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Hand Scraped & Distressed Hardwood Floors

Hand scraped hardwood floors are available in numerous hardwood species, appearances in the manner they are manufactured, different stains that are used, up to what finish gloss level you may prefer. There's no question these types of floors are popular. Looking

back ten years we can't think of any prefinished manufacturer that offered such with the exception of a few Bruce lines that were considered more antique looking than anything.

Where Can I See Them?

I've often told people if you're looking for new floor covering ideas try new or renovated shopping malls, trendy restaurants, and cigar bars. Some may show the wear, but often these places will have numerous ideas and many today contain hardwood floors. Using larger shopping malls takes far less time. In two hours time you can find more hardwood floor ideas than spending two days driving, and visiting model homes.

Flooring Showrooms

Higher end flooring stores typically on the edges of more prominent neighborhoods will often have hand scraped floors on their actual showroom floors. Flooring distributors are another source. These are the guys that will not be able to sell to you because of their distribution network of dealers, but a few calls around may get you in the front door. Distributors are often located in larger metropolitan areas. In recent years we've seen hand scraped floors in private clubhouses or model home center offices.

Different Types

Hand Scraped hardwood floors can be confused with other varieties that have come on stream in recent years. The popularity has created other options seen further below. Some prefinished manufacturers will offer machine scraped products found more often in engineered lines. Patterns can become repetitious if your look close enough. On the flip side, there are many true hand scraped hardwoods, done entirely by hand. These are sold prefinished or unfinished if you should prefer a custom stain color.

Time Worn Aged

Time worn aged offers characteristics of a hardwood floor that has seen distressing caused by age, such as dark colored staining to highlight the grain in the hardwood species itself. In some cases mild contouring of the hardwood is also seen along with character markings.

Wire Brushed

Wire brushing brings out the grain in the hardwood. The sapwood is removed by brushing, causing a highlighted grainy effect that is not only visible on close inspection, but obvious feel.

Antique

Manufacturers have different terminology for their products. An antiqued look typically calls for using a lower grade of hardwood applied with darker colored stains that in turn bring out the highlights of the grain. Lower grade doesn't demonstrate lower quality, but more color variation and character.

Hand Sculpted

Hand sculpted is a term used for flooring that has a smoother distressed appearance. Scraping or sculpting is often smooth and more uniform in appearance.

French Bleed

Prefinished French bleed is new and generally made up of deeper beveled edge appearances. Prior to the staining process, end and side joints are highlighted with a rich black or dark colored stain.

Pegged

Adding to the aged look one can choose pegged flooring. Pegs offer a decorative appearance, does not offer any structural benefits and is not fastened to subfloors much like older floors of the past.

Hand Hewn or Rough Sawn

These types of floors offer the roughest appearance. Sawing marks are clearly visible. Picture shown above.

Custom Unfinished

Looking to match your floor with a cabinet distressing effect? Or perhaps an entire custom look. It's not unusual to obtain an unfinished hardwood, have it installed and distressed to your hearts desires. Numerous effects can be added from bleaching, pickeling (pickling) beaten with chains, or fastened with antique nails. The sky is the limit when you find the right professional.