Table of content
- Pros and Cons of Unfinished Wood Flooring
- Unfinished Floors Are Better for
- Pros and Cons of Prefinished Wood Flooring
- Prefinished Floors Are Better for
- Main Similar Features Between Unfinished and Prefinished Flooring
- Difference Between Finished and Unfinished Wood
- Costs
- Maintenance and Care
- Appearance
- Installation
- Durability
- How to Find Expert Floor Installation in Boston
- Check the credentials and reviews
- Request a free quote
- Get a consultation from flooring experts on your project
If you’re currently considering prefinished hardwood flooring vs unfinished hardwood planks for your space, you’re in the right place. The Floors Are Us professionals have compiled a comprehensive guide to help you choose the right option for your project. Both prefinished and unfinished wood flooring have their pros and cons. If you’re looking for a quick installation, prefinished wood might be the option for you. However, if customization is your priority, unfinished wood is your choice.
Still hesitating about which hardwood is better for you? Keep reading the article for more insights that will help you decide.
Pros and Cons of Unfinished Wood Flooring
On-site hardwood finishing offers seamless matching with the rest of the surfaces in your space as well as endless customization options. It also provides greater durability, as you get to choose the top-tier finish applied by a trusted flooring contractor. Still, this approach has its drawbacks, like time-consuming installation and higher final costs.
Check out a table outlining the pros and cons of unfinished wood flooring in more detail:
Advantages | Disadvantages |
Endless customization of stain color and finish | Longer installation process, as you have to sand and coat the hardwood |
Seamless and even surface | More labor-intensive and costly due to on-site finishing |
On-site sealing makes it more durable | Prolonged drying time |
Perfect when you’re trying to match with the rest of flooring in your home | Susceptible to wear and tear without a protective coating |
Site-finished and sanded flooring ensures perfectly flat surface that is easier to clean | Inappropriate for moisture-prone areas, like kitchen or bathroom |
After considering the pros and cons of unfinished wood flooring, you can make several conclusions. For one, unfinished wood offers endless customization and enhances durability. However, it may come at a higher initial cost.
Unfinished Floors Are Better for
Unfinished flooring could be a better choice in several cases, e.g., for new constructions, for matching existing hardwood with the new one, for high-traffic areas, etc.
See a more detailed breakdown of situations when unfinished hardwood is a preferred option:
New construction and renovations
Homeowners prefer installing finished on-site hardwood during the construction process. Even if the planks get damaged, scratches can be concealed while finishing the hardwood.
Matching new hardwood with existing flooring
If a part of your space is already covered with hardwood, unfinished wood is your option. You can match the new planks with the rest of the surface perfectly by choosing a similar color and sheen.
High-traffic areas
Hardwood flooring finished on-site is highly resistant to damage. Besides, unfinished floors tend to preserve the like-new look and feel longer.
Pros and Cons of Prefinished Wood Flooring
The key benefit of prefinished hardwood is fast, mess-free installation. However, it comes with some drawbacks, like limited customization options, a higher upfront cost, and a more diligent pre-installation acclimation.
See a more detailed review of the pros and cons of prefinished hardwood flooring in the table below:
Advantages | Disadvantages |
Quick and easy installation | High material cost (usually more expensive than unfinished hardwood) |
Durable factory-applied finish that offers high resistance to scratches and dents | Limited colors and finishing offering |
Factory-finished hardwood often comes with a long-lasting warranty, reaching 25-35 years | Sensitive to moisture; doesn’t fit humidity-prone areas |
Lower costs for installation | Requires acclimation to the temperature and humidity of your home for at least 3 days |
Prefinished Floors Are Better for
When it comes to prefinished hardwood vs unfinished wood, keep in mind that prefinished floors are perfect for DIY projects, immediate usability, and allergy-sensitive households.
Learn more about why prefinished floors are better for:
DIY projects
Installing prefinished floors is a more DIY-friendly approach, as you won’t have to cover the wood with stain and protective coating on your own. This also means you’ll need fewer equipment and tools, which will simplify the process.
Immediate usability
Unlike unfinished hardwood, prefinished flooring can be used immediately after installation. You don’t need to wait days until moving furniture back into the room and using your space as usual with prefinished floors.
