Flooring Types
Unfinished hardwood flooring comes in rough strips of raw materials that are nailed to a wooden subfloor on-site. After installation, it’s sanded and finished. The whole process takes 3 to 5 days because several coats of polyurethane are usually applied to the floor.
Though more labor-intensive, more species and widths are available unfinished.
Prefinished hardwood is stained, coated with polyurethane, and treated with an aluminum oxide protectant by the manufacturer at the factory. Because they aren’t sanded and finished on-site, prefinished floors eliminate the dust and odor of on-site sanding. They can be installed in as little as one day.
Prefinished products are available in solid wood or engineered products, as well as a variety of species.
Engineered products are manufactured by gluing a hardwood surface (called a wear layer) onto a plywood base. Because of their construction, these products can handle moisture better than natural wood. We find engineered flooring is perfect for rooms where dampness is an issue, such as basements, powder rooms, or utility rooms