There is a variety of hardwood flooring available in the market. But if you don’t know the types and textures of these options, choosing the right one can be difficult. And one such hardwood flooring option is hand-scraped hardwood flooring.
Hand-scraped hardwood flooring is what you find rarely. It has a rustic look that gives a very unique look to the flooring. Not for all types of interior, hand-scraped hardwood flooring is preferred by only a few people who love an antique and rustic look.
But before you select hand scraped hardwood flooring, you must know well about hand-scraped hardwood floors. Therefore to help you make an informed decision, I am here with all that I know about hand scraped hardwood flooring.
Hand Scraped Hardwood Flooring Look: The Appearance And Wood Type
Note that hand-scraped hardwood flooring is the name of a texture that denotes its type. It is a pattern created on different woods like oak, pine, hickory, and walnut. These four options are commonly used for the scraping method to manufacture hand-scraped hardwood planks.
Hand-scraped hardwood planks have a very rustic and worn-out look. The design looks very raw and unpolished as if someone has actually scraped the planks with their hands. In fact, in earlier ages, it was actually done by hand.
Though people used to scrape the planks to make it look smooth and fine, in today’s time, people scrape the wood to make it look worn out! Isn’t it interesting?
Hand scraped flooring, therefore, has a very raw appearance as if pure wood has been scraped. Though manufactured in the factory, the intention is to give a very rough and tough look.
The scrapes and scars are very prominent and the texture is a bit rough as if used for years. This gives an old and classic vibe in an interior which is why people understand the specialty of it. Even in a modern interior, it would offer the warmth and coziness of old houses.
People living in coastal areas, countryside, and farms prefer to use hand scraped flooring the most. However, people who love antique interiors often install it in modern houses. The look is so unique that you can’t find any alternative!
Pros and Cons of Hand Scraped Hardwood Flooring: Know Before You Choose
If you don’t know what is bad and what is good about hand scraped hardwood flooring, you would feel indecisive. To make the right decision, you should know the advantages as well as the drawbacks of using hand scraped hardwood flooring.
In this part of the article, I will be mentioning the pros and cons of hand scraped hardwood flooring:
Pros Of Hand Scraped Hardwood Flooring:
Hand scraped flooring is widely popular among people for a reason. It has a bunch of advantages that you can’t miss out on.
Here are a few advantages of using hand scraped hardwood flooring:
Highly Durable:
Hand scraped hardwood flooring is favorable for areas like kitchens, bathrooms, hallways, basements, etc. where the impact and moisture are high. In fact, minor scratches and scrapes would beautify the flooring rather than ruining the look.
As hand scraped hardwood is raw and solid with rough and tough surface, they don’t break or crack easily. If you consider the durability of other hardwood flooring, you would see that high maintenance is required. Minor spills, scratches, and damages can distort the look and reduce the durability of the flooring. This is not the case with hand scraped hardwood flooring.
If you are willing to choose a durable and long-lasting hardwood flooring, you can surely think of installing hand scraped hardwood flooring. Especially for high-traffic areas, this is a suitable option.
Rustic And Classic Appearance:
Needless to say, hand scraped hardwood flooring has excellent aesthetic value. The look is not smooth and polished as other hardwood planks like engineered or prefinished hardwood planks. But it has a unique appearance that can’t be replicated by any other hardwood.
Hand scraped hardwood flooring has a rustic and raw look giving a very warm and charming vibe. A very happening and vivid hardwood flooring option, hand scraped hardwood has an antique look. The classic beauty of hand scraped flooring not only suits old interiors but can adorn modern homes too.
A rare choice of flooring, I bet your guests will stare at the flooring if you install it. It is that unique and catchy.
Low And Easy Maintenance:
One of the biggest benefits of installing hand scraped hardwood flooring is that you won’t need to maintain it much. As scratches and stains can’t damage the flooring much, regular cleaning and sealing are not necessary.
Minor damages can’t distort hand scraped flooring much. Besides, they remain invisible within the scraped pattern of the planks. Similarly, stains and spills can’t put on marks on the flooring. Iff you wipe and sweep the floor twice or thrice a week, you can maintain the look.
Moreover, hand scraped flooring doesn’t require much sealing or polishing. The rough surface is capable of withstanding the impacts and moistures that sealing or finishing are not mandatory. Thus the overall maintenance of hand scraped flooring is super easy.
Cons Of Hand Scraped Hardwood Flooring:
Though it is one of the best flooring options, hand scraped flooring has some drawbacks too. Here are some of the disadvantages that you should remember:
Raw Look:
While many may like the raw and rustic look of hand scraped planks, many may not like the raw and unpolished look. In fact, in posh and rich areas, the scraped flooring pattern won’t match.
