All wood flooring requires a finish. This is a protective coat that seals your floor against every day wear.
You can buy unfinished wood flooring, and your installer will sand the wood and apply the finish on the job site. There are several finish options available. Learn more about finish options. If you are looking for a specific colour or need to match existing flooring, this option may suit your needs better.
Also available for purchase is factory-finished wood flooring, where the finish was applied at the manufacturer. This type of flooring has become as widely available as unfinished wood flooring. These floors require less time to install because the sanding and finishing process has already happened. The floors are ready to walk on immediately following the installation and have a harder surface.
Talk to your installer or retailer about what options best suit your lifestyle and needs.