Wood Finish Types, Explained Prefinished vs Site-Finished • Finish systems • Sheen & terminology
“Finish type” is a key surface spec for wood products. This page explains what finish labels usually mean, how they show up on spec sheets, and what you can (and cannot) infer from the label alone. Reference-only: no product recommendations or installation instructions.
A finish is the surface coating system on wood. Specs often list whether the product is prefinished (factory-coated) or intended to be site-finished (finished after installation). Finish labels describe the system category, but performance depends on the full finish chemistry, build, and curing process.
Common Finish Types in Specifications (reference)
| Finish Label (what you’ll see) | What It Usually Means | Where It Shows Up | Common Confusion |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prefinished | A factory-applied finish system is already on the surface. | Construction/spec overview | Doesn’t specify the chemistry or performance by itself. |
| Unfinished / Site-finish | Surface is intended to be finished after installation. | Construction/spec overview | “Unfinished” can still have light sealers or treatments in some listings. |
| UV-cured Finish | Finish was cured/hardened using UV light during manufacturing. | Factory finish details | UV curing describes the process, not a single “type” of chemistry. |
| Aluminum Oxide (in finish) | A wear-additive sometimes referenced in factory finish systems. | Marketing/spec notes | Can be used as a general claim; doesn’t guarantee specific performance without test context. |
| Oil / Hardwax Oil | An oil-based or oil/wax system affecting look and feel; may be factory or site applied. | Finish system label | “Oil” is a broad category with many formulas and behaviors. |
| Water-based / Solvent-based (site finishes) | A chemistry family descriptor often used for site-applied coatings. | Finish system label | Doesn’t automatically indicate durability; formulations vary widely. |
| Sheen (matte/satin/semi-gloss/gloss) | The reflectivity of the surface, not the thickness or “strength” of the finish. | Finish appearance details | People often assume higher gloss = tougher; sheen and durability are separate concepts. |
Quick Explainers
Prefinished vs Site-Finished
Prefinished means the surface coating system is applied in a factory setting before delivery. Site-finished means the surface is finished after installation, as part of the on-site process. Both are categories — “prefinished” does not automatically mean one single chemistry or performance level.
Finish Type vs Surface Performance Claims
Finish type labels are not the same as standardized test results. If a spec sheet includes abrasion, stain, or chemical resistance results, those are usually separate lines tied to specific test methods. A finish label alone is best treated as a category descriptor.
What “UV-cured” Actually Indicates
UV-cured typically indicates a factory curing method where the finish is hardened using UV light. It often suggests a controlled production process, but it does not tell you the exact chemistry, thickness, or resistance levels without more detail.
Sheen Is an Appearance Spec
Sheen (matte → gloss) describes reflectivity. Two different finish systems can both be “satin,” and one can be more resistant than the other. Sheen is best read as an appearance descriptor, not a durability rating.
FAQ
Is “prefinished” always more durable than site-finished? ⌄
Not automatically. “Prefinished” describes when/where the finish is applied, not a single chemistry or durability level. Performance depends on the finish system, build, and testing, plus how the full product is constructed.
Does sheen affect performance? ⌄
Sheen describes reflectivity. It may influence what you visually notice on a surface, but it does not directly define abrasion, stain, or chemical resistance.
What does “aluminum oxide finish” mean? ⌄
It typically refers to a finish system that includes wear additives referenced as aluminum oxide. Treat it as a label unless the spec sheet provides standardized test results tied to the finish system.
Why do two products with “UV-cured” finish feel different? ⌄
“UV-cured” describes curing method, but finishes can vary by chemistry, number of coats, additives, and texture/embossing. Surface feel can also be influenced by brushing, wire-brushing, or other texturing methods.