Hand-scraped and other flooring finishes
By Michelle Sierra,
Distressed Hardwood
If you are looking for a unique-looking floor, distressed hardwood might be the way to go. This type of flooring undergoes specific processes to give it more character and an antique, reclaimed look. The planks of hardwood flooring may be hand-scraped or wire-brushed as part of these processes.
Hand-scraped hardwood
Hand-scraped wood floors derive their name from what was once a common technique of using a drawknife on wood planks to scrape them to smoothness. In this method, scrape marks were left behind as hand-scraped wood floors were the norm before industrialization.
Wire-brushed hardwood
Wire-brushed flooring is a hardwood floor whose surface has undergone scraping with a wire brush. The goal for this is to achieve a texture that's anything but smooth and glossy. The process of scraping the hardwood with a wire brush pulls out the soft grain from the tree's growth ring.
Smooth Hardwood
For a classic hardwood floor, smooth wood represents the traditional look of hardwood flooring used in homes and facilities for hundreds of years. Furthermore, a smooth product captures the look of its species' characters and grains without being processed or added to by a machine.
Matte and high gloss finishes
The primary purpose of a matte finish is to make hardwood floors appear more natural. They will not reflect much light, unlike high gloss wood finishes. High gloss can reflect around 75% of a room's light, making it appear brighter. However, it can also make the wood look less natural or genuine.
Satin finish
The best of both worlds would be a satin finish. Try a satin finish if the matte is too dull but the high gloss is too shiny. A low-luster satin finish is a level in between matt and gloss. You will have a little bit more of a shine, but you can still keep a more natural look on your hardwood floors.
TIP: The truth is that high gloss flooring looks distinguished and adds a stunning ambiance to a space but requires a lot of maintenance! Matte and satin hardwood floors create a calming atmosphere with a natural look and don't require as much maintenance.
Come and look at Creative Carpet & Flooring's flooring options to see which type of hardwood finishes you like more!