Hardwood flooring has long been a popular choice for homeowners, offering a timeless, natural look that enhances the beauty of any space. In recent years, prefinished wood flooring has gained traction as an efficient and convenient alternative to traditional unfinished wood. In this blog, we’ll explore the advantages of prefinished hardwood flooring and why it might be the best option for your next home renovation project.
What is prefinished wood flooring?
Before discussing its benefits, it’s important to understand what prefinished hardwood flooring is. Prefinished wood flooring refers to wood planks that are sanded, stained, and coated with protective finishes at the factory before they are installed in your home. This process ensures that each plank is uniformly treated and ready for immediate use once installed, unlike unfinished hardwood, which requires finishing on-site after installation.
Advantage #1: faster and cleaner installation
One of the most significant advantages of prefinished hardwood floors is the streamlined installation process. Because the planks are already finished at the factory, they can be installed quickly without the need for additional sanding, staining, or finishing in your home. This eliminates several time-consuming steps and reduces the overall installation time.
How it saves time:
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Prefinished hardwood arrives ready to install, cutting down the time needed for the project.
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Since there’s no need for on-site finishing, you can use the space immediately after installation.
How it creates a cleaner environment:
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Traditional hardwood finishing produces dust and fumes from sanding and applying finishes, which can be messy and require additional cleanup.
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Prefinished wood avoids these issues, making it ideal for households where dust control is essential, such as homes with allergy sufferers or young children.
Advantage #2: durable and long-lasting finish
Prefinished wood flooring typically comes with a factory-applied finish that is far more durable than the finish applied on-site. This is because the finishing process in a controlled factory environment uses advanced methods such as ultraviolet (UV) curing, which hardens the finish more effectively than traditional on-site applications.
Why it’s more durable:
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Factory-applied finishes often consist of multiple coats of high-quality protective sealants, ensuring a stronger, more resilient surface.
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UV-cured finishes are resistant to wear, scratches, and stains, extending the life of the flooring.
Longer warranties:
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Because of their enhanced durability, prefinished hardwood floors often come with extended warranties from manufacturers, sometimes lasting up to 25 years or more, giving you peace of mind.
Advantage #3: uniformity and quality control
Another key benefit of prefinished hardwood flooring is the uniformity in appearance and finish quality. Each plank is finished in a factory setting, where precise techniques and strict quality control ensure consistency across the entire floor.
Consistent color and texture:
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When you choose prefinished hardwood, you get to see the exact color and texture before it’s installed, eliminating the guesswork involved with unfinished hardwood.
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Every plank is uniformly finished, which means you won’t encounter any discrepancies in color, sheen, or texture across your floor.
Fewer imperfections:
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Factory finishing minimizes the risk of human error, such as uneven application of stain or finish, that can occur during on-site finishing.
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The controlled environment reduces the chances of dust particles or debris getting trapped in the finish, ensuring a flawless final product.
Advantage #4: immediate usability
Prefinished hardwood flooring offers the advantage of being ready to use immediately after installation. With unfinished hardwood, you need to wait for the stain and finish to dry, which can take several days and make your floors unusable in the meantime.
No drying time:
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Prefinished hardwood requires no drying or curing time. Once it’s installed, you can walk on it and move furniture back into the room without delay.
Ideal for busy households:
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For families or households where disruption needs to be minimized, prefinished hardwood is the perfect solution, as it allows you to resume your daily activities immediately after installation.
Advantage #5: wide variety of options
Prefinished wood flooring is available in a wide range of styles, colors, and finishes, making it easy to find the perfect match for your home. Whether you prefer the natural beauty of oak, maple, or walnut or are looking for a particular stain color to match your décor, prefinished options are abundant.
Variety of wood species:
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Prefinished hardwood comes in many different wood species, each offering unique grain patterns and characteristics.
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You can choose from traditional species like oak or more exotic woods such as Brazilian cherry or tigerwood.
Customizable finishes:
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Prefinished hardwood floors are available in various finishes, from matte to high gloss, allowing you to achieve the exact look you want.
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Stain options range from light natural hues to deep, rich colors, giving you the flexibility to complement any design style.
Advantage #6: eco-friendly options
Many manufacturers of prefinished hardwood flooring are increasingly focusing on sustainability. This means that when you choose prefinished hardwood, you may also have access to eco-friendly options, including responsibly sourced wood and low-VOC finishes.
Sustainable wood sourcing:
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Look for prefinished hardwood certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) to ensure the wood is sourced from responsibly managed forests.
Low-VOC finishes:
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Prefinished hardwood floors often use low-VOC (volatile organic compound) finishes, which reduce the emission of harmful chemicals into the air. This is especially important for improving indoor air quality and creating a healthier living environment.
Advantage #7: better protection against moisture
While no hardwood flooring is entirely waterproof, prefinished hardwood tends to offer better moisture resistance compared to unfinished wood. This is largely due to the multiple layers of protective coating applied in the factory, which help seal the wood more effectively.
Moisture resistance:
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The factory finish creates a hard, sealed surface that provides better protection against spills and humidity than the finishes applied on-site.
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This makes prefinished hardwood a good choice for areas that may be exposed to moisture, such as kitchens or entryways, though it’s still important to avoid excessive water exposure.
Lower risk of water damage:
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The enhanced protective coating on prefinished hardwood helps reduce the chances of water seeping into the seams between planks, which can cause warping or cupping.
Advantage #8: cost-effective in the long run
Although prefinished wood flooring may come with a higher upfront cost compared to unfinished hardwood, it is often more cost-effective in the long run. The durability and long-lasting finish reduce the need for frequent maintenance and refinishing, saving you both time and money.
Fewer refinishing costs:
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With unfinished hardwood, you’ll need to refinish the floor more often to maintain its appearance, which can be costly and time-consuming.
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The durable factory finish on prefinished hardwood extends the time between refinishing, helping you avoid these recurring expenses.
Faster installation saves on labor costs:
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Because prefinished hardwood doesn’t require on-site finishing, installation is quicker, which reduces labor costs associated with sanding, staining, and sealing.
Contact National Floors Direct for high-quality hardwood floors
Prefinished hardwood flooring offers a wealth of advantages, from its faster and cleaner installation process to its superior durability and range of style options. Homeowners looking for a convenient, long-lasting, and aesthetically pleasing wood flooring solution will find that prefinished hardwood is an excellent choice.
With its factory-applied finish, prefinished hardwood is more resilient to wear and tear, offers better protection against moisture, and is ready for immediate use. Plus, the variety of options in wood species, finishes, and eco-friendly choices makes it a versatile option for any home design.
If you're ready to explore the many benefits of prefinished hardwood flooring, contact National Floors Direct today. We’ll help you find the perfect flooring solution to match your style, budget, and lifestyle. Let us bring the showroom to your door!
