Once you've decided to install hardwood flooring in your home, you have two basic choices of finish: prefinished or unfinished. To help you decide, JT's Floor Refinishing, Springfield, MA's premier floor installation company, discusses the advantages and disadvantages of each. This information should help you figure out which type better suits your circumstances.

Prefinished Flooring

Prefinished flooring can be the cheaper and more convenient option depending on the quality of the floor.  Engineered prefinshed flooring ,most often, can not be sanded and refinished down the road, whereas solid will typically last the life of the home with periodic refinishing.  Installation typically takes longer than unfinished but saves the time of on site finishing.   However, prefinished floors often feature micro-beveled edges that can make them harder to clean. Also, you face a risk that the new finish does not match your existing floor. 

Unfinished Hardwood Flooring

One primary advantage of unfinished flooring is that it allows a greater amount of customization. You can shape it however you want. Moreover, if you are installing a hardwood floor in a home with existing hardwood flooring, it is much easier to match the new stain to the existing floor on-site during installation than to do it from the factory. Similarly, unfinished flooring is often your best bet if you want a precisely uniform color and finish throughout the house. Prefinished planks may vary in color and texture. Additionally, if you seek an unusual wood species or require a nonstandard plank width, it is often easier to find what you need in an unfinished state. It costs a bit more, but the difference in quality shows.

Both prefinished and unfinished hardwood flooring have their place, depending on your needs. To discuss your options, contact JT's Floor Refinishing, an experienced floor installation and refinishing service. They've been serving the I91 corridor from Hartford to Vermont for more than 25 years and offer fast, reliable, and affordable work. Visit their website to learn more about the company or call (413) 788-6149 to schedule a consultation.