4 Different Types of Wood Flooring - East Coast Flooring & Interiors

What is there not to like about hardwood flooring? Not only is it one of the most elegant floorings but it also comes in many styles, is durable, and can increase the value of the home. Hardwood is a very versatile flooring and can be installed in almost any room, although bathrooms and kitchens may require special considerations.

If you are considering installing hardwood flooring in your home, here are a few things that you should know about types of wood floors.

Pre-finished (1) or Unfinished (2)

The key difference between pre-finished and unfinished types of wood floors is that in the former, the flooring planks are finished before installation, whereas in the latter, the finish is completed after installation.

When a plank is prefinished, this means it is sanded, stained, and coated with a surface coating (usually polyurethane) at the factory. All the installer has to do is cut the planks and nail them for installation.

On the other hand, unfinished planks are raw hardwood that has only been cut into planks but must first be installed and then sanded and refinished on site. These are different types of wood flooring.

Benefits of Prefinished Flooring

Factory finished and each plank is individually coated with a polyurethane coating and heated in an oven, resulting in a durable and long-lasting acrylic finish.
Ready for immediate use and allows for quick installation which can take at most one day.
Can walk on the flooring as soon as it’s installed.
There is no downtime for the planks to be cured.
Since the planks are finished at the factory, there are no vapors from the solvents and polyurethane resin. Hence, family members are not exposed to volatile organic compounds.
Since the flooring is finished at the factory and ready for use, no sanding takes place at home. This means there is less dust generated and your home will remain clean after installation.
The factory-applied finish is not only durable but elegant.
The end result is that even though the prefinished planks cost a little more to buy at the beginning, they end up being cheaper in the long run. The reason is that the cost of finishing the planks in the home is also time-consuming and costly.

Benefits of Unfinished Hardwood

The planks retain their natural features like the grain pattern. This is because the coating of polyurethane and stain will remove the natural look of the finished planks.
To avoid damage, dents, or scratches, some contractors will order prefinished planks for older homes. When the flooring is finished, there is little risk of damage to the planks. But in new homes, if the prefinished planks are installed first, they are then exposed to all sorts of debris, rolls, and dust lying all over the place.
Options for finish are wider: with unfinished hardwood, you have a slightly greater choice of finishes after installation. In addition, you can select the color to match the decor of the home.
Repair: If an unfinished plank gets damaged or scratched, it is much easier to repair than a finished plank. The prefinished planks usually do not permit spot repairs; instead, a whole new plank has to be installed. An unfinished plank can easily be repaired on-site without replacing the entire plank.

Which is Better? Finished or Unfinished?

If you want a color to match the home decor or a custom stain applied before the final finish, then unfinished hardwood is a good option. Once the hardwood flooring is installed, several coatings of a protective finish are applied. For the kitchen, unfinished hardwood flooring is recommended since the finish will penetrate and seal the edges and seams between each plank, this will help keep moisture from seeping through the planks.

Prefinished hardwood flooring is already sanded and sealed at the factory. This ensures that the installation process is done in a relatively short time. There are no noxious vapors generated from the finished product and the flooring can be used immediately after installation.

Solid Hardwood (3) or Engineered Wood (4)?

Solid hardwood is a solid plank of wood. It is usually ¾-inch in thickness but, the length may vary. Solid hardwood flooring is composed of thick wooden planks that can be sanded and refinished anywhere from 2-5 times. However, one negative of hardwood is that it is not moisture-resistant and is not recommended for the bathroom, basement, or kitchen.

Engineered wood is manufactured in a different way from hardwood. Unlike a single solid plank, strips of wood, usual plywood, are placed on top of each other and adhered to each other with an adhesive. Finally, the planks of wood may be from one or several species of wood and not the same as the top layer. The final layer is a veneer of varying thickness that is adhered to the top which makes engineered wood extremely durable and even moisture-resistant.

This gives engineered wood an edge over hardwood as it can be installed in the basement. However, depending on the thickness of the surface veneer, engineered wood can only be sanded and refinished 1-2 times in its lifetime.

Pros of Solid Hardwood

Can be sanded and finished at least 3-6 times. This is useful if you want to alter the color or remove scratches.
Is usually easy to match to pre-existing hardwood flooring already installed in the home.
Relatively easy to repair. For example, if you have a water-damaged plank or pet scratches, the plank can be removed and replaced. Overall, solid hardwood is easier to work with and easier to replace compared to engineered wood.
In general, solid hardwood is less expensive than engineered wood. But this also depends on the type of hardwood and finishing.
Is available in both finished and unfinished variety.
Solid hardwood has a better resale value compared to engineered wood.
Overall, there is more flexibility when you are dealing with solid hardwood.

Cons of Solid Hardwood

Solid hardwood is known to expand and contract more than engineered wood; hence, proper installation with both glue and nail is essential to preventing motion.
In some homes, solid hardwood installation first requires a plywood subfloor, which can add to the height and cost.
Solid hardwood is not recommended for the flooring below the ground level like in the basement.

Pros of Engineered Wood

Can be installed in most homes as there is no need for a plywood subfloor. It can even be installed if there is concrete. This also reduces the costs and avoids other technical issues, like adjusting the clearance for doors.
Engineered wood can be installed even below the ground level like in the basement. This is because it is more moisture-resistant than solid hardwood.
Installation of engineered wood is relatively simple and can be done whether with the use of adhesive or nails.
Engineered wood, because of the way it is made, is generally more stable than solid hardwood. In addition, there is less expansion and contraction.
Depending on the thickness of the surface veneer, engineered wood can be less expensive than solid hardwood. Many other things affect the price besides the thickness of the veneer.
Will not indent or result in gaps between seams. Because engineered flooring is installed with space around its perimeter that expands, it is less likely to develop contraction or swelling. The resulting expansion space will accommodate all the motions and the flooring will remain level and flat.
Comes prefinished. Once it’s installed, nothing more is required.

Cons of Engineered Wood

Unlike solid hardwood, engineered wood can only be sanded 1-2 times at most. It depends greatly on the thickness of the veneer. Some engineered wood cannot be sanded at all.
In addition, floating engineered wood also cannot be sanded and finished even if the veneer is thick. If the flooring is not securely attached to the floor, the weight of the sanding machines will cause motion in the planks.
The quality of engineered wood products does vary greatly, and you have to always buy from a reputable dealer to make sure that the product is not made cheaply.

Which Type of Wood is Recommended?

There are many species of wood used to make hardwood flooring and they include oak, maple, mahogany, maple, cedar, pine, walnut, hickory, cherry, bamboo, and many more. In general, the species readily available in your area will be cheaper than imported wood products. Exotic species like mesquite and teak come at exorbitant prices. For most homes, you will never go wrong with oak, maple, pine, or cedar among the different types of wood flooring.

At the end of the day, all the wood species are durable, have elegant aesthetics, and come in many colors and a variety of patterns to meet the needs of your home. If you are considering hardwood flooring for your home, the best advice is to speak to a professional from East Coast Flooring & Interiors. Their staff has been in the flooring business for many years and can help you choose among the types of wood floors to make the best selection for your needs. Call them today at 1-954-773-9575.