Hand Scraped Hardwood Floors for Making YOUR Interiors Impressive

Their random board lengths and patterns of natural grain speak of nature’s beauty and craftsmanship, and how! Hand scraped wood can give any room an old- time charm and warmth. Though this style is somewhat more expensive than other flooring types, it imparts a special look to any home or workplace; thereby enhancing the panoramic appeal of the area covered by the same. Yes, hand scarped hardwood flooring is a modern flooring trend that is adopted widely by interior decorators and architects alike.

What is a Hand Scraped Hardwood Floor?

This style of flooring gets its name from an old technique of using a knife for scraping planks. The art of creating hand scraped wood has been passed down generations by woodworkers. However, in recent times, the scraping processes are carried out either by hand or machine.

Hand scraped hardwood floor can be an option for both solid and engineered wood. Engineered wood is just like plywood made up of several strips pressed together. On the other hand, hand scraped wood requires woodworkers to shave wood for creating even surfaces manually. However, this method is receding into the galleries and is no longer in practice on a large scale.

How is it Different from Distressed Hardwood Flooring?

Although the two styles have similar manufacturing processes, hand scraped floors have more variations from plank to plank than their counterparts in distressed hardwood flooring. In the case of distressed flooring, the floor is made to look as if it has gone through comparatively more wear and tear. Additionally, the scraping process in case of distressed floor is almost always carried out by machines; thereby making the markings on the planks more uniform, and boasting of added details. Conversely, hand scraped hardwood floors appear with hand-made markings by artisans, or scrape-signs created by machines for imparting a more natural look.

Finishing for Discount Hand Scraped Hardwood Floors

As hand scraping is an individual process, it is often seen that no two contractors scrape the wooden floor the same way. Specifically saying, if there are several people working on a large floor area, you can easily distinguish different areas on a same floor. This is the reason that workers consistently move around the floor area to give off one unique look; otherwise the floor seems to be made up of patches.

In most cases, hand scraped hardwood floor finishing is carried out by urethane for providing a more durable coating. Urethane is a thick and clear substance that is applied to these floors, and requires minimal maintenance.

Care for Hand-scraped Floors

Hand scraped wood flooring can be an important investment for your space. Given below are few essential tips that will help your wooden floors last longer.

• Floors should be swept or vacuumed regularly to keep away dust and other abrasives that can scratch the floor finishing.

• It is best to protect the floor from excess liquid; for instance, all spills should be wiped off quickly.

• They should be protected from intense artificial lighting and direct sunlight; this is to reduce discoloration of any exposed wooden areas.

• It is best to stick felt pads under furniture or chair legs to smoothen their movement over the floors or when they are dragged from one part of the room to the other.

• Avoid dragging heavy and metallic objects on wooden floors for preventing damage to their upper surface.

• Keep pointed objects such as spiked heeled or sport shoes at bay; they may damage your hand scraped wooden floors beyond repair.

• Take caution while using bleaches, mildew removers, drain openers, acids, oven cleaners and plant food as these cleaning agents may contain strong chemicals that can be harmful for your hand scraped hardwood floors.

• Appropriate humidity, of the levels of 40 -60 %, should be maintained across all seasons of the year to control natural expansion and contraction processes.

• To avoid scratches trim your pet’s nails before allowing them onto these floors.

Things to Avoid

• Never pour any liquid, such as water or any type of cleaner, directly on the floor’s surface.

• Avoid using wax, oil-based detergents, or other common household cleaning agents on the floors as they may leave greasy films to attract dirt or make them slippery.

• Avoid using a steam cleaner or sweeper on your hardwood flooring.

Purchasing Hand scraped Hardwood Floors

Here are the definitions of some character markings that can be helpful while making a selection for hand scraped wood floorings:

• Knots: These are cylindrical hard regions that mark the location of branches that have been etched by a tree’s later growth.

• Sapwood: This is the pale- colored area that is close to the bark of the tree. There can be a dramatic difference in color between sapwood and the remaining wood in certain species. It is best to ask which wood species shows these characteristics.

• Growth rings: Growth rings are the layers of wood added to a tree during a single growing season, they are generally prevalent in spring and summer wood.

• Mineral streaks: These are olive or grayish markings caused due to environmental factors such as the presence of trace elements in soil and water.

What’s More?

Besides adding beauty and elegance to homes and offices, it is observed that the installation of such floors also keeps allergies away. Wooden floors are now being used for replacing carpeted areas that are the strongest trapping agents for dust and allergy causing agents, thus promoting advanced levels of cleanliness. Do know that wooden floors do not harbor microorganisms, allergies or harmful pesticides that can find their way indoors. Additionally, it is found that mold, dust and animal dander is minimal in homes with wooden floors.

Innovative hand scraped wood flooring ideas have always added beauty and character to homes and work places. Go for gorgeous flooring designs that promise to make your interiors enjoy their much needed wow factor!

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