There’s a newfound interest in antiques, and in flooring, it seems that “everything old is new again.” Hand-scraped flooring is leading the way in this trend, incorporating rustic and old-style elements into modern home design.
Hand-scraping was originally done in the pre-power tool days, on-site, after the rough floor had been laid. Workers used draw knives to smooth out the rough saw marks on the planks, creating a comfortable walking surface. However, without fine milling and sanding, the hand-scraping left a distinctively grooved surface. Although smooth to the touch, the wood features ridges and grooves left by the knife.
As Americans shed their rustic past like a winter coat, they eagerly embraced machine-milled floors as they became available. This relegated hand-scraped flooring to more rural and remote areas. Over time, the uniformity of 2 ¼” width boards with shiny, smooth finishes became monotonous, and people began searching for “new” alternatives. In recent years, there has been a resurgence of wide plank floors, top-nailed or pegged floors, rough-sawn, and hand-scraped flooring materials.
Another trend complementing this return to the past is the recycling of antique wooden beams, lumber, and flooring into modern flooring materials. The lumber is harvested from old buildings, barns, and factories, then de-nailed and milled into tongue-and-groove flooring or used as the top laminate in modern, engineered floors. Tongue-and-groove boards are the traditional nail-down type, while engineered flooring offers various installation methods, including nail-down, glue-down, and snap-and-lock floating installations. The advantage of using antique wood is its rich aging and patina. In some cases, it’s the only way to use rare or extinct species, such as American Elm and American Chestnut. And, as you might expect, recycled flooring is also available with hand-scraped finishes.
Man Versus Machine
While many floors are labeled “hand-scraped,” this may only describe the look, not the actual process. Most new hand-scraped flooring is machine-milled to recreate the hand-scraped appearance. The result looks good and offers a pleasant tactile feel, but critics point out that the patterns tend to repeat, which can be a drawback. This is more noticeable in darker finished woods and less so in lighter finishes. The advantage of machine finishing, of course, is its lower cost compared to the labor-intensive process of hand-scraping individual floorboards. The real benefit of authentic hand-scraped floors is the unique, distinct, and truly handcrafted look they offer.
Where to Find Hand-Scraped Flooring
When looking for hand-scraped floor ideas, try visiting high-end retail establishments like upscale clothing stores, restaurants, and wine bars. These types of places often feature hand-scraped flooring, and you can gather plenty of ideas before heading to your local home retailer. In big-box stores, you’ll find a variety of hand-scraped flooring options from different suppliers. Be sure to ask the most knowledgeable salesperson (preferably someone with installation experience) lots of questions about installation, wear, refinishing, warranties, and more. Remember, this is a long-term investment—potentially lasting 20 to 50 years!
After exploring the big-box options, visit a custom flooring store where you can see actual hand-scraped floors. You’ll definitely notice a difference. The key question is whether it’s worth paying extra for. Don’t hesitate to ask the salesperson plenty of questions. There can be texture differences between manufacturers, so comparing options side by side is important. Also, ask where the flooring is made, as some offshore products may not meet the quality of domestic flooring. If possible, ask to see installations of your top choices—seeing a complete floor, rather than just a small sample, can be helpful.
Pre-finished or Finish It Yourself
Most modern hand-scraped flooring comes as engineered and pre-finished, so you simply install it and you’re good to go. Other flooring may come unfinished, requiring additional work on your part. Sanding is not an option, as it would erase the character you’ve paid for. Many people opt for a “hand-rubbed” finish that complements the texture of the wood, creating a softer appearance. Rubbing the finish into the surface accentuates the high and low spots, resulting in a subtly varied surface with light and dark tones. You might want to explore oil finishes, such as tung oil, for a warm, inviting look.
A Floor of Distinction
Once you compare hand-scraped flooring with traditional, smooth-finished flooring, you’ll appreciate the visual and tactile appeal. However, there are other ways to add distinction to your flooring project. For example, distressed wood features random dents, bruises, and “wear” marks that mimic an old, well-worn floor. Top-nailing or “pegging” your floors also gives them a great antique look. A custom finish on a smooth, unfinished wooden floor—using light and dark stains—can create a rich, highly varied appearance, with darker edges and bevels and a lighter center. We recommend experimenting with finishing techniques on scrap pieces before applying them to your new floor.
The beauty of hand-scraped flooring is enhanced by natural light, so consider installing it in sunny, well-lit areas like living rooms, family rooms, or bright kitchens. You might want to orient the boards to run toward the windows to accentuate the linear texture of the wood and maximize the natural light in the room.