The Pros of Getting Unfinished Hardwood Flooring

Traditionally, we had no choice but to get unfinished hardwood floors. Since then, the commercial wood flooring industry has started to create gorgeous prefinished wood flooring choices. With so many options in species, stains, and finishes, pre-finished and ready to install, it would seem much more efficient to get pre-finished wood. But, we’ve got a few good reasons to choose site-finished floors, instead.

Site-finished flooring

Site-finished hardwood floors
Site-finished flooring finishes are just as durable as pre-finished flooring finishes.

The advantages of prefinished flooring have been saving time, cost, and a commercially tough finish. But, there are a few disadvantages of prefinished flooring. Here’s why site-finished floors are a better choice.

Durability

There’s a misconception that prefinished hardwood floors are more durable. Although it is true that some manufacturers finish their wood with industrial grade finish that makes the pre-finished wood more durable than site-finished wood. However, our work features leading floor finishes including leading products from Aboritec, Pallman, Bona, as well as other leading brands. Most of our work today features eco-friendly water-based polyurethanes, but we also use oil-modified polyurethanes, zero-VOC penetrating oil finishes, and UV-Cured floor finishes! Site-finished floor finishes will make them durable and resistant to wear and tear.

Refinishing site-finished floors

It is possible to refinish prefinished hardwood floors. So, if you ever wanted to change the color or the look of your floors, you can. However, pre-finished floor stains are often times soaked in deeper than site-finished flooring. This means that you need to sand off a thicker layer of the wood to give yourself a clean slate before refinishing with a new color. Also, you will be able to refinish prefinished floors fewer times than site-finished flooring. So, you gotta ask yourself, are you the type of person who likes to remodel and switch things up from time to time? Or, are you a person who makes a choice and sticks with it? If you want options, go with site-finished flooring.

Choosing site-finished floors
You can customize the color of your floors with site-finished wood floors.

Custom wood floor stain

Although there are multiple stains to choose from, site-finished floors are the only way to customize your floor stain. You may have a specific color in mind, with certain undertones, and the only way to match your color vision is to customize your wood stain. Your floors will be personal and perfectly matched to your home.

T&G Flooring is one of the largest hardwood retailers and contractors in the Front Range. We install new prefinished & site-finished hardwood flooring in both commercial and residential spaces. Our craftsmen will thrill you with their expertise and attention to detail. We install owner-supplied material or you can purchase from our terrific selection of prefinished and site-finished products. Schedule a free consultation, and let’s get started.

Picture of Chris Keale

Chris Keale

Owner & Operator of Tongue & Groove Flooring
Wood Flooring 101 Course Creator

Chris Keale is the owner of Tongue & Groove and the creator of the Wood Floors 101 course, an educational resource that helps homeowners and design professionals make confident flooring decisions.

With a career that began in global technology and consulting, Chris traded boardrooms for floorboards, bringing his leadership skills and love of craftsmanship into the hardwood flooring industry. Since 2007, he has grown Tongue & Groove into one of Colorado’s most trusted flooring companies—built on a foundation of integrity, education and precision. 

Known for his sharp insight, dry humor and genuine commitment to his clients, Chris has helped homeowners, builders and designers through the complexities of choosing and installing hardwood floors. Whether teaching in the showroom, on a jobsite or through his Wood Floors 101, his mission remains the same: to simplify a complicated industry and deliver floors that stand the test of time.

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