Pre-finished or unfinished? Which option should you go for with your timber flooring? What should you consider when making your selection? There are some significant differences between pre-finished and unfinished timber flooring. Tied to these differences are some advantages and disadvantages inherent to each option, and these include the following.
Installation Process and Convenience
From sanding to staining and coating, pre-finished timber flooring goes through all the processing at the factory. This type of wood flooring comes ready to be installed, making the process quite easy. Even with factors such as the size of your home or business, the installation of pre-finished timber flooring takes significantly less time.
On the other hand, you should be prepared for the mess that awaits you during installation if you choose to go with unfinished wood flooring. You will have to contend with the by-products of the sanding process and the smell from the applied stains and finishes. You may need to stay away while the installers are at work, especially if you have little kids and pets.
Cost Factor
Upfront, pre-finished timber flooring costs a little more per square foot than its unfinished counterpart. However, the costs of on-site finishing, both for the materials and labor, can really add up. In the end, there may not be too much of a difference in cost. You can save a bit if you can negotiate for a good price with the installer doing your unfinished wood floors and you use inexpensive finishing supplies.
Customization: Style Choices and Aesthetics
With pre-finished timber flooring, you don't get as much flexibility in terms of style choices. However, what you do get is flooring with quite a durable finish, which is perfect for high-traffic areas, such as the kitchen, or for homes in high-humidity areas. You will also be limited to choose from planks of a specific width, length, and grain when you choose pre-finished wood flooring.
On the other hand, unfinished timber flooring leaves you with so many style choices. You can choose from a wide range of colors and shades for the staining to match what you have going on or your home décor. You can also add other custom flooring features such as inlays and borders for that unique look.
Consider the look you want to achieve, your budget, and what you would like out of the installation process. These pointers should help you choose between pre-finished and unfinished timber flooring.
To learn more, contact a flooring supplier.
After tearing out all of the old carpet from our home, I realized that we needed something a little better. I began looking around at alternatives, and I found a really nice laminate that worked well with our budget and that looked really nice. I talked with the installers about putting it in, and they were more than happy to work with us. Within a few weeks, we had a new floor, and it made all the difference in the world. I decided that it would be fun to start an entire blog about flooring, so read more here if you have questions.