Similarly, hand scraped hardwood flooring has a monotonous look that many may not admire. Also, modern houses may not blend well with this flooring pattern.
Sometimes Costly:
The manufacturing process of hand scraped flooring is not so easy. Though they are factory-made hardwood planks, the process is quite complicated. While polishing is easy, creating a rough surface is hard. This is the reason why hand scraped hardwood is costly.
In fact, many manufacturers hand scrape to create this pattern. This makes the flooring more expensive. So yes, hand scraping is definitely not a budget-friendly option.
Related Questions About Hand Scraped Hardwood Flooring:
Why To Use Hand Scraped Wood Floors?
People who love a rustic flooring style would like to use hand scraped wood floors. The rough and random scrapes give a natural look that is suitable for many houses and interiors.
Besides, hand scraped wood is durable as well as hides scratches and bruises. For such benefits, using hand scraped wood flooring is a good idea.
How is hand scraped hardwood flooring different from other types of hardwood flooring?
Hand scraped hardwood flooring stands apart from other types of hardwood flooring due to its intentionally rough and textured surface. Unlike smooth or machine-distressed hardwood, hand scraped flooring undergoes a manual scraping or distressing process, giving it a more authentic, vintage appearance. The texture and imperfections on hand scraped hardwood mimic the natural wear and tear found on antique floors, creating a unique and lived-in look that adds character and warmth to any space.
Is hand scraped hardwood flooring suitable for all interior styles?
While hand scraped hardwood flooring can complement various interior styles, its rustic and textured appearance is particularly well-suited for traditional, rustic, or vintage-inspired spaces. The unique texture and character of hand scraped flooring can add depth and charm to these styles. However, hand scraped flooring can also be incorporated into modern or contemporary designs to create an interesting contrast and add a touch of warmth and authenticity. It’s important to consider the overall aesthetic and balance of the space to ensure that hand scraped hardwood flooring aligns with your design vision.
Can hand scraped hardwood flooring be refinished?
Hand scraped hardwood flooring can generally be refinished. The extent of refinishing depends on the thickness of the wear layer and the condition of the flooring. The hand scraped texture may be slightly diminished during the refinishing process, but a professional can restore and reapply a new finish to revitalize the appearance of the flooring. It’s recommended to consult with a flooring professional to assess the condition of your specific hand scraped hardwood flooring and determine the best approach for refinishing based on its thickness and overall condition.
Are Hand Scraped Hardwood Floors Out Of Style?
Hand scraped hardwood flooring has not gone out of style. Though modern and posh interiors don’t prefer to have hand scraped flooring due to its raw texture, many people still admire its unique appearance.
Specially in basements, kitchens, bathrooms, hallways, hand scraped flooring is widely installed. So you can also install it if it matches the interior.
How Much Does Hand Scraped Hardwood Flooring Cost?
Hand scraped hardwood flooring is not inexpensive. If you install basic hand scraped hardwood flooring, it would cost between $135 to $150 for installation. For a better quality, you have to invest around $155 to $165.
Is Hand Scraped Flooring More Expensive?
Hand scraped hardwood flooring is generally costly. The scrapes are difficult to make and the look is truly unique. As the manufacturing cost is high and the process is crucial, hand scraped flooring is more expensive than the other hardwood flooring options.
Is Engineered Wood Better Than Hand Scraped Hardwood?
Engineered hardwood is considered as a better hardwood flooring than hand scraped flooring. As engineered hardwood is durable as well as aesthetically pleasing, it is considered better than hand scraped flooring. However, the look and qualities of hand scraped flooring is not replaceable.
How Do You Care For Hand Scraped Hardwood Floors?
Caring and maintaining hand scraped flooring is simpler than maintaining other hardwoods. Below are some points to maintain and care for hand scraped floor:
- Sweep or vacuum clean the flooring twice or thrice a week.
- Mop the flooring at least once a week to keep the shine. Don’t flood the flooring with excess water. Strain the water from the mop and then clean the flooring.
- Use mild wood cleaners or soap to clean the flooring. No abrasives should be used.
- Spills should be cleaned as soon as possible. Use a damp cloth to do this.
- Apply baking soda on stains or spills to remove them.
That is all you need to do to maintain hand scraped hardwood floors.
3 DIY Ways to Fix a Scratch in Hardwood Floors! (Video)
Conclusion:
Now that you know about hand scraped flooring, it is the time to decide whether you would choose it or not.
Consider all the pros and cons before you decide!