Is it better to buy prefinished or unfinished hardwood floor?

What hardwood floor finish is most durable?

Polyurethane is actually the most durable hardwood floor finish.

Does unfinished hardwood flooring need to be sanded?

Sanding a new unfinished floor is a necessary chore. Not sanding a freshly laid hardwood floor and finishing it as is, makes the installation less messy and time-consuming, but it would be a mistake. Sanding levels the edges of the floorboards, which can vary from one another by as much as 1/4 inch.

How often do prefinished hardwood floors need to be refinished?

Takeaway: Your worn down pre-finished hardwood flooring can be refinished up to 5 times. You can change the color of the entire floor each time that it’s completely refinished.

Is prefinished hardwood durable?

Prefinished hardwood flooring offers a more durable finish.

Prefinished flooring coated with superior chemical sealers can maintain its good looks for as long as 25 years without dulling or wearing thin.

Do you need to seal prefinished hardwood floors?

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 soon can you walk on refinished hardwood floors?

How long do I have to wait to use my room after my floors are refinished? We recommend waiting 6 hours before walking on your new floors in socks. After 24 hours you can walk through with shoes on. Allow 48 hours before setting furniture and returning pets.

What is the difference between unfinished and prefinished hardwood?

Prefinished floors are finished before installation, while unfinished floors must be finished after installation. … On the other hand, unfinished floors are raw hardwood that has been cut into planks, but must first be installed and then sanded and refinished on site.

How long do prefinished hardwood floors last?

Pre-Finished Flooring Means Durable Flooring

3 to 5 years for site-applied finishes).


Can you walk on unfinished hardwood floors?

Unfinished hardwood flooring must be sanded, stained and dry before anyone walks on it. … Then, you may need to wait additional days or even weeks to walk on the new floors while you wait for the polyurethane coats to dry.

How do you get scratches out of prefinished hardwood floors?

And just apply it to the floor. And then I’m going to kind of blend it in to the other floor. And

Will polyurethane fill cracks in wood floor?

The dust from sanding wood of the same species is preferable, as larger sawdust may show unwanted texture. Mix the dust with some polyurethane and fill the cracks. Note that this method only works on an unfinished floor and will clash with pre-finished floors.

Can you put polyurethane over prefinished hardwood flooring?

In general, you shouldn’t apply polyurethane over a floor that has already been stained and sealed with other products. If the manufacturer indicates that the floor has been treated with polyurethane but you want to apply additional coats for added protection, you may do so after the floor has been installed.

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.

Do prefinished hardwood floors come off gas?

Pre-finished hardwood planks are finished at factory. You don’t have to wait for finish to be applied, dried and cured since this process has been done at the factory. Therefore, you avoid large off-gassing of VOCs or odors that happens during this process.

How much does it cost to finish unfinished hardwood floors?

Cost to Refinish Hardwood Floors

Refinishing hardwood floors costs $1,770 on average with a typical range between $1,075 and $2,490. You can expect to pay anywhere from $3 to $8 per square foot. For large and complex jobs, you might spend up to $4,000. The more area you have, the lower the square foot price.