Unfinished vs Prefinished Hardwood Flooring:
The Complete Comparison
Unfinished hardwood is our specialty — we've stocked it for 40 years. But prefinished has its place too. Here's the honest breakdown from people who sell both every day.
What Is Unfinished Hardwood?
Unfinished hardwood arrives raw — no stain, no finish, just bare wood. After installation, a flooring contractor sands the entire floor flat, applies stain (if desired), and applies 3 coats of finish on-site. The result is a perfectly seamless floor with no bevels between boards and a completely custom color.
Quality Hardwoods of Michigan has specialized in unfinished hardwood since 1984. We stock red oak, white oak, maple, hickory, walnut, ash, and cherry in widths from 2¼" to 5" — all available for same-day pickup at our Rochester Hills showroom.
What Is Prefinished Hardwood?
Prefinished hardwood arrives with the stain and finish already applied at the factory. The finish is UV-cured aluminum oxide — significantly harder than any site-applied finish. Boards have a micro-bevel on the edges that hides minor height variations between boards and gives the floor a defined plank look.
We carry prefinished hardwood from DuChateau, Provenza, Sheoga, Mullican, Preverco, Three Trees, and 20+ other brands. Prefinished is available in widths from 3" to 7" and in hundreds of color and species combinations.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Category | Unfinished | Prefinished | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Material Cost | $2–$6/sq ft | $4–$10/sq ft | Unfinished |
| Installation Labor | $3–$6/sq ft (install + finish) | $2–$4/sq ft (install only) | Prefinished |
| Total Installed Cost | $5–$12/sq ft | $6–$14/sq ft | Tie |
| Time to Move Back In | 5–7 days | 1–2 days | Prefinished |
| Finish Hardness | Good (site-applied) | Excellent (UV-cured factory) | Prefinished |
| Color Customization | Unlimited stain options | Limited to available SKUs | Unfinished |
| Seamless Look | Perfect — no bevels | Micro-bevels between boards | Unfinished |
| Dust & Disruption | High — sanding required | Minimal | Prefinished |
| Refinishability | Excellent (flat surface) | Good (bevels fill in) | Unfinished |
| Width Options | 2¼"–5" (wider available) | 3"–7" (wider common) | Tie |
Which Is Right for Your Project?
Choose Unfinished If...
- ✓You want a custom stain color
- ✓You want a perfectly seamless look (no bevels)
- ✓You have time for a 5–7 day project
- ✓You are building new construction
- ✓You want to match existing floors exactly
- ✓You are a contractor doing multiple rooms
Choose Prefinished If...
- ✓You need to move back in quickly
- ✓You cannot tolerate sanding dust
- ✓You want a harder, more durable factory finish
- ✓You are happy with available colors
- ✓You are doing a single room or addition
- ✓You want wide planks (5"–7") with more options
Frequently Asked Questions
Is unfinished or prefinished hardwood better?
Neither is universally better — it depends on your priorities. Unfinished hardwood gives you unlimited color and finish customization, a seamless look, and lower material cost. Prefinished hardwood installs faster, has a factory-applied finish that is harder than site-applied finishes, and allows you to move back in the same day.
Is prefinished hardwood more expensive than unfinished?
Prefinished hardwood typically costs $1–$3 more per square foot in material cost. However, the total installed cost is often similar or lower because prefinished eliminates the sanding, staining, and finishing labor — which runs $2–$4 per square foot.
Can prefinished hardwood be refinished?
Yes. Prefinished hardwood can be refinished just like site-finished hardwood. The factory finish is sanded off and new stain and finish are applied. The beveled edges on most prefinished products will be sanded flat during the process, giving the floor a more seamless appearance after refinishing.
We Stock Both — Come See the Difference
Our Rochester Hills showroom has unfinished and prefinished samples from 36+ brands. Bring your room dimensions and we'll help you choose.