Wood Flooring: Texture, Style and Character
Flooring manufacturers and retailers offer materials in a virtually unlimited palette of colors, textures, patterns and finishes.
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distressing add texture, style and character to wood flooring.
Handscraped wood features long, irregular scrapes in the surface grain. A high degree of variation between planks makes each plank appear handcrafted and unique. Wirebrushed wood has fine wire scratches that expose the heart of the wood. The marks are relatively smooth and more consistent than those seen in handscraped or distressed wood. Distressed wood looks as though it's been through a lot of wear and tear with highly visible scrapes, burns, knots, wormholes and other signs that suggest an aged, antique look.
Wood brings beauty, warmth and vitality to any design vernacular. "People instinctively respond to wood," said Becca Dobosh, interior design project manager for Portland, Oregon-based SERA Architects. "It is a connection to nature, to life and to all that is alive and vital. Bringing nature indoors has a calming, soothing effect. I think wood will always be a part of the interior design vernacular."
Frequently asked questions
What is handscraped wood flooring?+
Handscraped wood flooring features long, irregular scrapes in the surface grain. A high degree of variation between planks makes each plank appear handcrafted and unique.
What is wirebrushed wood flooring?+
Wirebrushed wood has fine wire scratches that expose the heart of the wood. The marks are relatively smooth and more consistent than those seen in handscraped or distressed wood.
What does distressed wood flooring look like?+
Distressed wood looks as though it has been through a lot of wear and tear, with highly visible scrapes, burns, knots, wormholes and other signs that suggest an aged, antique look.
How do handscraped, wirebrushed and distressed finishes differ?+
Handscraped wood has long, irregular scrapes with high plank-to-plank variation, wirebrushed wood has smoother and more consistent fine wire scratches exposing the heart of the wood, and distressed wood shows pronounced wear marks like burns, knots and wormholes for an antique look.
Why do designers continue to use wood in interiors?+
According to Becca Dobosh of SERA Architects, people instinctively respond to wood as a connection to nature and life, and bringing nature indoors has a calming, soothing effect. She believes wood will always be part of the interior design vernacular.