Homeowners have a lot to consider when they get work done on their home. Every decision that they make can ultimately have a huge impact on their home’s overall look and feel.
Your flooring can be one of the most important things that you do in your home. You may think that by choosing wide plank hardwood floors, there isn’t much else to think about. Even after selecting a species, you still have a few more choices to make, including deciding between unfinished and prefinished plank hardwood floors. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at each of these options so that you can decide which one will best meet the needs for your specific project.
Unfinished Wide Plank Floors
Unfinished white oak wide plank floors
Pros: You are going to get smooth edges with unfinished flooring, unlike the beveled edges that you will get from prefinished flooring. This is purely a style preference. Unfinished flooring can be stained to match other flooring in the house, rather than trying to find the closest match with prefinished flooring.This is also a more affordable choice, as it can oftentimes be more expensive per square foot to purchase prefinished plank hardwood floors. However, when you factor in the installation costs for unfinished wide plank floors, the costs are usually comparable. Lastly, the lack of bevels also make unfinished floors easier to clean.
Cons: Of course, there are some downsides with this type of flooring to consider. Installation can get pretty messy as the flooring will need to be sanded and finished onsite. The staining can also cause a lot of odor in the house that can spread to other rooms. You may want to stay elsewhere while the flooring is installed due to the fumes created by the finish and any stains that may be applied. A final con is that this requires a specialized professional to install, otherwise there can be issues with the installation that will end up costing you more.
Prefinished Wide Plank Flooring
Prefinished engineered distressed white oak wide plank floors
Pros: One of the biggest benefits to prefinished wide plank flooring is that it is a very durable choice. The reason these are more durable is because the finish, which is usually UV-cured, is applied in the factory. A special process is used to apply a powerful chemical sealer that strengthens the wood. The warranties for these prefinished treatments can be between 5 and 25 years whereas the onsite finished only has a warranty of a few years, after which the floors must often be refinished.
You will also get benefits from an ease of maintenance and the fact that it is easier to install. Prefinished hardwood flooring does not need to be sanded down, which can be very messy and time consuming. Its durability makes it so that it can be impervious to staining and discoloration.
Cons: There are some downsides to this type of flooring. For one thing, you will get seams when the flooring is installed, which can lead to dirt and grime getting stuck in these gaps. Another downside is that you may end up refinishing the floor down the line, which can be messy and complicated. You will also need to get rid of the board that is damaged entirely rather than just sanding it down to fix it.
In Conclusion…
There are some obvious pros and cons with either choice. Ultimately, the decision will come down to personal preference. If you are looking for something more customizable or versatile, unfinished flooring can be a better choice. If you want something that is durable and easy to install and maintain, you will want to choose prefinished flooring.
If you have questions about which wide plank floor to choose for your home or project, you can chat with one of our wood floor experts by calling 877-697-5265 or emailing us at info@wideplankfloorsupply.com.