Ask The Wood Wizard Archives
Q) Is pre-finished hardwood flooring as good as unfinished, sanded and site finished floors?
A) Yes! Pre-finished wood flooring in our opinion is as good as unfinished, sanded, and site finished floors. We feel that the on site finisher, even though he may be very talented, cannot apply finish to a floor as evenly and as problem-free as a factory finish can be applied.
In addition to uniform quality, another big plus of a pre-finished floor is the savings of time. No longer do you have to spend 4-5 days in disarray with the old-fashioned sanding and finishing process. Pre-finished floors are nailed down and the homeowner is usually walking on them that same evening.
Q) Is a sanded and site finished floor completely sealed so liquid cannot penetrate to joints? What about pre-finished?
A) Actually, neither are. Sanded and site finished flooring expands and contracts, breaking any bond each piece would have made during finishing.
Q) Do the micro-grooves between each plank collect dirt and dust?
A) Any accumulation can be easily removed by a canister vacuum cleaner.
Q) Are pre-finished floors more expensive than unfinished?
A) No. When comparing floors, apples to apples, pre-finished flooring is just about the same as a site-sanded and finished floor. In the overall installation the time-savings due to not having to sand and finish is often more significant than the nominal difference in price.
Q) Is wood flooring generally more expensive than other floor coverings?
A) Initial cost can at times be more, but if looked at over the life of the floor, as compared to say carpet or vinyl, its aesthetics and durability make it an incredibly higher value than any other floor covering, adding more to the value of your residence and can be considered an investment in your home, instead of an expense.
Q) Can I put it in my kitchen?
A) Yes, you'll find it easier to clean than any other type of flooring, just wipe up spills and vacuum when necessary.
Q) How about my bathroom?
A) Although most manufacturers don't recommend it due to high humidity conditions, we have seen many successful applications in bathrooms, however, those who have attempted it successfully have addressed the biggest problems ahead of time which is of course, MOISTURE! Sufficient ventilation and tub/shower barriers are among the absolute "musts" to make this work. Be sure your contractor reviews these topics with you - an automatic "yes" without checking for these problems is a red flag.
Q) Should I take my shoes off every time I enter my home and should I ask my guests to do so as well?
A) We recommend it for sanitary reasons, but you don't necessarily have to for functional reasons. Remember, however that a woman's high heel shoe without the pad applies a great amount of pressure and can easily penetrate wood flooring of any density, leaving scarring and dents.
Q) How would I decide what installation method to use for my floor?
A) Usually the sub-floor dictates that question, but I would ask whatever professional you are having install your floor that question since it is so specific to the application.
Q) Can I perform my own installation?
A) We think you can. If you have any carpentry or home repair skills, chances are you could. Each installation is different, and the degree of difficulty can vary dramatically with each job. Thin hallways, small kitchens and other tricky areas sometimes get difficult and are better left to the professional in some cases.
Q) Can wood flooring be installed over my existing floor?
A) There are many instances where that can happen. Vinyl, ceramic, even old wood flooring can be gone over, but as usual, speak to your wood flooring professional before you start.
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