Prefinished
Hardwood Flooring Chicago
Many consumers today purchase hardwood flooring
with factory-applied finish, commonly
referred to as
prefinished hardwood flooring. This type of
flooring surface is growing in popularity for a number of reasons, the benefits
of which need to be explored before you commit to such a purchase. Here are
some of the most common benefits associated with prefinished hardwood flooring:
• The finish is applied at the factory, by trained
professionals using state of art and highly precise machinery. Factory
prefinished hardwood flooring is faster and easier to install, and also holds
up better over time. In a factory setting, finish coatings and stains are
applied and dried in a computer controlled environment. High-performance
aluminum oxide urethane coatings are then applied, and further strengthened by
ultraviolet light which cures the urethane to the wood. This allows for the
natural colors to be drawn out and preserved, and makes for an extremely
durable finish. For onsite installations, most hardwood flooring only gets two
to three coats of urethane and is air-dried.
• Prefinished hardwood flooring is more scratch resistant
and longer lasting. Thanks to precise manufacturing techniques and computer
controlled application of urethane finishes, this type of flooring is up to 10
times more scratch resistant than unfinished hardwood – again, mostly due to
the prefinished process at the factory.
Prefinished hardwood flooring is simply less messy than unfinished
hardwood flooring that needs to be treated and finished onsite. Just ask any
homeowner or installer who’s gone through the hassle of multiple coats of
urethane, spilled finish, air masks and eye goggles, and expensive-to-rent
equipment and they’ll tell you exactly what it’s like. Finishing hardwood on
site also has another inconvenience and possible danger: Dust, pet dander, and
other debris that could get into the finish before it dries. Remember, once a
fur ball or scrap of paper lands, the only way to fit it is to remove it and
start over.
• Faster and easier installation. With unfinished hardwood
flooring, a homeowner or professional installer not only has to measure, cut,
and secure the floor to sub flooring, but they also have to finish it.
Prefinished hardwood flooring, therefore, takes much less time to install and
in most cases, the most specialized equipment needed is a circular saw, air
compressor, and flooring hailer.
Finally, one other benefit of prefinished hardwood flooring is it can be
stripped and refinished over time, unlike carpeting, stone or ceramic tiles, or
even laminating flooring .This makes it extremely attractive for homeowners and
builders.
We carry major brands in our store on 3100 N Elston Street in Chicago. Stop
by in our store today and choose the floors of your dreams.
Visit our website at
www.abhardwood.com