The ‘ease’ of the pre-finished floors along with the instant availability will always make them a viable wood floor solution. They are on every shelf in box stores and so-called ‘liquidators’ around the world, although selection of species and widths are limited, they still offer a quick solution. The drying agents used in the manufacturing process have been cleverly marketed as a harder finish for the consumer, although I have yet to see a home with an abrasive wheel (as used to prove a point about hardness) so actual benefits are sketchy at best. Some pre finished wood floors offer warranties of up to 50 years, although the fine print protects manufacturers from anything that could ever actually happen. Still, you can put a pre finished wood floor in your shopping cart, take it home and live on it the next day. This is not a new issue and will not be settled simply here.

Unfinished Flooring

Unfinished flooring products will always have their promoters as well. To see a finished unfinished floor product alone is worth a million words, there are few visible similarities between the two. Unfinished floors still hold a huge value edge to home appraisers (often up to a 40% difference) when compared to the same species and width in a pre-finished version. The cleaning aspects of an unfinished floor have always been superior due to the smooth and flat properties of a floor that is sanded in place and then sealed as a single sheet of protection. Width choices and species availability have also been key factors in the decision to choose a site finished floor.Potential Flooring Health Issues
Today I want to focus on a new and growing concern that may change the mind of MANY that are considering a pre-finished hardwood floor…and that is potential health and sanitary concerns. Our photos that are shown here will show what happens when something (in this case Caesar salad dressing) is spilled on a floor and then ‘cleaned’ the way most of us would clean a spill. We started with a pre finished floor sample and a sample of unfinished flooring with just 3 coats of clear finish. Both samples were white oak, the pre-finished had a gunstock stain, the unfinished was natural. The photo’s clearly show that after a good scrubbing with a paper towel the difference in what was actually left behind, judge for yourself. Look at the seams.

Unfinished Oak Floor Before Spill

Unfinished Oak Floor With Dressing Spill

Unfinished Oak Floor After Wipe

Pre-finished Floor Before Spill

Pre-finished Floor With Dressing Spill

Pre-finished Floor After Spill

Many Doctors have warned of potential for dust mites and dog hair left in the space between boards in pre-finished floors and therefore pushed site finished, but as this impromptu demonstration points out, mold and bacteria may be of even greater concern.

In conclusion, will there always be pre-finished and red oak unfinished  floors? Of course, but will these new concerns raise some eyebrows? I hope so. Are ALL wood floors more sanitary then carpet? Absolutely…but the difference in what’s good health wise for you and your family could be as simple as putting the floor down and then putting a solid layer of finish over the whole floor.