less time because the floorboards will not require sanding or a finishing coat. The boards will be ready to go as soon as they arrive at your home.
- You can immediately walk on it. Unlike unfinished flooring, prefinished wood planks will have already undergone the staining and coating process, allowing you to walk and place your furniture onto the floor as soon as the installation is complete.
- Easy to level. With a prefinished floor, you will receive the material with subtly beveled or hand-eased edges. This reduces any unevenness during installation. Even new sub-floors can cause unevenness during installation.
- An entirely finished look. When Bingham applies the finish to the flooring, we ensure that the sides of the boards are thoroughly stained as well. This is beneficial when the season changes. If boards contract and separate in the cold weather, you will not see unfinished edges.
Drawbacks to Prefinished Wood Flooring
- Your installer is not able to sand one last time after the material is installed. This will be an issue if the subfloor is not even throughout the space, which would result in uneven edges on your floor.
- You will not be able to trim out any defects or knots that you may find unsuitable because that will leave you with an unfinished end.
Benefits of Unfinished Wood Flooring
- More opportunities to refine. Unlike prefinished wood, you are able to sand unfinished floorboards one last time after the material is installed. This allows any unevenness of edges that can occur during installation to be adjusted.
- Better adjustment inside your home. During the natural acclimation process, when the wood is not sealed with a finish, it allows for the shifting and expansion that will occur when the floor is adjusting to the environment in your home.
- Even flooring at the smallest level. Sanding the floor after it is installed onto the subfloor will allow the boards to be flush with each other, allowing a much more balanced experience and tighter spacing. This also helps with the application and evenness when applying a stain and finish.
- Freedom to alter the details. You or your installer will be able to trim out any defects or knots that you may find unsuitable by using unfinished wood flooring.
Drawbacks to Unfinished Wood Flooring
- The installation will take a few extra days to accommodate for the finishing process.
- Unlike prefinished wood, if the unfinished floor is installed and then finished, only the face of the board will have finish on it. If your floor is to shrink and separate in the cold, dry weather, you may see unfinished edges and tongues when you look at the floor.
- Many finishes give off fumes that are harmful and will be in your home. Although the harmful compounds dissipate within a few hours, there can still be a residual smell of the actual compounds within the finish.
Prefinished and unfinished wood flooring has remarkable qualities that will elevate the atmosphere of your home. While each option naturally has a couple of setbacks, the ultimate choice comes down to what you feel is best for your renovation project. If you are stuck and can’t decide which option is right for you, contact us today. Our team at Bingham Lumber has decades of experience, and we’re happy to guide you toward the option that will have you feeling confident to take on this project.
