Table of Contents
- 1 What is the difference between unfinished and prefinished hardwood?
- 2 Can prefinished wood floors be sanded and refinished?
- 3 How can you tell if hardwood is prefinished?
- 4 Which is more durable hardwood or engineered hardwood?
- 5 What do you need to know about prefinished hardwood floors?
- 6 Can You refinish hardwood floors with prefinished topcoat?
What is the difference between unfinished and prefinished hardwood?
The difference between prefinished and unfinished floors is in the name. Prefinished floors are finished before installation, while unfinished floors must be finished after installation.
What is the difference between engineered hardwood and prefinished hardwood?
It is important to note that the advantages of prefinished hardwood flooring apply mostly to solid hardwood products. Engineered hardwood flooring, which is also sold in prefinished form, is engineered with a relatively thin layer of hardwood bonded over core layers of plywood or particleboard.
Can prefinished wood floors be sanded and refinished?
Pre-finished hardwoods can be sanded and refinished. We do it all the time! Most of the pre-finished flooring has a bevel in between each board. If you choose to leave the bevel in the floor then you will still have the opportunity to refinish your floors many more times afterwards.
Do prefinished wood floors need to be sealed?
Although engineered hardwood often comes pre-finished, it is still a good idea to seal it. Sealing adds an extra layer of protection to your flooring, and can also help it last longer.
How can you tell if hardwood is prefinished?
When prefinished hardwood flooring is installed, there will be a micro-bevel or groove in between each board. This creates a floor that is not totally flat, and each board will have a visible line in between it.
Is prefinished hardwood more expensive?
Prefinished floors come at a lower cost. Prefinished solid wood floors initially cost more than unfinished wood flooring—about $2 per square foot for a good grade of red oak. But once you factor in finishing costs, prefinished ends up being less expensive.
Which is more durable hardwood or engineered hardwood?
Engineered hardwood planks are built differently. So, if you have a building with a basement level, and you still want a hardwood floor to enhance the appearance of the area, an engineered hardwood floor will be a much more durable choice than a solid hardwood or a laminate.
How much does it cost to refinish prefinished hardwood floors?
Cost to refinish wood floors:
National average cost | $1,500 |
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Average cost range | $1,294-$1,875 |
Low-end cost | $450 |
High-end cost | $4,939 |
What do you need to know about prefinished hardwood floors?
On a prefinished floor, however, the thick seal layer means that when a section of flooring becomes damaged, the only way to repair it is to either sand the finish off of the entire floor or remove and replace the broken section. A good-quality prefinished solid hardwood floor has all the prestige of site-finished hardwood.
How long does it take for prefinished wood flooring to dry?
Hours or even days may be required for finishes to dry between coats. And after that, the finish can leave a residual odor in the air, requiring weeks to dissipate. By contrast, prefinished floors are ready to go immediately after they are installed. With a site-finished floor, you install the material and then sand it flat.
Can You refinish hardwood floors with prefinished topcoat?
Because of the thick and pervasive nature of the prefinished topcoat, refinishing requires extensive sanding to reach the natural hardwood again. This cuts down on the thickness of the floor planks and limits how many times you can then refinish the floor in the future.
What’s the traditional way to install hardwood flooring?
Traditionally, hardwood flooring was always installed as unfinished planks that were then stained and finished with a protective surface layer, right on the worksite.