If you have already made the wise decision of getting hardwood flooring for your abode, then you have a last choice to make: the choice between prefinished and unfinished flooring. Both these options have their own pros and cons as detailed in the following paragraphs.
Prefinished flooring, also known as factory finished flooring, is the ready to install option in hardwood flooring. While with unfinished wood, you would have to get on-site sanding and protective finishing done after the installation, with prefinished wood, you will be able to walk on the floor right after installation without even having to wait for some days as is the case with unfinished flooring.
With prefinished floors, you would also be saved from any noise, vapors, stench and a continued presence of laborers in your house, basically all the things that you will have to tolerate if you opt to get sanding and finishing done on-site. Prefinshed wood planks will also give you the option of do-it-yourself installation. You will be able to install the factory-finished planks at your leisure without requiring any professional assistance.
The one big disadvantage with the prefinished option is that the end result doesn’t appear as uniform as unfinished wood flooring. This is because unfinished planks are uniformly sanded and worked upon post installation, which protects them from appearing like pieces from a jigsaw puzzle (which is the case with prefinished wood planks). Unfinished wood flooring is also more moisture-proof and protective as no spaces, which are inevitable with pre finished floors, are left between the planks.
But, prefinished floors are the less expensive option between the two. Not only will you be paying less for prefinished wood, but will also save money if you go for installing the flooring on your own. And even if you do decide to get professional help, the workers will not charge as much as they would to install and then finish unfinished flooring.
