Site Finished or Pre-Finished
If you are having a new hardwood floor installed, then one of the first questions you need to ask yourself is "Do I want a site-finished floor or a pre-finished floor?"
Here is some of the pros and cons for you to consider regarding both of these products.Site-Finished is installed and then has to be sanded and finished in place. The benefits in choosing this are:
- Customization is easier, so more options are available to you. There are endless possibilities of species and stain color selections that can be made.
- Custom borders or installations are easier to do and look better with a site-finished floor.
- The floor is easier to repair.
- The floor is sanded flat and smooth so there are no micro-bevel cracks between the boards and there is no height differences between boards.
- Some boards in an installation must be nailed through the top, these are then filled, sanded and finished and are barely noticeable.
- A site-finished floor with a high-quality finish applied will wear the same as a pre-finished floor and is easier to fix and maintain.
- If you damage a site-finished floor, you can sand and refinish the damaged area.
- Does require you to be out of the home for a few days while the floor is sanded and finished.
- The finish must cure enough before you can place furniture and area rugs onto it.
Pre-Finished is pre-finished at the factory and just has to be installed.
- You don’t have to be out of the home for sanding and finishing.
- Furniture and area rugs can be put on the floor immediately after installation.
- It carries a manufacturer warranty.
- Higher-end products have a very durable finish.
- It has a micro-bevel which can trap dirt and allow spilled water to seep in.
- Nail holes are filled but can be noticeable.
- Many species and stain colors are available to choose from.
