Th correct floor finish adds an element of beauty and sophistication to each floor surface. The finish helps in making the floor and home have a natural feel. These hardwood floor finishes also help in making the floors last a lifetime.

That’s why you need to be careful of what you choose. It’s critical. Aside from helping the floors last a lifetime, the right finish can also help reduce the need for replacements or repairs. As a result, the proper choice of a finish can actually help you save money in the long run.

PRE-FINISHED VS UNFINISHED HARDWOOD FLOORS

What is pre-finished hardwood? It means that the finishing of the hardwood was already done at the factory. It means your fitter just has to install the hardwood. One clear advantage is it’s easier to work with. The result is you can save money on labour and installation costs.

Contrast that with unfinished hardwood floors. The installer will do the finishing on-site or in a local factory. As a result, you will need to set aside a greater budget for labour and installation. Why should you choose unfinished hardwood floors? With unfinished floors, you can choose virtually any type of finish and colour. Which opens you up to endless design options.

HARDWOOD FLOOR FINISHES

Those are a few of the tradeoffs of using either pre-finished or unfinished hardwood floors. Let’s now discuss a few things about the finishes. Remember that the finishes could be as important as the wood materials themselves.

With unfinished floors, you can choose virtually any type of finish and colour. When it comes to pre-finished hardwood, you can also choose the type of finish used (but you may have fewer options). At this point, it helps if you’re familiar with the different types of finishes. Here are they:

• Polyurethane
• Varnish
• Lacquer
• Oil

Among the floor finishes mentioned above, the oil finish is becoming popular for several reasons. One reason is that it’s relatively low maintenance. It’s easy to clean and repair. Another reason is that oil finishes penetrate the wood fibers. They add strength to the wood floors. As a result, the wood floors can last many more years without the need for replacement anytime soon.

Aside from oil, you can also choose other hardwood floor finishes such as polyurethane and varnish. But you have to know what are their advantages and disadvantages before choosing one. This way you’ll be able to choose the best type of finish for your floors.

HOW TO MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICE

To ensure that you’re making the right decision, contact one of our experts at Urban Flooring . We offer FREE assessments to anyone who needs help with their flooring project.