The Advantages of Pre-Finished Hardwood Flooring
The biggest advantage for choosing pre-finished hardwood flooring is the selection! There are several types of wood and finishes from which to make your choice. Even a distressed looking wood floor can be a part of your decor if you wish. Choose from oak, maple, cherry, ash, walnut, beech, or birch. Most "from scratch" hardwood flooring is limited to oak or maple, and variations thereof.
The second biggest advantage is finish. The finished wear layers of pre-finished hardwood floors are far superior to any finish that can be applied during the construction of your new home, or the remodel of your existing home. Factory applied finish coats are more resistant to abrasion, and will not show swirl marks, hairs, dust, and other imperfections often associated with "from scratch" hardwood flooring. Applying finish coats at home tend not to be applied evenly. They are also designed to break apart as the floor expands or shrinks, and can result in gaps showing between boards. Factory applied finish coats are so durable that many of these coatings last ten times longer than "from scratch" hardwood floors that are finished in the home. Finally, the most noticeable advantage is no odor! With pre-finished hardwood floors you do not have to evacuate your home for three days to avoid toxic fumes.
