When you’re shopping for hardwood flooring, you’ll probably hear the terms, “prefinished” and “site-finished” quite a bit. What’s the difference? Prefinished hardwood planks come from the factory finished and ready to install. Site-finished hardwood comes from the mill and is installed, sanded, stained and finished in your home. It’s the same wood, but each process has its own advantages and limitations.
It’s a tough decision because many flooring stores only sell prefinished wood floors. Meanwhile, most contractors only sell site-finished. At Tongue & Groove, we’re experts with both and have been since 2007. Let us provide unbiased guidance so you can choose the right option for your home.
What are the Advantages of Prefinished Hardwood?
Prefinished hardwood in Denver is easy to install and convenient. Floors arrive in boxes and ready to install. Here’s what makes prefinished wood appealing:
- Faster Installation: Without on-site sanding and finishing, installation is quick since you don’t have to wait for multiple coats of finish to dry between applications.
- Less Mess: Since there’s no wood refinishing, you don’t have to worry about dust. This is helpful for occupied homes or spaces where dust control matters.
- See your Exact Color: With prefinished hardwood, what you see is what you get. You don’t have to guess how a stain and finish will look following installation.
- Walk on Floors Sooner: Because there’s no curing time, your floors will be ready for light foot traffic sooner.
What are the Limitations of Prefinished Hardwood?
Prefinished wood flooring is far from perfect. Here are the trade-offs:
- Beveled Edges: Refinished planks have beveled edges that create v-shaped grooves between boards, which can collect dirt and create a different look from a flat surface.
- Limited Refinishing Potential: It’s very difficult to refinish prefinished floors. Sanding out bevels consumes most or all of the wear layer, making it impractical.
- Repair Challenges: If you need to replace individual planks years later, your specific product may be discontinued, making color matching nearly impossible.
- Subjective Grading: Manufacturers use marketing terms like “Premium, “Rustic” or “Country” with no industry standards. Always ask suppliers how these compare to unfinished standards or buy a full sample box before ordering.
What are the Advantages of Site-Finished Hardwood?
Site-finished hardwood is highly customizable and offers long-term flexibility. By arriving unfinished, you get complete control of your flooring. Here are the benefits:
- Completely Flat Surface: Site-finished floors don’t have beveled edges so the floor is completely flat and free of grooves.
- Custom Stain Colors: Have a specific color in mind? Unlock unlimited customization with site-finished hardwood without the limitations of factory options.
- Refinishing Potential: Site-finished floors can be refinished several times over their lifespan. Surface damage is no problem as the wood can be sanded, restained and refinished enough times to last up to a century.
- Easier Repairs: When there’s an issue, the affected area can be sanded and refinished to match the rest of the floor. There’s no need to look around for discontinued products.
Trying to decide which option makes sense for your project? Visit our Denver wood flooring showroom to check out prefinished and site-finished samples.
What are the Limitations of Site-Finished Hardwood?
Site-finished hardwood also has its downsides. Know about the following before you buy:
- Longer Installation Times: After installing the planks, each one has to be sanded, stained (if desired) and finished with multiple coats. Each coat needs time to dry and can add days of waiting to your project.
- More Dust: Sanding creates dust and dust containment systems can only limit it so much. That said, it’s still more disruptive than prefinished installation projects.
- Color Uncertainty: You won’t know the exact color of your floors until the stain and finish are applied. Experienced finishers can create accurate samples, but there’s still a level of uncertainty.
Is Prefinished or Site-Finished Hardwood More Expensive?
When it comes to project costs, prefinished and site-finished hardwood are relatively similar. However, how totals balance out makes a difference.
When it comes to prefinished hardwood, materials cost more, but labor costs less. Meanwhile, it’s the opposite for site-finished hardwood.
You shouldn’t choose your flooring based on price alone. Think about the advantages it can offer you. Here’s a quick breakdown:
| Factor | Prefinished | Site-Finished |
| Material Cost | Higher | Lower |
| Labor Cost | Lower | Higher |
| Total Project Cost | Similar | Similar |
| Installation Speed | Faster | Slower |
| Dust During Install | Minimal | More (contained) |
| Custom Colors | Limited to factory | Unlimited |
| Surface | Beveled edges | Completely flat |
| Refinishing | Usually not possible | Multiple times |
| Repairs | Difficult if discontinued | Easier |
What Should You Choose?
The best hardwood flooring for you comes down to your preferences. Prefinished hardwood is quick to install and lets you see what you’re getting, but offers limited opportunities for refinishing. Site-finished hardwood offers unmatched customization and easy refinishing, but takes longer to install. At Tongue & Groove, we’re here to help you make the right decision for your home. We help Denver homeowners understand their needs and decide accordingly.
Ready for brand new hardwood floors? Visit our Denver showroom or contact us today!
