Prefinished Hardwood Flooring

Prefinished wood flooring is an ideal material for a do-it-yourself homeowner to use. The flooring is seasoned, sanded, and finished at the factory – all under ideal conditions, so none of these critical steps is left for the amateur. Unlike unfinished hardwood flooring, the product is ready for installation right out of the box – unfinished hardwood floors must be sanded, possibly stained, and then finished after installation. The finish is either a combination of wood stain plus durable polyurethane or clear polyurethane that protects and enhances the natural wood tone. Prefinished flooring is typically available in oak, birch, hard maple, or pine. Oak prefinished flooring tends to be the most expensive; pine tends to be the least expensive.

The main advantage of prefinished hardwood floors is in their ease of installation, especially for inexperienced homeowners. The method of installation depends on the type of flooring and the manufacturer's specifications. Some hardwood flooring is laid over a subfloor on which adhesive has been spread with a trowel. Some flooring is nailed in place, or joined with tongues and grooves. Other brands of flooring are laid over a resilient base, with the individual flooring strips glued together at the edges, instead of being glued to the subfloor. No matter what the method of installation, a patient homeowner can handle the job and save money on labor installation.

Prefinished hardwood flooring material is available at major home centers like Home Depot, Lowe’s, 84 Lumber, and Home Quarters, as well as at smaller hardware building materials outlets. You can also find prefinished hardwood flooring material at outlets that sell carpet, tile, and other flooring materials.

Shop around to get the best deal on the flooring that’s right for your needs. Buy enough flooring at one time to do the job. (Occasionally different batches or manufacturing runs of flooring will have minor shade differences.) Make sure you allow for end-matching and waste. The easiest way to estimate your flooring needs is to carefully measure the floor size in square feet (room width multiplied by room length) — then take the measurements to your flooring dealer for an accurate estimate of the amount of flooring needed.

When you choose flooring, always follow the manufacturer's directions for installation. For adhesive application, use only the adhesive or mastic suggested by the manufacturer.

Substitution of a cheaper adhesive may lead to job failure and void the product warranty.
Because of the danger of moisture damage to a wood floor, most manufacturers prohibit the use of wood flooring over any concrete floor that is below grade, or lower than the ground level at the exterior foundation. Check with the manufacturer for further advice on below-grade wood floor applications.

Wood flooring is properly dried at the factory, and is relatively stable, but any wood product is subject to some expansion and contraction as the temperature and humidity changes. Many experts suggest putting the wood flooring in the room where it's to be laid, and left for two or three days to acclimate to the temperature and humidity conditions there.

How do you get the best deal on prefinished hardwood floors? First, shop around to determine the color and style of finish you want. Flooring materials can range from extremely white, almost “blonde” colors to very dark, walnut-colored finishes. Determine how much flooring you’ll need – the easiest way is to measure the room and then ask for advice at your local home center or flooring store. Prefinished hardwood flooring tends to be sold by the square foot; so, for instance, a 10’ by 10’ room will require at least 100’ square feet of flooring, plus additional quantities for waste: many experts recommend adding 10% for trimming and waste.

Once you know the style you want and the amount you’ll need, shop around for the best deal. Major manufacturers like Bruce, Pergo, Cyntel, Surface Source, and others all make excellent products, but prices can vary at different retailers, and frequently you can find products on sale.

How much should you expect to pay? Prices vary greatly depending on thickness, material used, surface durability, and finish. For example, Cyntel makes a parquet floor for less than $1 per square foot – on the opposite end of the scale, Pergo Sierra hardwood flooring planks sell for over $4.50 per square foot. Other specialty flooring materials can cost over $10 per square foot. Depending on the size of your room, the difference can be considerable in terms of overall cost.

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