Allergy-sensitive households
If you or other household members are sensitive to stain or finish components, opting for prefinished hardwood might be the solution.
Main Similar Features Between Unfinished and Prefinished Flooring
To compare prefinished hardwood floors vs unfinished wood flooring, check out some of the similar features between the two options in the table below:
Feature | Prefinished | Unfinished |
Cost | Lower upfront price for materials; however, installation is more pricey | Though materials are more costly, you’ll cut on labor costs |
Longevity | Can last for decades | Can last for decades |
Maintenance | Slightly harder to clean because of the dirt trapped in the beveled edges | Easy to clean due to smooth surface |
While considering the similarities between prefinished solid hardwood flooring vs unfinished wood, it becomes obvious that the two have little in common. Still, durability, cost, and maintenance coincide to some extent.
Difference Between Finished and Unfinished Wood
Now, it’s time to take a look at the difference between finished and unfinished wood.
See the table below for more insights:
Feature | Prefinished | Unfinished |
Installation | Installed with factory-applied finish | Raw wood installed |
Customization | Limited options | Fully customizable |
Appearance | Tends to have bevels between planks | Seamless surface |
Refinishing | Refinishing isn’t advisable; in case of damage, hardwood experts offer floorboard replacement | Can be refinished multiple times |
Keep reading the following points to get a comprehensive understanding of the key features of prefinished vs unfinished hardwood flooring.
Costs
Check out the table below to compare the cost for prefinished vs unfinished hardwood floors:
Flooring type | Material | Installation | Total cost |
Prefinished | $5—10 per sq ft | $2—5 per sq ft | $8—25 per sq ft |
Unfinished | $6—15 per sq ft | $5—12 per sq ft | $7—25 per sq ft |
Maintenance and Care
Can’t decide between prefinished wood floors vs unfinished floors? See a table below to analyse the maintenance specifics of prefinished vs unfinished floors:
Aspect | Prefinished | Unfinished |
Cleaning | Regular sweeping, damp mopping with specialized products | Regular sweeping, damp mopping with specialized products (mind that unfinished hardwood may be more sensitive to harsh chemicals) |
Stain resistance | Strong resistance to damage | Prone to staining in case you don’t wipe a spill immediately |
Repairs | Requires plank replacement in case of damage | Can be repaired and refinished multiple times |
Appearance
To make an informed decision, compare the appearance of prefinished vs unfinished options:
Aspect | Prefinished | Unfinished |
Color options | Limited to manufacturer’s offering | Fully customizable |
Surface texture | Versatile options, like glossy, matte, etc. | Seamless texture |
Best for | Projects with tight deadlines, newly constructed homes | Projects requiring high customization or matching with the rest of flooring |
Installation
Still hesitating about what is better for you: prefinished or unfinished hardwood flooring? Compare the differences in the installation process for both options:
Aspect | Prefinished | Unfinished |
Installation time | Much faster | Takes more time, as requires several coats of finish |
Labor needs | DIY-friendly | Requires professional approach |
Wait time | Ready to use instantly | Needs several days for finishing and drying |
Durability
When deciding between prefinished and unfinished hardwood, also take a look at the durability of both options:
Aspect | Prefinished | Unfinished |
Finish strength | Extremely durable | A little less durable than factory-applied finish |
Scratch resistance | High resistance to scratches and dents | Prone to scratches |
Moisture resistance | High moisture protection; beveled edges can still absorb moisture | Better moisture protection between floorboards |
How to Find Expert Floor Installation in Boston
When deciding what is better for you, unfinished or finished hardwood flooring, selecting the right flooring expert is one of the most important steps.
Follow the simple steps below to navigate the process efficiently:
Check the credentials and reviews
Make sure the contractor has all necessary certifications and positive reviews from other customers.
Request a free quote
The majority of flooring contractors provide free of charge estimates. Use this option to analyze the timeline, cost, and scope of work.
Get a consultation from flooring experts on your project
This step will help you gain more understanding of the contractor’s approach to serving their customers. Make sure the flooring experts listen to your request carefully and try to provide custom solutions for your specific project.