Pre-finished vs. On-site Finishing
There are many things to consider when choosing pre-finished vs.
solid wood floors.
Advantages of Pre-Finished Wood:
Considerations with Pre-Finished Wood:
AS YOU CAN SEE- THIS DECISION IS BASED ON MANY FACTORS
WHICH WE WOULD BE HAPPY TO DISCUSS WITH YOU AT YOUR
INITIAL APPOINTMENT, FREE ESTIMATE, OR IN OUR SHOWROOM.
There are many things to consider when choosing pre-finished vs.
solid wood floors.
Advantages of Pre-Finished Wood:
- Ease of installation; Installers usually only need a day or two
(depending on the floor size) to complete the job with no
sanding, and no finishes used on site. This typically means
less cost for labor, and more important to some- less dust
and fumes.
- Because the pre-finished floor already has been coated,
usually multiple times, at the factory - it does not have to be
sanded and finished on-site, it is more convenient to install,
and requires less equipment to complete the job.
- Also because of the multiple coats of finish applied at the
factory, pre-finished wood flooring is very durable, and the
finish itself is under warranty by the manufacturer, many of
which are 25 years or more.
- Engineered, pre-finished, wood is the wood of choice for
moist and below grade environments. Solid wood should not
be used in basements or elsewhere moisture lurks.
- Some people prefer the look of beveled and eased edges on
their flooring, which is impossible to achieve with solid wood
which is finished on-site.
Considerations with Pre-Finished Wood:
- Pre-finished has small bevels between each board. Some
consumers are bothered by the look of the bevels. Solid, site-
finished flooring is sanded and sealed at the job site, which
means no spaces between planks, and no bevel appearance.
- A pre-finished floor will show any unevenness in the sub-
flooring. A bump in the sub-floor means a bump in the pre-
finished floor; unless the sub-floor is fixed first. Site finished
flooring is sanded flat, so there is more room for correcting
slight irregularities or slight height variations.
- If your pre-finished floor gets damaged sometimes it is
difficult to get exact matches for the finish on your existing
pre-finished floor, (especially if you don't know the original
manufacturer.)
AS YOU CAN SEE- THIS DECISION IS BASED ON MANY FACTORS
WHICH WE WOULD BE HAPPY TO DISCUSS WITH YOU AT YOUR
INITIAL APPOINTMENT, FREE ESTIMATE, OR IN OUR SHOWROOM.
| Finishing Touches |
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Factors to consider when finishing your hardwood include:
 | Pre-finished vs. On-Site finishing (More details below) |
| Water vs. Oil based finishes |
| Matte, semi-gloss, and high gloss finishes |
| Natural vs. Custom (stained) finishes | |
| COMMON GRADING NAMES |
Clear Grade - Most uniform in color,
longer lengths, virtually no blemishes or
knots.
Select & Better - Very uniform in color,
longer lengths, virtually no blemishes or
knots.
Country or Exclusive Grades - Boards
are starting to show the natural character
such as lighter and darker boards, shorter
board average, small pinholes and tiny
knots possible.
Traditional/Antique/Character Grades-
Boards show a lot of natural character
such as light and dark boards, pinholes
and knots possible, small checks allowed.
Overall board lengths are shorter.
Tavern or Cabin Grade - Boards show a
lot of character such as light and dark
boards, lengths of boards are shorter
approx 24" average. Pinholes and knots
can be quite evident.
longer lengths, virtually no blemishes or
knots.
Select & Better - Very uniform in color,
longer lengths, virtually no blemishes or
knots.
Country or Exclusive Grades - Boards
are starting to show the natural character
such as lighter and darker boards, shorter
board average, small pinholes and tiny
knots possible.
Traditional/Antique/Character Grades-
Boards show a lot of natural character
such as light and dark boards, pinholes
and knots possible, small checks allowed.
Overall board lengths are shorter.
Tavern or Cabin Grade - Boards show a
lot of character such as light and dark
boards, lengths of boards are shorter
approx 24" average. Pinholes and knots
can be quite evident.
Clear Grade - Most uniform in color,
longer, lengths, virtually no blemishes
or knots.
Select & Better - Very uniform in
color, longer lengths, virtually no
blemishes or knots.
#1 Common - Board starting to show
the natural character such as lighter
and darker boards, shorter board
average, pinholes and knots are
present.
#2 Common - Boards show a lot of
natural Character such as light and
dark boards, larger knots and checks
allowed. Over all board lengths are
shorter.
Shorts - Boards show a lot of natural
character such as light and dark
boards, lengths of boards are
extremely short approx 16" average,
knots and pinholes are quite evident.
longer, lengths, virtually no blemishes
or knots.
Select & Better - Very uniform in
color, longer lengths, virtually no
blemishes or knots.
#1 Common - Board starting to show
the natural character such as lighter
and darker boards, shorter board
average, pinholes and knots are
present.
#2 Common - Boards show a lot of
natural Character such as light and
dark boards, larger knots and checks
allowed. Over all board lengths are
shorter.
Shorts - Boards show a lot of natural
character such as light and dark
boards, lengths of boards are
extremely short approx 16" average,
knots and pinholes are quite evident.
| ENGINEERED/LAMINATE FLOORING |
| NATURAL WOOD FLOORING |
FOR MORE INFORMATION AND IDEAS
Hansen's uses BonaKemi professional wood products to bring out the best in your wood.
Click HERE to connect to the BONA website for more images, ideas, and information on
hardwood floor finishes. This links to their excellent image gallery of residential wood
flooring applications. (Click "Read More" on the right of the photo to read about the
woods and finishes used in each image.)
Hansen's uses BonaKemi professional wood products to bring out the best in your wood.
Click HERE to connect to the BONA website for more images, ideas, and information on
hardwood floor finishes. This links to their excellent image gallery of residential wood
flooring applications. (Click "Read More" on the right of the photo to read about the
woods and finishes used in each image.)
| Hansen's Wood Flooring- Showroom & Design Center 1434 Western Ave. Albany, NY 12203 (518) 465-1771 info@hansenswoodflooring.com |
| HANSEN'S WOOD FLOORING Since 1935 SHOWROOM & DESIGN CENTER 1434 Western Ave Albany, NY 12203 Phone: (518) 465-1771 E-Mail: info@hansenswoodflooring.com |