When it comes to timeless beauty, natural appeal, and long-term value, unfinished hardwood flooring continues to be a popular choice among Canadian homeowners and designers alike. Unlike prefinished solid hardwood flooring that arrives with a factory-applied finish, unfinished hardwood floor planks allows for a fully customized floor—sanded, stained, and sealed right in your home.

Whether you're restoring a heritage home in Ontario, building a luxury retreat in British Columbia, or simply craving a clean slate for your interior design vision, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know about unfinished hardwood flooring in Canada. We'll cover the pros and cons, grading options, finishing types, maintenance tips, and answer some of the most frequently asked questions.

 

What Is Unfinished Hardwood Flooring?

 

**Unfinished hardwood flooring** refers to raw wood planks that are installed in your home without any pre-applied stain or finish. After installation, the flooring is sanded smooth, stained (if desired), and finished with a protective topcoat. This process gives homeowners and professionals **total control** over the final appearance and performance of the floor.

 

It’s a popular option for:

·       • Custom home builds

·       • Renovations where existing floors need to be matched

·       • Projects with specific aesthetic goals (e.g., colour tone, finish type)

·       • Eco-conscious homeowners who want to choose low-VOC or natural finishes

 

Unfinished hardwood is typically available in both **solid hardwood** and **engineered hardwood** formats, making it suitable for a variety of subfloors and climate conditions across Canada.

 

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Unfinished vs. Prefinished Hardwood Flooring: Key Differences

 

Understanding the difference between unfinished and prefinished flooring is essential to making the right choice for your space.

 

1. **Finishing Process**

·       • **Unfinished**: Finished on-site after installation. Requires sanding, staining, and sealing.

·       • **Prefinished**: Arrives with factory-applied stain and topcoat. Ready to use immediately after installation.

 

2. **Visual Consistency**

·       • **Unfinished**: Creates a flush, smooth surface as all boards are sanded together.

·       • **Prefinished**: Typically has micro-bevelled edges to compensate for slight height differences between boards.

 

3. **Installation Timeline**

·       • **Unfinished**: Requires more time for post-installation sanding, staining, and curing.

·       • **Prefinished**: Faster to install with no on-site finishing required.

 

4. **Customisation**

·       • **Unfinished**: Maximum flexibility with stain colour, sheen level, and finish type.

·       • **Prefinished**: Limited to the manufacturer's options.

 

5. **Cure Time**

·       • **Unfinished**: Needs time to dry and cure before furniture can be placed.

·       • **Prefinished**: Ready for foot traffic and furnishings immediately.

 

 

Why Choose Unfinished Hardwood Flooring?

 

Despite its longer installation process, unfinished hardwood offers several advantages that make it a preferred option for many Canadian households:

 

1. **Full Customisation**

You choose the exact look—from stain colour to finish sheen to texture. Perfect for matching existing flooring or creating a one-of-a-kind design.

 

2. **Flush, Smooth Surface**

Sanding the floor on-site means the boards are levelled together, creating a continuous surface with no micro-bevels or gaps.

 

3. **Natural Aesthetic**

Many Canadian designers love the way unfinished hardwood highlights the true character of the wood. With natural oil finishes, you can maintain the authentic look and feel of solid hardwood.

 

4. **Ideal for Renovations and Heritage Homes**

Older homes often have floors that require a custom touch. Unfinished wood makes it easier to blend old and new.

 

5. **More Environmentally Flexible**

You get to choose the exact type of finish—including low-VOC, water-based, or plant-based oils—ideal for families prioritising indoor air quality.

 

 

Hardwood Flooring Grades Used in Canada

 

When selecting unfinished hardwood, one of the most important factors is the grade of the wood. Grading doesn’t refer to quality or durability—all grades are structurally sound—but to appearance and character.

