prefinished vs unfinished hardwood flooring

When you finally make the decision to install wood flooring in your home, there are many choices for you to consider. In our last post we discussed types of finishes you could use on your new flooring. Before you can make that decision though, you must decide, do you want to go with prefinished floors or unfinished floors for your installation? It may seem like just another detail to overlook but there are key differences one must consider. If you are going to make the worthwhile investment in your new home, making the right selections for you and your home is imperative. In this post we will discuss the differences between unfinished and prefinished wood flooring so you can make the right purchase for your home.

                All wood floors require a finish, which is a protective coat that protects your investment from every day wear and tear including stains and moisture. But what exactly is the different between unfinished and prefinished flooring? When you purchase prefinished flooring it will come from the factory with a finish already applied. This protective coat is applied in a controlled environment and an ideal atmosphere for curing and drying. With this option you also get the choice of what kind of edges you would like such as square edging or a slight bevel that will enhance the diverse patterns on the paneling of the floor. The other option you have is unfinished flooring. When purchasing unfinished flooring it will come from the factory in its natural state. Once put in, your installer will sand the floor, then stain it, and complete with a finish of your choice. The end edges are normally left squared.

                There are advantages and disadvantages in both types of wood flooring. With finished flooring you get the advantage of less wear and tear. When it is finished at the factory you will end up with at least 6 coats of finish while its unfinished counterpart typically only gets 3 on site during installation. This will make your floor last longer and possess a greater scratch resistance. The installation also tends to be less messy. You will not have to worry about dust from sanding or the odor from the freshly applied finishing. A deciding factor for many people though is the time involved from installation to walkable floors. Since prefinished flooring is already dry when it arrives, you can walk on it the same day, and since sanding and staining are not involved, install time is usually cut in half. Finally, most prefinished floors will come with a limited manufacturer’s warranty against panel defects.

                While all the advantages make it seem like prefinished flooring is the perfect choice, you must consider the disadvantages as well. Since the floors are not sealed on site, the cracks in between the panels can become traps for dirt and dust. Also, when it comes time that you want to refinish the floor, you may lose a considerable amount of wood to level the area since prefinished pieces are generally thinner. As prefinished flooring is not sanded on site you may notice little bumps in the wood if the subflooring is not fixed or leveled first. Finally, if a panel gets damaged it usually means having to rip out the entire piece and replace it since a quick sanding and finish is not normally an option.

                Unfinished floors come with distinct advantages and some disadvantages as well. With unfinished wood floors you can expect a smooth finish, no worries of dirt or dust getting trapped in the edges. Some people also prefer the lack of beveled edges, believing it looks more natural without them. A big draw for unfinished floors is the ability to customize the appearance and color. The installer can test stains for you and even mix stains to get the perfect look you desire. This option is great if you already have hardwood floors installed elsewhere and wish to match the color. It is also excellent for wanting to match your furniture, cabinets, or wall color. In most cases, unfinished floors will cost less than their prefinished equivalents. You also get more choices in types of wood you can purchase; many diverse widths and exotic woods are only available in unfinished floors. When choosing an unfinished floor you can even have the installer do a customized design with inlays which are design patterns, borders, or medallions in the flooring.

                There are some disadvantages associated with unfinished floors too. They tend to come with a messier installation since sanding can kick up dust. The installation itself also takes longer. There is no put it together and leave, the installer must sand it, stain it, and finish it. Once all of these are done, you still must wait for the floor to dry and cure before walking on it. This often doubles the installation time and if most of the house is getting done at one time or common areas such as the living room, this usually means your family must go somewhere else until installation and drying is complete. As mentioned before, unfinished floors can be less durable. At the factory prefinished floors are produced with up to 6 coats of finish, while typically unfinished floors are only given 3 coats on site.

                Whichever decision you make, New Touch Woodworking in Kitsap County is here to help! We can answer any questions or concerns you may have about which flooring you should go with. Once you make your choice we will be there with you from start to finish, from answering questions all the way to after installation. We know that installing new hardwood floors can be a big decision but with all of its advantages and remarkable beauty, we know it is the right choice for you. Please contact New Touch Woodworking here in Kitsap County and we can find the flooring that is right for you! 

