Q: What’s the Difference Between Prefinished & Traditional Wood Floors?

Here’s where prefinished and traditional wood floors differ.

Today we’re joined by Drew Dillenburg of Tom Manley Floors so he can explain the difference between traditional wood floors and the prefinished wood floors we offer new home builders.

According to Drew, unlike traditional wood floors, most prefinished wood floors are aluminum-oxide, factory-finished floors. The samples are a good representation of the color, but you can expect variances due to the flooring being natural wood. These floors are engineered to allow for a wider plank (usually six to eight inches) and not be as dramatically affected as solid wood floors during times of high humidity.
 

"Since prefinished wood floors don’t need to be sanded, they also take less time to install."

Even though they’re true wood floors, prefinished wood floors are built with six layers of plywood on the underside to keep them level and deal with the daily expansion and contraction high humidity causes. With traditional wood floors, wider planks would be more susceptible to cupping in high humidity because there are fewer boards to split the gaps between them.

Since prefinished wood floors don’t need to be sanded, they also take less time to install, and the color and smoothness of their finish is more consistent. 

If you have questions about these floors or anything else, reach out to us via phone or email. We would love to help you.