Hardwood flooring adds timeless beauty and value to any home. But when it comes to installation, you have two main options: pre-finished and site-finished hardwood. Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages, making the decision a matter of priorities and budget. Let's explore the pros and cons to help you choose the best fit for your project.
Pre-finished wood flooring: convenience and consistency
Pros:
- Convenience: The finish is applied in a factory-controlled environment, resulting in a consistent, flawless look.
- Quick installation: Boards are ready to walk on immediately after installation, minimizing disruption to your home.
- Durability: Factory finishes often have multiple layers and are cured with UV light, providing excellent durability and scratch resistance.
- Variety: Pre-finished hardwood flooring comes in a vast array of colors, species, and finishes, offering ample choice.
Cons:
- Limited customization: You're restricted to the factory-applied color and finish.
- Beveled edges: Many pre-finished boards have beveled edges, which can trap dirt and debris.
- Less refinish potential: While pre-finished floors can be refinished, the wear layer is thinner than site-finished floors, limiting the number of refinishing cycles.
Site-finished wood flooring: customization and seamless look
Pros:
- Customization: You have complete control over the stain color, finish type, and sheen level, allowing for a truly unique look.
- Seamless appearance: Boards are sanded and finished on-site, creating a smooth, continuous surface without beveled edges.
- Refinishing potential: With a thicker wear layer, site-finished floors can be refinished multiple times over their lifespan.
- Unique options: You can choose wider planks or custom wood species not available in pre-finished options.
Cons:
- Longer installation time: The sanding and finishing process takes several days, making the installation more disruptive.
- Dust and fumes: Sanding creates dust, and finishing releases fumes, requiring proper ventilation and cleanup.
- Higher cost: Site finishing generally costs more due to the additional labor and materials required.
Making your choice
The best wood flooring option depends on your priorities:
- Convenience and speed: Pre-finished hardwood is a great choice if you want a quick and easy installation with a consistent finish.
- Customization and refinishing: If you desire a unique look and plan to refinish your floors in the future, site-finished might be worth the extra time and cost.
Visit us for top-quality hardwood floors
At Floorz, we offer a wide selection of both pre-finished and site-finished hardwood flooring. Our flooring experts can guide you through the pros and cons of each option, help you explore different wood species and finishes, and create a custom flooring solution that meets your needs and budget. Our flooring stores in Copley, Strongsville, and Mayfield Heights, OH, serve Akron, Cleveland, Medina, and Wadsworth, OH.
