Unfinished Hardwood Flooring Installation

Unfinished hardwood flooring is hardwood that has not been pre-finished with stain or a protective topcoat. It is installed in its raw, natural state, allowing for customization after installation. Once the hardwood is installed, it is sanded and stained to the homeowner’s preferred color and then sealed with a finish to protect the wood. This type of flooring offers a high level of customization, allowing the homeowner to choose the exact shade, finish, and sheen that suits their style. It also provides the flexibility of refinishing over time to restore the floor’s appearance. Unfinished hardwood planks can be solid or engineered.

The unfinished hardwood installation process typically takes longer than installing pre-finished hardwood due to the additional steps involved. On average, the complete process can take anywhere from 5 to 7 days, depending on factors such as the size of the area, the complexity of the layout, and the type of finish being applied. Here’s a general breakdown of the timeline:

1. Installation of Flooring – Typically 1-2 days depending on the size of the area.
2. Sanding – 1-2 days to ensure a smooth, even surface.
3. Staining and Sealing – 1-2 days for staining, followed by drying time.
4. Finishing/Trim – 1-2 additional days for applying the protective topcoat.
5. Cure Time – After the finish is applied, you’ll need to allow the floor to cure, which can take 24-48 hours before light foot traffic and up to 72 hours before furniture is moved back in.

The timeline may vary based on the specifics of the job, but overall, the process requires additional drying and curing time compared to pre-finished options.

Unfinished hardwood floors come in a variety of wood species, each offering unique characteristics in terms of hardness, grain patterns, and color tones. Some of the most popular species for unfinished hardwood floors include:

1. Oak – One of the most common species, oak is durable, versatile, and comes in two main varieties: red oak (with a warmer, reddish hue) and white oak (with a lighter, more neutral tone). It features prominent grain patterns, making it a popular choice for both traditional and contemporary spaces.
2. Maple – Known for its smooth grain and light color, maple is a dense and durable wood that works well in high-traffic areas. It’s often chosen for a more modern or minimalist look.
3. Hickory – A strong, dense wood with a wide range of natural colors and grain patterns, hickory is ideal for those seeking a rustic or natural aesthetic. It’s highly durable, making it great for high-traffic areas.
4. Walnut – Walnut is a rich, dark wood with a sophisticated appearance. Its deep, chocolate-brown color and smooth grain pattern make it a high-end option for those seeking a luxurious, elegant look.
5. Cherry – Cherry wood has a reddish-brown color that deepens with age, adding richness and character over time. It’s known for its smooth texture and fine grain, making it a favorite for formal and traditional spaces.
6. Ash – With a light, creamy color and pronounced grain, ash offers a more subtle look compared to other hardwoods. It’s durable and versatile, suitable for a wide range of interior styles.
7. Birch – Birch is a durable and affordable hardwood with a light, yellowish color. It has a fine, uniform grain and can take stain well, making it a good choice for custom finishes.
8. Pine – A softer wood, pine is lighter in color with a fine grain. It’s often used in rustic or country-style homes, offering a warm, inviting feel. However, it may show signs of wear more easily than harder woods.
9. Brazilian Cherry (Jatoba) – A highly durable, exotic hardwood with a rich, reddish-brown color that darkens over time. It’s often chosen for upscale, contemporary homes due to its strength and beauty.

These species can be customized with stains and finishes to achieve the desired aesthetic, making unfinished hardwood floors a flexible and timeless choice for any home.

While dust and mess are common in many hardwood floor installation processes, Kimminau Floors takes extra precautions to minimize disruption during installation. If you’re opting for unfinished hardwood installation, there will be sanding and finishing steps that can create some dust, but we use advanced dustless sanding technology that captures most of the dust at the source, significantly reducing the mess.

Additionally, we take care to cover and protect your furniture, walls, and other surfaces to keep your home clean throughout the process. Our team works efficiently to ensure minimal disruption, and we conduct a thorough cleanup after installation, so your space is left looking pristine.

The material cost of unfinished hardwood is typically lower than that of its factory-finished counterpart. However, unfinished hardwood requires more labor, as it needs to be sanded and finished after installation. When factoring in the additional labor for finishing, the total cost of unfinished and factory-finished hardwood floors often ends up being very similar.

Yes, unfinished hardwood can be installed in most rooms of your home, including living rooms, dining rooms, hallways, and bedrooms. However, it’s generally not recommended for areas with high moisture, such as bathrooms or basements, as humidity can affect the wood’s stability. Always ensure the subfloor is dry and properly prepared, and consider consulting with a flooring professional to determine the best options for your specific environment.

Yes, at Kimminau Floors, we offer a warranty on our unfinished hardwood floors, which covers installation and any material defects. The warranty terms vary depending on the specific product and finish chosen. We ensure that all our hardwood floors are installed to the highest standards, and we stand behind the quality of our work. For more detailed information about our warranty coverage, feel free to contact us or consult with a representative during your consultation.