Unfinished hardwood floors are the best way to ensure you get the perfect look that you’ve been craving from your new floor surface. They will require more effort on your part, as they don’t feature a polyurethane coating like finished woods. However, they do allow you more customization, and this is the ideal choice for anybody that truly loves woodworking. Unfinished hardwood floors will allow you to make that part of your home your own. By developing them yourself, you’ll get a truly unique look that you just wouldn’t be able to buy in a store.
The main difference between unfinished hardwood floors, and the pre-finished variety, is that pre-finished are always going to be easier to install. This is because wood flooring requires sanding and a polyurethane coating in order for them to be suitable for everyday use. While pre-finished floors are much easier to install, it also takes a lot of the joy of woodworking out of your home installation. This is why unfinished hardwood floors have remained a favorite by so many people the world over, despite the fact that they require a lot more effort on your part.
When you’re looking to buy unfinished hardwood floors, there are going to be several options available depending upon the type you’re planning to install. The first decision will be whether or not to install a floating wood floor, or a standard floor. Floating wood means you install planks that fit firmly together, over an existing surface. A standard floor is just like any other surface, only using wood instead of carpeting, concrete, etc. Floating wood requires less work for installation, and often features a better finish because the planks fit together more firmly than standard options.
Another choice you’ll have to make is whether or not you would like to buy natural unfinished hardwood floors, or engineered. The main difference is simply that natural wood comes basically in it’s original state, whereas engineered wood is manufactured to mimic natural. Natural is always going to be the best choice, but is very expensive so it may be outside your price range unless you have a large budget available. But nothing will last longer, or stand up to small surface damage better. Engineered wood is very cheap, and still looks great by comparison, but is also much more prone to damage over time.
When you’re looking to buy any type of unfinished hardwood floors you’ll probably want to use an internet lumber dealer. This is because online stores usually charge much lower prices than you could possibly find locally. Some great options include LumberLiquidators.com and iFloor.com. Both feature practically any variety you could ever want. Although if you’re looking to have the unfinished hardwood floors installed professionally, you can also use a site like ServiceMagic.com to find contractors in your area. Professional installation will cost you more, but can also result in a better looking floor. Depending upon your skill level, this may be the best choice, so that you can ensure the quality of the floor.