Hardwood • Finish Format
Site Finished Hardwood, Explained
Site finished hardwood is installed unfinished and then sanded and coated on-site. This page explains what “site finished” means and the specs you’ll commonly see on technical data sheets — reference-only, no product or install advice.
What Is Site Finished Hardwood?
“Site finished” means the wood flooring is installed unfinished and the final surface is created by sanding and applying a finish system on-site. The finish system may involve multiple coats, specific sheen targets, and different finish chemistries.
On spec sheets, the flooring itself may read like a typical hardwood spec (species, grade, thickness, width), while the finish system can be described separately (finish type, sheen, coats) because it’s applied after installation.
Related Pages
How Site Finished Differs From Prefinished
Prefinished hardwood has the finish applied at the factory before installation. Site finished hardwood receives its final surface coating after installation.
Because the finish is applied on-site, site-finished documentation often includes more emphasis on finish system parameters (type, sheen, coats, cure expectations) and site conditions that can affect results (temperature/humidity ranges).
Common Site Finished Terms You’ll See
- Unfinished Flooring (raw wood surface prior to coating)
- Sanding Schedule (process term; not always on product sheets)
- Finish Type (water-based, oil-based, etc.)
- Sheen (gloss level: matte/satin/semigloss, etc.)
- Coats (number of finish layers applied)
- Cure (time/process for coating to reach performance characteristics)
Site Finished Hardwood Specs Glossary
One-sentence explanations of common spec-sheet items, with links to deeper spec pages.
| Spec | What It Means (1 Sentence) | Where It Appears | Deep Dive |
|---|---|---|---|
| Species | The wood type used for the floor, influencing appearance and physical properties. | Construction / Appearance | Species Explained |
| Total Thickness | The overall thickness of the flooring material, commonly listed in inches or millimeters. | Format / Construction | Total Thickness Explained |
| Moisture Content | A percentage measurement of water in the wood at time of manufacturing/packaging or specification. | Technical / Environmental | Moisture Resistance Explained |
| Wood Finishes | The surface coating system applied to wood, which affects sheen, feel, and resistance characteristics. | Surface / Performance | Wood Finishes Explained |
FAQ
What Is Site Finished Hardwood? ⌄
Site finished hardwood is installed unfinished and then sanded and coated on-site, so the final finish system is applied in the space where the floor will be used.
How Is Site Finished Different From Prefinished? ⌄
Site finished floors are coated after installation, while prefinished floors have the finish applied at the factory before installation.
What Specs Matter Most For Site Finished Hardwood? ⌄
Common specs include species, thickness, width, grade, moisture content ranges, and finish system details such as finish type, sheen, and coats—though some finish details may be decided during the finishing process.
Is Site Finished Hardwood Always Better? ⌄
Not always. “Better” depends on goals like appearance, schedule, and how the finish system is specified and executed; this page is reference-only and does not provide recommendations.
Reference-Only Note
This page provides general informational reference about site finished hardwood terminology and specifications. It does not provide installation instructions, professional advice, or product recommendations.