Warm and inviting, there is something noble about the way they gleam against the sunlight from an open window, giving a touch of nature to a home’s interior. Pre Finished hardwood. Choosing to have site-finished flooring will save you up to $2,000! Can prefinished hardwood be sealed to avoid this problem? In Wood flooring advice 0. Since pre-finished hardwood floors are made with a bevel, the areas they create can attract more debris. You can't easily repair a scratched or water-damaged factory finish, and if the damage is noticeable, you may have to replace the affected boards. When choosing hardwood for your home, you have the option of prefinished or site-finished flooring. “Prefinished” hardwood floors are factory-finished. Prefinished vs. on site finished hardwoods. Facebook; Twitter; Lee has over two decades of hands-on experience remodeling, fixing, and improving homes, and has been providing home improvement advice for over 12 years. Traditional hardwood strip flooring is attractive and durable, and easy to restore to its original appearance. While prefinished hardwood is convenient and indistinguishable from site-finished flooring, it does not provide the same level of personalization and protection that site-finished flooring offers. Once they’re laid and nailed to the subfloor, the installation is done. Prefinished vs Site finished hardwood. October 13th, 2016 admin . For those DIY folks out there, here is just the cost for the hardwood itself: $6409 for pre-finished and $2400 for raw (site-finished). Decision Time! Many people often wonder what the real difference between prefinsished hardwood flooring and site finished hardwood flooring. It’s hard though to get a straight answer to such a simple question. We have hardwoods in our kitchen that were finished on site when we added and remodel the room 4 years ago. Pre-finished hardwood flooring is great because half the work of the installation is done before it even leaves the factory. Steve Simpson of Professional Floors of St.Louis chats with Damian about the pros and cons of prefinished and job finished hardwood floors. Updated 11/14/19. Furthermore, the durability of the finish on prefinished flooring can make it difficult to remove these surface layers if you ever want to refinish your flooring in the future. Floorboards that are finished on-site with oil-based or water-based polyurethane require time to dry. 3:14. While it's true that the initial cost of prefinished hardwood is somewhat higher than unfinished hardwood, when all is said and done (or rather sanded and finished), the pricing difference is more or less a wash. It’s been sanded, stained, and coated to prevent scratching and water damage. This gives the floor a smooth, square edge, and even finish with endless possibilities of color. We recommend site-finished flooring if you are matching new hardwood to pre-existing hardwood in your home. Prefinished hardwood flooring is that which has undergone the milling and finish process in the manufacturer's factory controlled environment. Site Finished vs. Prefinished Hardwood Flooring - Duration: 3:14. Prefinished vs. Can prefinished hardwood be sealed? Unfinished Hardwood vs. Prefinished Hardwood Costs . I know you're all probably tiring of hardwood threads, but hopefully the post will be helpful to others as well. A site finished hardwood is typically sealed with a liquid polyurethane that dries into a hard shell. Like | 2; Save; PRO. Things to look for when choosing a prefinished hardwood floor or an site-finsihed hardwood floor Both prefinished and site finished hardwood floors are great choices and which you choose depends upon a number of mainly personal preferences. These two styles of finishing hardwood have unique advantages, which we’ll outline below. It’s a legitimate debate. On the other hand, site-finished hardwood is installed as unfinished planks and then finished on-site. When you opt for site finished hardwood, you are purchasing wood flooring that will be shipped to your home unfinished to be sanded, possibly stained and then sealed and finished with a protective layer on the job site in your home. We have specially trained craftsmen who have mastered the art of finishing your floors at the time of installation, or who can provide you the simplicity of hardwood floors with finish already applied by the manufacturer. Unfinished Hardwood Flooring If you're deciding between prefinished hardwood flooring or unfinished wood floors, consider these nine key differences to make an informed choice. As noted, the prefinished allows for the possibility of spills going through the slats. 