All hand-scraped flooring products are characterized by a rustic patina of texture, age, character marks, and, perhaps even, dark staining.
With all of these factors, such distressed hardwood has a variety of looks.
Although considered a trend at the moment, hand-scraped hardwood continues to see its popularity increase, and if you are considering this style, how do you know which one is for you? First, before you make a decision, examine all of the possibilities.
Two basic types are available.
"Classic" products have texture added by hand, scraped or carved into the surface of the plank by a craftsman or woodworker.
"Rustic" products have natural sources of texture, such as character marks.
A surface of heavy graining, visible mineral streaks, and dark knots creates a unique appearance.
Within these two basic types are multiple styles.
"Time worn aged" and "antique" get the hand-scraped look from aging.
However, more than aging is done to the wood.
For a distinct appearance, this style additionally highlights the grain, has contouring for added texture, or involves dark staining to exaggerate the aged appearance.
If, on the other hand, a floor must be distinctly textured, consider "hand sculpted," "wire brushed," or "hand hewn and rough sawn.
" Ranging from the smoothest to roughest, these three types all have some physical alteration.
However, hand-sculpted wood has a less jagged scraped feel, while hand hewn and rough sawn is known for visible saw marks.
Aside from aging or texture, hand-scraped wood can have a superficial distressed look.
"French bleed" styles are characterized by deeper beveled edges.
While these edges make the floor seem older and more worn, a darker stain added enhances the depth.
For another option, pegged flooring is a decorative product that quickly adds a distressed quality to the space.
On the other hand, not all hand-scraped products are as specific.
Lower price ranges have distressing done by machine or another method.
A pattern is pressed into the surface of the wood, or if laminate, a photographic image of distressing is added.
In either case, the pattern across the full floor takes on a repetitive and somewhat artificial quality.
On the other end of the spectrum is custom hand-scraped flooring.
In this case, an unfinished hardwood is selected ahead of time, and any species - from common domestic oak to exotic tigerwood or Brazilian walnut - is an option.
After the wood is installed, a professional alters the surface, distressing it by hand.
Methods used create a varying, aged look across the entire floor's surface, and any combination of beating with chains, fastening antique nails, bleaching, or pickeling is possible.
With all of these factors, such distressed hardwood has a variety of looks.
Although considered a trend at the moment, hand-scraped hardwood continues to see its popularity increase, and if you are considering this style, how do you know which one is for you? First, before you make a decision, examine all of the possibilities.
Two basic types are available.
"Classic" products have texture added by hand, scraped or carved into the surface of the plank by a craftsman or woodworker.
"Rustic" products have natural sources of texture, such as character marks.
A surface of heavy graining, visible mineral streaks, and dark knots creates a unique appearance.
Within these two basic types are multiple styles.
"Time worn aged" and "antique" get the hand-scraped look from aging.
However, more than aging is done to the wood.
For a distinct appearance, this style additionally highlights the grain, has contouring for added texture, or involves dark staining to exaggerate the aged appearance.
If, on the other hand, a floor must be distinctly textured, consider "hand sculpted," "wire brushed," or "hand hewn and rough sawn.
" Ranging from the smoothest to roughest, these three types all have some physical alteration.
However, hand-sculpted wood has a less jagged scraped feel, while hand hewn and rough sawn is known for visible saw marks.
Aside from aging or texture, hand-scraped wood can have a superficial distressed look.
"French bleed" styles are characterized by deeper beveled edges.
While these edges make the floor seem older and more worn, a darker stain added enhances the depth.
For another option, pegged flooring is a decorative product that quickly adds a distressed quality to the space.
On the other hand, not all hand-scraped products are as specific.
Lower price ranges have distressing done by machine or another method.
A pattern is pressed into the surface of the wood, or if laminate, a photographic image of distressing is added.
In either case, the pattern across the full floor takes on a repetitive and somewhat artificial quality.
On the other end of the spectrum is custom hand-scraped flooring.
In this case, an unfinished hardwood is selected ahead of time, and any species - from common domestic oak to exotic tigerwood or Brazilian walnut - is an option.
After the wood is installed, a professional alters the surface, distressing it by hand.
Methods used create a varying, aged look across the entire floor's surface, and any combination of beating with chains, fastening antique nails, bleaching, or pickeling is possible.