[KazzyK810]

My personal preference is unfinished wood flooring.

I just don't like the look of the pre-finished flooring I've seen installed, as it doesn't seem to lay as flat, as the edges have somewhat of a slight bevel.

As for one being more durable or sealed better than the other, that all comes down to quality of installation & the type of sealer used on the unfinished wood. It's my understanding based on the sales literature provided with prefinished floors, that the sealer on the prefinished floor is very durable. Comparing the marks left on my flooring vs. my friends that have prefinished flooring, I tend to agree, although you can choose to finish your floor in commerical grade sealers such as those used on roller skating rink floors if you want to invest a little more money.

As to liquids seaping between seams of both types of flooring, again that comes down to quality of installation, & sealer used...AND the ability to maintain a constant moisture level in your home. Wood will expand & contract, and even with the best sealers you will likely develop splits at the seams with temperature & moisture changes in your home throughout the seasons. If you experience a very cold dry winter as we do here in Michigan, I'd highly recommend a furnace humidifer. I had one installed in my last new built home and after ten years my wood floors looked as good and my seams were as tight as when they were layed. My neighbors that didn't have a humidifer didn't fare so well.

When I bought a wee house the other year with ugly tile in the kitchen & dining area, I decided to crack it up & continue oak flooring throughout. This was one of my first DIY projects in the wee house.