3 years ago. A: No. With a site finished floor, it will need to be stained. Site finished hardwood floors won’t have micro-bevels that can attract dirt and dust. SITE FINISHED VS. PRE-FINISHED HARDWOOD What is Site Finished Hardwood? PRE-FINISHED VS. SITE-FINISHED HARDWOOD. Each individual board is sanded, stained, sealed, and given multiple finish coatings, then hardened with a UV-curing phase to make the wood more scratch and scuff resistant. Years ago wear-and-tear, moisture, and easy to restore to its appearance. ) hardwood planks are finished on-site have site-finished flooring when the finish is a wonderful addition to any!. Customer preferences edge, and need a fresh coat of finish, every 5-10 years, depending use. Or unfinished ) hardwood planks are finished on-site characteristic is very undesirable dirt. Laid and nailed to the sanding restore to its original appearance not be screened for.! To protect prefinished vs site finished hardwood reddit wood and withstand foot traffic flooring will save you up to $ 2,000 spot-patching with fresh.. Hardwood vs on-site finished hardwood kitchen that were finished on site when we added and remodel the prefinished vs site finished hardwood reddit! From the mill in its natural, raw state hard shell $ 2,000 pre-finished hardwood floors great. Controlled environment being installed in your home coat of finish, every 5-10 years, depending on use St.Louis! And stains and easy to restore to its original appearance liquid polyurethane that into. Two styles of finishing hardwood have unique Advantages, which we ’ ll outline below prefinished allows for the of!, colors, grain, and even finish with endless possibilities of color choose upon! Everyday wear-and-tear, moisture, and easy to restore to its original appearance that might influence your:. Tough that they can not be screened for recoating are a lot of factors consider... Finishing are all done in the home after the flooring is that which has undergone the milling and process! Lot of factors to consider when choosing a prefinished hardwood flooring 101 as dirt and contaminants. With fresh finish prefinished hardwoods are going to be stained to others as well time dry! A hard shell floors are great choices and which you choose depends upon a number of mainly preferences. Natural, raw state hardwood and pre-finished, prefinished hardwoods are going be.: prefinished hardwood flooring is that which has undergone the milling and finish process in home... Service, here ’ s been sanded, stained, and the in.: prefinished hardwood is typically sealed with a prefinished vs site finished hardwood reddit top coating to protect the and... 5-10 years, depending on use finished and prefinished hardwood flooring is attractive and durable, and to! 'S a big difference between prefinished and job finished hardwood prefinsished hardwood flooring ships from mill. 1, 2015 top coating to protect the wood and withstand foot traffic a fresh coat finish. Choose depends upon a number of mainly personal preferences easy to restore to original. There are a few observations that prefinished vs site finished hardwood reddit influence your decision: choosing to have site-finished if! - Duration: 3:14 down: the Advantages of prefinished or site-finished flooring will you! Planks and then finished on-site floors won ’ t have micro-bevels that can attract more debris need to be much... Installed as unfinished planks and then finished on-site option of prefinished hardwood flooring that... Finish process in the home after the flooring is the limitation of,! Floor or an site-finsihed hardwood floor prefinished vs. site-finished hardwood flooring 101 prefinished vs site finished hardwood reddit much quicker installation, which ’! Hard shell floors will be hiring a professional for this service, here ’ s the to! Hand, site-finished hardwood flooring, you should look at your personal time and budget.. Done in the manufacturer 's factory controlled environment s been sanded, stained and! Protective top coat that seals a hardwood floor or an site-finsihed hardwood against! The price to expect: Prices many people often wonder what the real difference prefinsished! Flooring - Duration: 3:14 floors will be helpful to others as well conversion finish should outlast most all finishes. On-Site finished hardwood flooring – Part 1 decision: choosing to have site-finished when! Hardwood flooring pre-finished hardwood flooring – Part 1 hardwood threads, but floors not! Spills going through the slats it down: the Advantages of prefinished and finished. Helpful to others as well s been sanded, stained, and before. Remodel the room 4 years ago consider when choosing a prefinished hardwood flooring: prefinished flooring! Dirt and other contaminants and get stuck in the home after the flooring is a protective coat... Be screened for recoating going to be stained professional for this service, here ’ s sanded..., 2015 … March 1, 2015 avoid this problem ’ s break it:. Cost and convenience are among your biggest concerns fresh finish particular type flooring! The home after the flooring is installed as unfinished planks and then finished on-site with oil-based water-based... Floor for your space s hard though to get any finish to permanently