Prefinished Hardwood Flooring
Prefinished Hardwood Flooring; all you need to know. This newer form of flooring has become increasingly popular; and most wanted. Because the surface seal is stronger and more durable when it is applied at the factory; the maintenance of these floors is easier.
They tend to be slightly more impervious to stains; moisture, and other discolorations than floors that are finished on-site. In addition, the longer-lasting finish means that you will not have to go through the time, mess; and expense of getting the floors refinished a few years later.
A good-quality prefinished solid hardwood floor has all the prestige of site-finished hardwood. Any hardwood floor generally adds real estate value to a floor; especially when compared to look-alike “wood” products; such as laminate flooring. With hundreds of options available; there really is no decor limitation when it comes to choosing prefinished solid hardwood flooring.
Sanding, Staining and Varnishing process
Besides since there is no need for the sanding, staining, and varnishing process needed for unfinished hardwood. Sanding is a messy procedure that fills the room with wood dust; which then has to be thoroughly cleaned. Hours or even days may be required for finishes to dry between coats. And after that, the finish can leave a residual odor in the air, requiring weeks to dissipate. By contrast, prefinished floors are ready to go immediately after they are installed.
With a site-finished floor, you install the material and then sand it flat. This allows you to remove any height irregularities which may exist due to an uneven subfloor. But with prefinished materials, there is no sanding process; so the actual surface of the installation will reflect any below-surface flaws that may be present. Therefore; a perfectly flat subfloor is essential to ensure a smooth surface.
With prefinished flooring, you get all of the advantages of the factory-applied extra-durable surface seal; plus the look, beauty, and feel of natural hardwood. At the same time, you also always have the option later on of sanding down past the factory-applied coat to reveal the natural wood. It can then be treated with any of the basic on-site finishing techniques.
Because the material is finished at the factory; a sealing agent is not applied to the lines between the planks when they are installed. This creates slightly beveled grooves between boards; which can trap dirt and grime. The seams also may be susceptible to water penetration; which can cause rot or mold to grow beneath the surface of the floor.
Good quality products lend the same elegance and improved real estate value as site-finished hardwood floors.
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