Pre-finished hardwoods are still made from solid hardwood and can be sanded, so that’s a good thing. In fact, our team performs sanding and refinishing on pre-finished hardwoods frequently. It’s worth noting that pre-finished flooring often has bevels between the boards, which can be sanded down during refinishing, but will reduce the number of times you can refinish it.

You might want to look at on-site-finished hardwoods floor options instead of prefinished wood flooring if you’re a consumer. You can refinish them up to five times during their lifetime depending on thickness and a few other variables.

Refinishing Pre-finished Hardwood Floors

Refinishing pre-finished hardwood floors can be a bit more challenging than traditional site-finished flooring due to the aluminum oxide coating that is added at the factory. This coating must be removed during a pre-sanding phase, which adds an extra step to the refinishing process. Not many people are aware of this trade secret, but it’s important to know before starting any refinishing project.

Additionally, it’s recommended to avoid filling gaps or cracks in the floor that are larger than a quarter. This is an industry standard set by the National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA), and attempting to fill larger gaps can negatively impact the overall look of the floor. If a contractor offers to fill large gaps, it’s best to consider board repairs or replacements instead.

The sanding process itself is similar to site-finished flooring, with just a few extra considerations. Cross-cutting the first few rips can help make the floor flatter and remove the oxide finish. It’s also recommended to use HEPA filters on vacuums to avoid inhaling any aluminum particles during the sanding process. After about 4 passes, the hardwood should be ready for buffing. To ensure that all missed spots are detected, the floor should be sprayed with water, a process known as water-popping, which also allows the stain to penetrate deeper into the grains of the wood.

Sealing and Finishing the Floor

Once the staining process is complete, the floor is ready for sealing and finishing. Pre-finished hardwoods that have been sanded down to raw wood can be treated in the same way as site-finished hardwoods. The process involves applying one coat of sealer to protect the color layer and enhance its shine. After the sealer has dried, two coats of finish are applied.

Key Points to Remember:

• Prefinished wood floors that have been made within the last 20 years will have an aluminum oxide factory coating that is 10 times harder to remove than regular finish and stain.
• Pre-finished 3/4″ solid hardwood floors can be refinished up to 5 times, allowing you to change the color of the entire floor with each refinishing.
• To maximize the number of refinishing opportunities, it’s recommended to leave the bevel in the floor and avoid filling it in.
• Pre-finished hardwoods tend to show scratches more readily than site-finished hardwoods, so keep this in mind when making a decision about flooring options.