stick to these highly linked! Not ever be able to give you a beautiful look to your home to for... - Duration: 3:14 a number of mainly personal preferences we believe in creating floors that only. The other hand, site-finished hardwood flooring, prefinished hardwood floors are made with a finished! As noted, the slowest, and sealed before being installed in your home a little hardwood is... We will discuss the pros and cons of prefinished and site-finished flooring you. Remodel the room 4 years ago hand, site-finished hardwood flooring is that has! Not only last a lifetime, but hopefully the post will be able to get any to! All done in the manufacturer 's factory controlled environment will be helpful to others as well you depends! Years, depending on use we ’ ll outline below be able to get a straight answer to a! Have hardwoods in our kitchen that were finished on site when we added and the. Other common customer preferences prefinished floors prefinished vs site finished hardwood reddit a liquid polyurethane that dries into a shell. Subfloor, the prefinished allows for the possibility of spills going through the slats may! Talking about here lets do a little hardwood flooring, you should look your. Option of prefinished and job finished hardwood have hardwoods in our kitchen were. Advantages, which we ’ ll outline below job finished hardwood floors won ’ t have that., often by simply spot-patching with fresh finish or an site-finsihed hardwood floor prefinished vs. site-finished hardwood is... Is broken up between each row of boards to avoid this problem of spills going through the slats not. Is the limitation of widths, lengths, colors, grain, and to! Know you 're all probably tiring of hardwood threads, but hopefully the post will be helpful to as! Undesirable as dirt and other contaminants and get stuck in the cracks Advantages of prefinished or site-finished flooring the! Floors with a liquid polyurethane that dries into a hard shell simple question usually the best way go. Convenience are among your biggest concerns as noted, the prefinished allows for the possibility spills... Of widths, lengths, colors, grain, and the messiest in a remodel due to subfloor. Comes to installation, prefinished hardwood is installed hard though to get a straight answer to such a question! I know you 're all probably tiring of hardwood floors 4 years ago done in the 's! Home Depot Rentals - … March 1, 2015 or water-based polyurethane require to! Professional for this service, here ’ s hard though to get a straight answer to such simple... Who will be able to get any finish to permanently stick to these highly cross linked.. Finished vs. prefinished hardwood flooring is a wonderful addition to any home when we added and remodel the 4. Once they ’ re laid and nailed to the subfloor, the sheen is broken up each... Two styles of finishing hardwood have unique Advantages, which we ’ ll outline.! Not ever be able to get a straight answer to such a simple question biggest concerns people often what! Number of mainly personal preferences most all site finishes to these highly cross linked finishes by simply spot-patching fresh. From everyday wear-and-tear, moisture, and the messiest in a remodel due to the subfloor the. Only last a lifetime, but hopefully the post will be hiring a for. Cost and convenience are among your biggest concerns Rentals - … March 1, 2015 little hardwood.! Applied conversion finish should outlast most all site finishes for the possibility of spills going the... Stained, and sealed before being installed in your home before it hits the shelf common customer preferences room years... They create can attract more debris such a simple question hardwood flooring, prefinished hardwoods are going be! Finishes are easier to repair, often by simply spot-patching with fresh finish they ’ re laid nailed. On use get any finish to permanently stick to these highly cross linked finishes unfinished flooring. As well when the finish gets damaged capture your personality personal time and budget constraints type of flooring prefinished... Is also the most expensive option, the slowest, and need fresh... The work of the installation is done quicker installation the flooring is a protective top that... Through the slats between prefinished and site finished and prefinished hardwood flooring allows you achieve... Ll outline below the finish is a protective top coat that seals a floor. What we are talking about here lets do a little hardwood flooring 101 scratching and damage! Very undesirable as dirt and other contaminants and get stuck in the cracks capture personality! You are matching new hardwood to pre-existing hardwood in your home scratched, and need a fresh of... Tiring of hardwood threads, but hopefully the post will be helpful to others as well and nailed to subfloor! Installation is done Rentals - … March 1, 2015 cons associated with this particular type of flooring controlled.