HANDCRAFTED HARDWOOD FLOORINGS

Pros and Cons of Handcrafted Hardwood Flooring

Hardwood floors have been around for centuries. Most home owners admire these floorings because they can stay for decades without causing any issues. If you want a flooring that is favored by most people in your home, hardwood is an ideal choice.

There are so many different types of hardwood flooring to choose from. Time after time, the handcrafted alias hand scraped hardwood floors have turned into everybody’s much loved pick. The past and present history of these floors is truly interesting. Experts strongly believe that this the kind of flooring that can suit anyone’s budget, taste and décor. There are so many varieties to choose from! And, if you are keen in retaining the natural look of wooden floors, you will find the handcrafted varieties truly useful.

What are Handcrafted or hand scraped wooden floors?

First things first, you must be aware of these definition of these wooden floors. The handcrafted wooden floors are an interesting type of flooring from the past. These floors were designed and installed in homes before the time of machines. This means, handcrafted wooden floors were famous even before sanding and finishing machines were introduced. Even today, the hand crafted wooden floors are the best. They offer the finest, smoothest and shiniest surfaces of all. And, it is always a wonder how mankind was able to achieve that level of shine without the help of sophisticated machines.

As suggested by its name, handcrafted wooden floors rely on the craftsmanship of the designer. Everything on the floor should be performed by hand. When we quote “everything”, it means all stages of flooring should be managed by hand. May be this is what makes the handcrafted hardwood floors truly special and expensive. Since everything is done by hand, there is plenty of room for scratches, and uneven pockets. Once again, these are marks that can add more uniqueness to the hardwood floors.

If you take a good look at buildings which were designed before the Industrial Revolution, you will find many hand scraped hardwood floors. Those days, the idea of scraping floors by hand was the cheapest solution. In fact, it was considered as the norm for generations. Artists were excited by the idea of hand scraping huge areas of flooring. The rustic and distinct appearance was appreciated by enthusiasts around the world.

Now, if you are planning to invest on handcrafted hardwood floors, there are few things you should be aware off. You must be aware of the benefits and drawbacks in having these kinds of flooring. So, let’s get started…

Pros of Hand Scraped Hardwood floors

Antique Finishes and Rustic Appearance

As mentioned previously, handcrafted wooden floors have the best finish of all. The uneven pockets, marks and scratches add more value to these hardwood floors. Most of the time, homeowners look for authenticity in their rooms and homes. These homeowners are more likely to invest on handcrafted floors. They will be able to bring back to life old cultures and traditions in their property. Whether it is a residential or a commercial building, hand scraped hardwood floors can do the trick.

Compliment Wooden Furniture

Many a times, homeowners look for flooring solutions that can complement their existing furniture. Well, if a majority of your furniture are made of wood, you will find the hardwood floors useful. These floors will add more charm and elegance to the room. Not to forget, the style quotient of handcrafted hardwood floors is unbeatable. Machine cut floors will not have the worn, or old effect found in handcrafted hardwood floors. This means, machine cut hardwood flooring is not a great choice at all times. Sometimes, you need to challenge time and opt for the older looking hardwood floors.

Durability

The talk about handcrafted hardwood floors will never be complete without durability. A lot of people question if these floors are truly durable. Well, there is no doubt on how durable and reliable hand scraped hardwood floors can be. A major reason behind its durable nature would be the kind of treatments and methods used on the wood. When harsh chemicals and machinery are not applied on hardwood, the timber is more likely to last longer. This is a proven theory that holds good for hand scraped hardwood too!

In fact, the finish in hand scraped hardwood is unbeatable. Homeowners with these kinds of flooring are no longer expected to worry about kid gloves. Machined floors need to be treated with kid gloves, if you want it to sparkle and shine all the time. And, if your home has plenty of pets and kids, you will find the handcrafted hardwood floors useful. As quoted before, the scratches, scrapes and dents in this kind of hardwood is natural. No mark will appear unsightly on these floors. After all, this is what makes the hardwood floors appealing to homeowners.

Anti-Scratch

Another interesting reason to choose handcrafted hardwood would be for its protective finish. Almost all wooden floors have a protective finish, which keeps it from wear and tear issues. Wooden floors are often laid to last for centuries. And, when you refinish wooden floors by hand, it’s longevity increases by leaps and bounds. In general, hand scraped wooden floors are capable of lasting for a decade or two. The anti-scratch coating on these floors will ensure that you don’t have to refinish frequently. After 20 long years, you can consider recoating and screening the handcrafted hardwood floors. Of course, the above procedure will only make the wood last even longer.

Easy Maintenance

Last but certainly not the least, hardwood floors are extremely easy to maintain. This is one of the biggest perks in buying these floors. Maintenance is almost effortless with this kind of flooring.

To mop the hardwood floor, you need basic elements like water. In fact, you don’t need to invest on expensive, harsh chemicals. Using harsh chemicals on hardwood floors will destroy its look and feel. So, keep all your cleaning sessions simple and gentle.

Cons of Handcrafted Hardwood Floors

With all the benefits kept aside, here are few drawbacks of handcrafted hardwood floors. These drawbacks are bound to be seen in all hardwood floors! Yet, they are more relevant when the floors are hand scraped.

Expensive Flooring

The most commonly spoken drawback of handcrafted hardwood floors would be cost. When compared to any other kind of flooring, these varieties don’t come at a low price. This is mainly because the craftsmanship behind these floors is difficult and never an easy feat. People who create handcrafted hardwood floors have decades of experience in the industry. And, they will never offer their skilled services at a rock bottom price.

Difficult Installation Method

Another challenge in handcrafted hardwood floors would be tough installation. A novice professional cannot install these kinds of floors. You need talented, and highly skilled teams to accomplish a clean job. After all, the handcrafted planks are truly expensive. You don’t need a novice team messing it up. Also, no one would want their handcrafted hardwood floors damaged during installation.

Conclusion

On the whole, handcrafted hardwood floors are a great addition to any home. Ensure that the right professionals are hired for the job. And, when you stick to true professionals, you can be certain that the flooring would last long.