Low maintenance, low voc, high durability, floor finish

Hardwood floors are a beautiful addition to any home. They are healthier, low maintenance, sustainable, and unrivaled in beauty and value. Once you have made the decision for hardwood floors you must then decide on a finish type. Some flooring can come from the manufacture already finished. However, if you want the option for a specific color or the ability to match it with your current furniture, unfinished is the way to go. Once your floors are put in, your installer will sand the wood and apply the finishing agent themselves. With so many finishes to choose from, how do you know which one is right for you? While all hardwood floors require some maintenance such as sweeping or dust mopping, some finishes require more upkeep than others and considering your lifestyle and preferences is essential in choosing the right finish.

One of the best finishes you can use is Pallmann 98. Pallmann 98 is a water-based finish which is unmatched in durability. It is natural for some wood floors to yellow or get darker eventually. Exposure to direct sunlight can greatly increase this effect. Pallmann 98 applies as a clear coat that resists yellowing overtime. This finish is easy to apply and offers a stunning sheen to your new floor that is not UV sensitive which helps protect from the color changing effect. Another perk offered by Pallman that many people don’t think to ask about is its low VOC amount. VOC stands for volatile organic compound which describes the carbon containing liquid that evaporates at room temperature. This is what usually causes the offensive odor of popular finishes. Pallmann 98 has a low VOC amount which is why it contains such low odor. This finish can be applied and dried within 2 to 3 hours with very little fuss or offensive smell.

New Touch Woodworking in Kitsap County specializes in Pallmann 98 applications on your new hardwood floor. We will sand and apply the finish to your fresh floors with little drying time and certainly almost no odor concerns. One of the reasons we used Pallmann 98 is because of its durability. It has outstanding filling capacity and exceptionally high chemical and wear and tear resistance. While Pallman 98 is fantastic as a surface finish, we always suggest Magic Oil when the desired look is for a wax floor. Magic Oil is a surface treatment that is made with a mix of natural oils and waxes. It creates the perfect uniform, smooth, matte surface that repels dirt and water. It is also quick drying, has a low VOC, is chemical resistance, non-flammable, and can easily be used for spot repair. If you have picked out the perfect color for your floor, you won’t have to worry about Magic Oil changing it since it is neutral and only enhances the natural grain of the wood. If you need reliable service and durable floors with a beautiful finish then look no further! New Touch Woodworking is here to put passion back into your flooring. Don’t forget to ask us about Pallmann 98 and Magic Oil!

wide plank floor

My latest floor: purchased from Pacific Northwest Timber in Port Townsend by the homeowner, installed and sanded by yours truly, had another life before becoming a floor.  The flooring was made out of an old warehouse built in Portland Oregon in the early 40's. Special considerations had to be made when installing and finishing due to the width, character, and length of these boards, at almost 11 inches wide and most boards at 23 feet long, this was a fun floor to install. The homeowner had a beautiful fireplace she wanted to stand out, so we decided on putting a picture frame around it to accent the area. Each board was carefully picked to be cut to length, dry fit, looked at, pulled up, glued on the back of the board, and installed using nails and staples. The homeowner wanted as rustic a look as possible... that meant only filling the largest of knots with a black filler then lightly sanding with a fine screen just to get the dirt off and coating with Pallmann Magic oil. The results; the perfect floor, for a beautiful accent to the homeowners prized fireplace stonework, with handcrafted glass fish majestically swimming up the rocks as if to reach the top of the Mountain just outside the window.

Red oak refinish in port orchard

I wanted to share just a few of the pictures of the floor I have been working on.

The before: This floor had two existing areas in the kitchen and entry with a white wash stain (an interesting fad in the late 90's). The challenge was to install new flooring to match what was already there, so we added flooring in the hall, family room, and dinning room with a mix of #1 common and select northern red oak. Lacing in ( joining old and new flooring seamlessly to give the look of being installed at the same time) two areas and installing a hall.

The final result from the home owner via text...

"Jason I love the floors, they are beautiful. Thank you! I will be telling everyone to hire you."

Mission accomplished! 

Welcome!

So, you found us!!! Welcome to our blog. As I have mentioned on our home page, we are a hardwood flooring company based in Hansville, WA but we maintain business all over Kitsap county or wherever we need to go. Our passion is in finding a gem under years of old carpet or linoleum. We refinish, install, repair, and refurbish all hardwood flooring. Send us an email or give us a call today for your free estimate!