Hardwood flooring is believed by many to be the best choice for flooring, and there are so many hardwood flooring options. One major choice that you have is between the tradition of solid hardwood and the technology of engineered hardwood. If you think that you can’t get a rustic look with engineered hardwood flooring, think again!
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Another option that you may have to decide on is if you want any special design elements. One that is especially popular at the moment is handscraped hardwood flooring. Believe it or not, you can find engineered hardwood flooring that is handscraped, for the best of both worlds!
Look at the following five handscraped engineered hardwoods for your floors before you buy any hardwood flooring for your home. Engineered hardwood flooring might be a better choice for your family or your budget, and you will love the look of handscraped hardwood flooring.
Engineered Hardwood Flooring
Engineered hardwood flooring is an option that has really gained popularity since its introduction in the hardwood flooring world a few years ago. Engineered hardwood flooring panels are made of several layers of wood, called plies. The plies are laminated together in a crisscross pattern with a thin strip of the actual hardwood on the top walking surface. It is generally thinner than solid hardwood flooring, and it can be installed in a number of ways.
Because engineered hardwood flooring is made completely of wood, it is considered to be in the same group as solid hardwood flooring. Engineered hardwood flooring has more installation options than solid hardwood flooring, however. The crisscross pattern of its construction makes for a stronger flooring product that does not bend and contract as much as solid hardwood flooring will in some applications.
Because of its sturdy construction, engineered hardwood flooring can be installed in many places where you would never dream of putting solid hardwood flooring. For one, engineered hardwood can be installed below grade, or in rooms that are underground, such as basements. Typically, most basements have a high moisture content that will cause solid hardwood to warp and rot, but engineered hardwood flooring can hold up to such extreme conditions. Engineered hardwood flooring is also an excellent option for other high-moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms.
Engineered hardwood flooring is considered to be more environmentally friendly than solid hardwood flooring, because it requires less precious hardwood to make the upper layer of the board, according to the Sierra Club.
One tree can make more planks of flooring, as softer, less desirable wood in used on the inner plies. Because of the smaller amount of hardwood needed to make engineered hardwood flooring, it is also usually less expensive than traditional, solid hardwood flooring.
However, it is important to note that most solid hardwood flooring is considered to be environmentally friendly, as wood is a renewable resource. Many countries, including the U.S., utilize commercial timber tracts that are replanted and renewed faster than they are harvested for flooring. Most hardwood flooring manufacturers, solid and engineered alike, boast of their product’s eco-friendly ties and search out certification from organizations such as the Forest Stewardship Council.
Handscraped Hardwood Flooring
Handscraped hardwood flooring has enjoyed a revival in the last few years, as many homeowners want an authentic, rustic look. The Wood Floor Covering Association lists handscraped flooring as one of the top trends in hardwood flooring today. Basically, handscraped hardwood flooring is mimicking the look of old hardwood floors that hearken back to the days when every board of wood flooring had to be planed by hand.
A master craftsman would use knives and other tools to make each wooden board as uniform and as flat as possible, but the process would still leave uneven areas and marks that many feel lent a desirable texture and character to the flooring. In an effort to replicate the look, many manufacturers offer handscraped hardwood flooring that has been marked up by hand or machine to create those marks and flaws that make a hardwood floor truly one-of-a-kind.
The National Wood Flooring Association conducted a study that resulted in a 96% consensus among interior designers for hardwood flooring complementing any décor.
1: Anderson Eagle Lodge
Anderson Floors offers an exceptional engineered handscraped hardwood flooring with its Eagle Lodge line, which is proudly made in the USA. The handscraping on this particular product is considered to be semi-rough, so it has a distinct rustic look with a high amount of markings that make for a unique appearance.
Rustic flooring such as Anderson’s Eagle Lodge collection has been shown to complement just about any décor and design style, especially if you are looking to add warmth and character to any room.
