Looking to save money and time on your hardwood flooring installation? If so, pre-finished and engineered wood floors are the two best options for you.
Many of our customers ask about the differences between pre-finished and engineered wood flooring, which is why we’re breaking it down for you in order to help you decide which is the best hardwood flooring option for you!
What’s the Difference?
Pre-finished wood floors are pre-finished in the factory, hence the name, so that they can be installed quickly in your home or commercial building. By finishing them in the factory, you avoid the mess involved with sanding and finishing regular wood floors.
Cost is lower for pre-finished floors because finishing done in a factory setting is less labor-intensive, therefore saving labor costs. Also, pre-finished floors are typically more durable than site-finished floors because the finishing is done in a temperature-controlled, dust-free environment.
Engineered wood floors originally were designed for use in places where moisture could not be controlled, such as on a concrete slab. As opposed to a solid piece of wood, which will warp when exposed to moisture, engineered wood planks are composed of multiple layers of wood that are glued, pressed, heated, and then covered with a thin veneer of wood on top.
This process makes the flooring less susceptible to warping. Engineered floors with a thin veneer typically cannot be refinished, however, many modern engineered wood floors are made with a thicker veneer that makes refinishing possible. Engineered wood is less expensive than solid wood because less expensive woods are used for the lower layers.
Need more help deciding between pre-finished & engineered hardwood flooring? Contact SVB Wood Floors today to find out more about our Award-Winning wood flooring!
