Types of Wood Floors

While having a choice is good, a number of options availble in todays market can be overwhelming. We are here to make it simple.

Wood floors can differ by construction type and also in how it had been finished.

Pre-finished floors have been sanded, colored and coated with a protective finish in factory. For installation it only needs to be cut and nailed to the floor. Unfinished flooring is raw wood that must be sanded and finished after installation on site.

Solid wood floors are made of one piece of wood from top to bottom and can be used in any room that is on or above ground. Engineered wood floors are made from multiple layers of wood, with the top layer made of high-quality wood and inner core made from plywood or fiberboard.

Solid Unfinished

Pros

  • Don't have beveled edges that can trap dirt
  • Allows for more flexibility in installation for a more finished look
  • Design and color can be customized
  • Finshed floor is seamless and repairable
  • Easy to refinish
  • Better price for a comparable wood quality
  • Adds value to home

Cons

  • Longer installation times
  • Not recommended for basements
  • Can be expensive to install over concrete

Solid Prefinished

Pros

  • Quicker intallation times
  • Doesn't require sanding in-home
  • Can be cheaper overall. But is more expensive for a comparable wood qulity

Cons

  • Provides less flexibiility in installation. Wood milling imperfections do not get fixed with sanding
  • Requires more materials for installation
  • Standartized look
  • Beveled edges making floor look not seamless. Overwood is common
  • More expensive to refinish in the future
  • Not recommended for basements

Prefinished Engineered

Pros

  • Quickest installation times
  • Doesn't require sanding in-home
  • Superior dimensional stability
  • Can be installed in basements
  • Less expensive labor when installed over concrete

Cons

  • Quality engineered hardwood tends to be more expensive
  • Market is flooded with low-quality cheap engineered flooring
  • Standartized look
  • Can get warped in dry air conditions. Constant use of air humidifier is needed for Colorado climate
  • Can be refinished only once, or not all

Unfinished Engineered

Pros

  • Can be finished to match existing solid wood
  • Superior stability. Suitable for basements
  • Don't have beveled edges that can trap dirt
  • Allows for more flexibility in installation for a more finished look
  • Design and color can be customized
  • Finshed floor is seamless and repairable
  • Can be refinished
  • Adds value to home

Cons

  • Can be more expensive
  • Can get warped in dry air conditions. Constant use of air humidifier is needed for Colorado climate