There are five colors to choose from in the Eagle Lodge collection, and all are medium to dark tones of rich brown. From the lightest, Cinnamon Bun, to the darkest, Lariat, the Anderson Eagle Lodge collection emanates old-world charm. The flooring is offered in boards that are 5 inches in width and 1/2-inch thick; the manufacturers assure that it is well-suited for use over a radiant heating system.
2: Columbia Gunnison Handscraped
Columbia Flooring also offers a handscraped engineered hardwood flooring that is made in the U.S. The handscraping on this particular product is much more subtle, referred to as Soft-Scraped by the manufacturer. There are four tried-and-true wood species from which to choose: Hickory, Maple, Oak, and Walnut. Furthermore, there are seven different shades, ranging from the medium honey of Honeysuckle Hickory, to the grayish-brown of Walnut, to the stately dark browns of Antique Hickory.
The boards are offered in a 5-inch width that is 3/8-inch thick, and they can be installed with traditional methods like nail-down or no-fuss methods such as floating over an existing floor. An added bonus is that Columbia Gunnison uses a formaldehyde-free process for creating a superior and health-conscious product. An article by Hard Wood Flooring Magazine points to the potential dangers from formaldehyde leaking from engineered hardwood flooring.
Prices range around $4 a square foot, but vary depending upon the market.
3: IndusParquet 1/2″ x 5″ Engineered Handscraped
IndusParquet is made in Brazil, and it too has an understated handscraping effect. It is rougher than smooth-finished flooring, but the handscraping effect is not as rustic.
If you want the exotic look of non-traditional hardwood flooring, then you will certainly find a beautiful option among IndusParquet’s distinct line of Tigerwood, Brazilian Cherry, Brazilian Pecan, Brazilian Chestnut, Amendoim, and Brazilian Angelim hardwood floors.
The colors and tones include blondes, the rich reds of Brazilian Cherry, ultra-dark browns, the ashy browns of Pecan, and the distinct contrasting tones of Tigerwood.
The floor boards themselves measure 1/2-inch thick and five inches wide, and prices range from $6 to $7 a square foot. The striking designs and foreign feel of the hardwood flooring options offered by IndusParquet have certainly been the company’s bread-and-butter over the years, and the Engineered Handscraped line lives up to the brand’s reputation.
4: Versini Turino Handscraped
Versini Turino is made in China, and its costs range around $3 a square foot, depending upon the market. It offers a gentle handscraping effect, and you can choose from traditional hardwood species such as White Oak or from innovative exotics like Eucalyptus, Brazilian Cherry, Timborana, and Ipe. There are a variety of tones from which to choose. A particularly popular option is the honey-red tones of Brazilian Cherry.
At 5 inches wide and 3/8-inch thick, Versini’s Turino handscraped flooring options can be installed in any room in your home, including kitchens, bathrooms, and basements. You can float the hardwood flooring for an easy install or use more traditional methods such as glue or nails. All options include the ultra-durable aluminum oxide finish for a wear layer that is 2 millimeters thick.
5: LM Flooring River Ranch Collection
LM Flooring is also manufactured in China, and its River Ranch Collection offers a semi-rough handscraping that creates a rustic look. Made of Hickory, the four stain options are all relatively light to medium in color, with a high contrast from the handscraping and the natural bands of the wood.
Each board of LM Flooring’s River Ranch collection is 5 inches wide and 3/8-inch thick. A low satin finish hides any scratches or scrapes that can make it through the ultra-durable construction. The River Ranch collection will certainly look like it has been in your home since master craftsmen were creating each board by hand, and a 25-year wear layer warranty will keep it looking that way for a long time.
You can have the look of age-old floors for around $3 to $4 a square foot, achieving that timeless look that defines LM Flooring’s brand.
The River Ranch Collection will look at home in many rustic settings or traditional décor that cry out for an edge of character.
The beauty and versatility of hardwood flooring is certainly revealed in any of the five options of engineered handscraped flooring listed above. Truly a meeting of the craftsmanship and artistic quality of traditional hardwood flooring, with the cutting-edge of technology, engineered handscraped flooring is a perfect option for any home!
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