The idea of waxing and polishing one’s hardwood floors has pretty much disappeared from the homeowner’s memory. Realizing the user-friendliness is now a requirement for product success, hardwood flooring manufacturers have created advanced urethane flooring finished which can be applied at their factories and which dry under ultraviolet lights in a matter of minutes.
The Finishing Process
Because the finish is factory applied, it will be put on the flooring in a dust-free environment, and several thin coats are applied each being dried under ultraviolet lights before the next is added. Most prefinished hardwood flooring has between six and ten coats of urethane, producing a highly wear resistant result.
While both Polyurethane and Acrylic urethane will produce a clear hard finish, the durability of prefinished hardwood flooring can be enhanced with the addition of either ceramic or aluminum oxide particles to the urethane; aluminum oxide is the favored additive because of the abrasion resistance it provides.
Finally, acrylic-impregnated prefinished wood flooring is strengthened by having acrylic injected into its fibers, and sealed with a urethane “wear layer.”
For those who are having homes built. Or a mew floor installed, the use of prefinished hardwood flooring eliminated the extra wait involved while their hardwood floors are sanded, stained, varnished, sanded again, and varnished again. Trying to put six to ten coats of varnish on and unfinished floor, and having to wait for each one to dry, would try the patience of Job himself--not to mention the fumes of sawdust and varnish permeating the entire house.
Prefinished hardwood floors are also low-maintenance. A weekly vacuuming with a soft brush, and a vacuum with rubber coated wheels, followed by a swipe with the cleaner/shiner recommended by the floor’s maker which you’ll be able to find at the retailer which sold you the flooring, is all that’s required.
Disadvantages of Prefinished hardwood Flooring
Prefinished wood flooring, however, is not without its drawbacks. One of them is that, in order to make allowances for any irregularities either in the sub-flooring or in the flooring itself, prefinished wood flooring is usually produced with beveled edging. While beveled edges are usually less conspicuous than square ones, they can be a hindrance during sweeping or mopping.
And the number of colors available in prefinished hardwood flooring is still rather limited, although the flooring manufacturers are doing their best to introduce new ones. But trying to custom match a new prefinished hardwood floor to the existing floors in your home may be very difficult.
