What is the difference between pre finished and unfinished hardwood flooring?

Unfinished flooring is raw hardwood that must first be installed and then sanded and refinished on site. Prefinished flooring is factory-finished, and thus each board has been finished individually with sprayed-on coats of polyurethane.

Is it cheaper to buy unfinished hardwood floors?

In terms of budget, unfinished hardwood flooring is cheaper when you just consider the flooring itself. Once you factor in the costs of a finishing treatment, then prefinished flooring actually ends up being cheaper. You can consider the pros and cons of both options and decide what works best for you.

What does unfinished white oak flooring look like?

What is the appearance of unfinished White Oak flooring? White Oak flooring has a more modern and contemporary look. The grain tends to be tighter and straighter than other hardwood floors. The heartwood of White Oak tree is light brown, while the sapwood is white to cream.

How do I know if my hardwood floor is unfinished?

​To tell if your wood floor is sealed, find an inconspicuous area, dab a drop of water on the surface, and see if it soaks in or beads on top. If the water drop beads on top of the wood, your floor is sealed.

Can you walk on unfinished hardwood floors?

To safely walk on unfinished hardwood floors, you must ensure they are adequately sanded during installation. Once smooth, a raw wood floor should be no problem for bare feet. It is important to note that raw floors must be maintained in ways slightly different from a finished wood floor.

What is unfinished oak flooring?

An unfinished hardwood floor is exactly as its name suggests; it is an unfinished, raw material that will need to be protected before it is walked on. The wood has been made into planks of flooring but left ‘unfinished’, meaning that no stains or protective layers have been added.

Is White Oak a good hardwood floor?

Natural White Oak hardwood floors are one of the best species if you are considering a distressed wood floor. Its rich grain and light tones naturally accept a variety of textures.

Should you stain White Oak floors?

For a light and fresh look, stain your white oak hardwood flooring a lighter color. This also smooths and blends the contrast in the grain for a very clean look. For more traditional, rustic, or just darker floors, a dark stain absorbs beautifully and lets the grain really stand out.

Can you leave white oak floors unfinished?

After installing such beautiful natural flooring, you may wonder if it is really necessary to apply wood stain and finish products. Is it okay to leave hardwood floors unfinished? The answer is yes, you do not have to finish a hardwood floor!

Can I leave my wood floors unfinished?

It’s not as common as it used to be, but you can leave the floor unfinished. These are often called raw floors or bare floors. Stains and finishes keep out dirt and moisture, though.