In Canada, grading terms blend NWFA standards and common local classifications. Here are the most widely used grades:

 

1. **Select & Better**

**Most common premium grade in Canada**. Combines Clear and Select grades.

·       • Very uniform colour and grain

·       • Minimal knots or streaks

·       • Clean, polished appearance

 

Ideal for:

·       • High-end homes, modern builds, and clean-line design styles

 

2. **Select Grade**

·       • Slight natural variation in tone and grain

·       • Few small character marks

·       • A refined look that retains some natural warmth

 

3. **No. 1 Common (Mill Run)**

·       • Greater variety in colour and grain

·       • Visible knots, mineral streaks, and sapwood

·       • Balanced rustic appearance

 

Great for:

·       • Casual interiors, character homes, and country cottages

 

4. **No. 2 Common (Rustic or Builder Grade)**

·       • High level of visual variation

·       • Larger knots, more sapwood, and dark streaks

·       • May require filler during finishing

 

Perfect for:

·       • Budget-friendly renovations or intentionally rustic spaces

 

5. **Character / Live Sawn Grade**

·       • Bold grain patterns with visible knots, checking, and colour variation

·       • Often used in wide plank white oak floors

·       • Highlights full spectrum of the tree, including heartwood and sapwood

 

Ideal for:

·       • Farmhouse, industrial, or reclaimed wood aesthetics

 

Installation & Finishing: What to Expect

 

Installation

Unfinished flooring is usually nailed or stapled over a wood subfloor. It requires a dry, stable indoor environment and must be acclimated to the space before installation.

 

Sanding

The entire surface is sanded with professional equipment, removing height differences and creating a smooth base for finishing. This is a critical step for achieving a uniform finish.

 

Staining (Optional)

Choose from a wide range of stain colours to match your interior. Always test samples before full application. Popular choices in Canada include:

·       • Natural or clear coats

·       • Grey and weathered tones

·       • Rich walnut or espresso hues

 

Sealing

Common sealing options include:

·       • **Oil-based polyurethane**: Durable and rich-looking, but longer drying time

·       • **Water-based polyurethane**: Fast drying, low odour, and clear finish

·       • **Natural oils or hardwax oils**: Low-sheen, breathable, and easy to maintain

 

Drying time varies but can take 24–48 hours for each coat, and multiple coats may be required.

Maintenance Tips

 

Once finished and cured, unfinished hardwood floors are easy to care for with regular cleaning and occasional touch-ups:

·       • Use a dry or slightly damp microfibre mop

·       • Avoid steam cleaners and abrasive brushes

·       • Clean spills promptly to prevent staining

·       • Use protective felt pads on furniture legs

·       • Recoat with finish every few years (varies by traffic and finish type)

 

For floors finished with oils, periodic re-oiling may be required to maintain lustre.

 

FAQs

 

**Q: Is unfinished hardwood flooring more expensive?** 

A: The raw material can be more affordable, but labour costs are higher due to sanding and finishing on-site. Unfinished is less available to buy, so it can be subject to higher price do to scarcity.

 

**Q: Can unfinished floors be refinished in the future?** 

A: Yes, unfinished hardwood can be sanded and refinished multiple times over its lifespan.

 

**Q: What species are available?** 

A: Oak (red & white), maple, ash, birch, walnut, hickory, and more are readily available in Canada.

 

**Q: Can I install it in a kitchen?** 

A: Yes but be careful, just ensure it's sealed with a durable finish and use mats near sinks and high-traffic areas. Wood doesn't like water, so it can subject to negative repercussions if constantly wet (ie: a leaking dish washer). In that case, use tile or a vinyl floor. Solid hardwood is not waterproof. 

 

**Q: How long do I have to wait before moving furniture back in?** 

A: Depending on the finish, typically 2–5 days after the final coat has dried and cured. Listen to your professional contractor, they will guide you.

 

Final Thoughts

 

Unfinished hardwood flooring is considered by some to be the ultimate choice for homeowners who want full creative control and a natural aesthetic. While the installation and finishing process requires time and expertise (use a professional!), the result is a custom floor that reflects your unique style, built to last for generations.

 

If you're considering new floors for your home in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, or anywhere in Canada, unfinished hardwood offers the flexibility and beauty to make your vision a reality.

Ready to Choose Your Floor?

 

Contact us for help choosing a floor  that suits your space and lifestyle.