Distressed Hardwood Flooring
From Floor Coverings
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What is Distressed Hardwood Flooring?
Is distressed hardwood flooring real wood?
Distressed hardwood flooring is a wonderful way to bring your home back to its original period look. While the distressed flooring can be real (recycled barn wood is a good example) a lot of distressed hardwood is created in the factory or by the individual craftsperson. A simple example of that is taking a plank outside and then beating it with chains or banging it with a hammer. The planks are then smoothed down so that there are no splinters and then finished with whatever the manufacturer or individual wishes. The dents and nicks absorb stain to a greater depth and give the wood its aged appearance.
Is distressed flooring also hand scraped?
Of course, flooring isn’t the only use for distressed wood. It can be used to make furniture and moldings for your period house. Restoring an old house to its original look can mean a lot of work but with pre-aged wood, distressed hardwood flooring and antique stains and paint colors, it can be done. There can be no greater satisfaction than a completed renovation project that makes people think that the house has been kept in pristine condition since it was first built. But, the best place to start your one room or whole house renovation project is with the flooring. Because distressed and antiqued flooring is often hand scraped and created, it can be more expensive than regular flooring, but is worth it in order to give your house that proper old and period look and feel.
What wood species are used for distressed hardwood flooring?
Many woods are used for different looks when flooring is created. Oak may be the commonest but even pine can be used for a rustic lodge feeling. And for that primitive country style there is no better wood than real distressed and silvered barn wood. If you are lucky and live in the country perhaps a farmer or ranch owner, about to demolish an old barn, will give you the wood for free if you haul it away, or at least cheaper than buying it in a salvage yard. The wood has to then be planed to the right size for flooring and a stain chosen, plus a sealant. Professionals can help with all that if you are the homeowner finding and salvaging the wood.
Where does distressed flooring come from?
If you are out and about hunting for real antique wood flooring, have an idea in mind of the amount you need for a project. Once a barn or building is demolished and all of the wood taken and used, there will be no more wood of that certain grain and texture and age anywhere. Over buy a bit if you have to because any extra can be used for spares, or for furniture (if you are so inclined). If your distressed hardwood flooring is purchases from a manufacturer then that problem will probably not occur, as they can manufacture any more to guidelines already in place.
