| People often want to know what the difference is between prefinished and custom sanded and finished hardwood floors. We have prepared a little chart to answer the pros and cons of these products. |
| Custom Finished Floors | Prefinished Flooring | |
| Installs without sanding | no | yes |
| Infinite variety of wood | yes | yes |
| Infinite color choices | yes | yes |
| Beveled edge | no | yes |
| Perfectly flat | yes | depends on substrate |
| Replaceable pieces | no | yes |
| Although prefinished floors are convenient in that they install without sanding and finishing they all have a beveled edge on the wood strips which many people find unsightly.
A custom sanded hardwood floor has a table-top appearance and is perfectly flat looking .
A prefinished floor will maintain height irregularities of the substrate. In short, a bump in the subfloor means a bump in the prefinished floor unless the subfloor is fixed first.
Tradition mandates that most American homes have custom sanded and finished floors.
The technology behind prefinished products continues to grow and improve and has become far more acceptable in recent years. This is particularly true in commercial installations such as stores and shopping malls.
One of the products that has a very flat and level appearance is the Floating Floor. This is a layered plywood - like product with a look very similar to a regular hardwood floor. This floor is very thin and will withstand sanding and refinishing , but usually only once. Manufacturers claim that you can do this one yourself. Like any DIY project, experience, patience, knowledgeable friends, back rub ointment, and twice the amount of money you intended to spend would be helpful. If you are handy, this is no more difficult than building one of those DIY yard-sheds they sell at lumber suppliers. |
| We would like to thank Tiger Floors, Inc. for the above information. Please visit their website at www.tigerfloors.com |