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. |
