One important decision to make about having wood flooring in your home is the finishing process. The two options available—prefinished and site finished flooring—will have a big impact on the overall cost and look of your floor. Both types of floors will look great and can last a lifetime, but both offer different options that savvy homeowners may want to take advantage of. Here are important things to consider when choosing between prefinished vs. site finished floors.

 Cost

• Prefinished hardwood lacks additional labor aside from installation, so it’s cheaper than site finished floors.
  
  
• Site finished hardwood needs to be sanded, stained and finished in addition to installation, so it’s more expensive.

 Style

• The look of prefinished hardwoodis limited to the manufacturer’s selections and specifications. It can be difficult to match existing wood in your home or make repairs if the product is unavailable.
  
  
• Site finished hardwoodoffers more customized options. Site finished floors offer more selections in stains, finishes and other decorative options. Site finished wood floors can have a more natural, uniform look compared to prefinished flooring.

Installation

• Installation of prefinished hardwood flooringis quicker than site-finished wood floors. Ultimately a one-shot process, you can walk on floors immediately with prefinished hardwood.
  
  
• Site finished hardwoodrequires additional processes before installation. Additional wait time is needed to allow for site finished hardwood to fully cure. However, if you are dealing with a new construction or massive renovation, using site finished floors may be a better option.

Maintenance

• Prefinished hardwood floorsare made with a bevel to make the individual planks look more uniform. Because of this, the small spaces they create can attract more debris.
  
  
• Site finished hardwood floorswill look smoother without the bevels and will attract less dirt and dust.

Both prefinished and site finished floors will give you a beautiful look to your home. For expert help in making the right decision, contact a Bona Certified Craftsman to help you create the perfect floor that fits your needs and budget.