Hand Scraped Wood Floors

Also referred to as hand sculptured hardwood flooring, hand scraped hardwood flooring is surging in popularity since the 1800s, due to the traditional wood floor look it gives with its resilient urethane finishes. Although hand scraped wooden floors cost slightly more, they do give an elegant and extravagant look to the floor. Before the modern sanding techniques came about, wood floors were hand scraped to attain a flat and even finish before they were installed at the respective locations. However, with time, this hand scraping method is used more as a fashion statement, wherein hand scraped wood floors with their rich textures are used in opulent homes as well as some commercial establishments.

Hand Scraped Wooden Floors

These wood floors are crafted by hand to achieve a unique flooring that is one of a kind. This is because each hand crafted piece of the flooring is unique, making the whole flooring unique. Handcrafted by the traditional methods of labor of expert craftsmen, the wood emanates timeless beauty in each contour of wood. Hand scraping is the method in which wood is made to look older than it actually is, thereby imparting that rustic and naturally worn out look to the wood. While some craftsmen may use denting, scooping, scraping or roughing methods to scrape the floor, others may just sand the floor unevenly to create a worn out look. In fact, some of the dexterous artisans are capable of creating the most reclaimed floors with splits, wormholes and other such naturally appearing markings on the wood, giving it the most natural appeal whatsoever!

How to Hand Scrape Wood Floors

Available in heavy, medium and light scraping, hand scrap wood floors are brought about by first sanding the wood floor using a 38-grit disc floor sander. Then follow it by sanding the floor with a 60-grit disc sand scraper. The stained edges can be a challenge to get at. For this, use a 6-inch spinner. Once the floor has been sanded, use a vacuum cleaner to suck out all the dust off the floor. Now comes the most important part: the scraping! Take a scraper and after wetting a small portion of the wood floor, scrape that particular area slowly and steadily. Always scrape against the grain to achieve that desired worn out look. Use the vacuum cleaner to suck away all the shavings. For some dents in the floor, lash the floor with a metal chain. For some random scratch patterns use a paint scraper in slicing motion. A crow bar, a buffer, etc. can also be used for attaining other patterns on the floor. Vacuum and clean the area of all dust and debris and then using a paint roller apply a coat of stain. After 12 hours apply a second coat of the same and your hand scraped wood floor is ready!

Hand Scraped Wood Floors Care

The wood may look rustic and worn off, but it still is new and needs to be cleaned and protected from deterioration. Maintaining it is not difficult, thus, there is no need to get intimidated or apprehensive. Just keep clearing the floor of any kinds of food particles, dust, debris, pebbles, etc. from the flooring with a dust mop. Next, in a gallon of water add quarter cup apple cider vinegar and stir the solution. Take a clean rag and dunk it in this water. Avoid using a cleaning mop, because cleaning with your hands using a rag will be more effective. Just remember to wear rubber gloves while cleaning the floor. Run another dry rag over the floor, once your done with wet mopping. The apple cider vinegar will not only clean the flooring, but will also disinfect it.

These days, several companies are resorting to machines to achieve the traditional hand scraped wooden look at cheaper costs. The machine finished floors are called distressed hardwood floors. However, these distressed floors often show repetition of pattern and cannot be called unique as the hand done ones. To get the most natural rustic look, you need to get dexterous artisans experienced in hand scraping wood. One can also opt for the lovely hand scraped laminate wood floors or hand scraped bamboo floors, which also provide a unique, antique look. Overall, these floors are perfect for those desiderating to have a stylish and elegant looking flooring at home.