Hand Scraped Vs Smooth Hardwood Floors: Pros And Cons

When it comes to choosing the right hardwood flooring for your home, it’s important to understand the comparison of hand-scraped vs smooth hardwood floors.

Hand-scraped floors are known for their rustic, textured look and ability to hide minor dents and scratches, while smooth floors offer a classic, clean appearance that’s easier to refinish and maintain.

I have experienced both floorings and I am going to share pros and cons of both types, helping you make a right decision for your floorings.

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What Are Hand Scraped Hardwood Floors?

Hand scraped hardwood flooring, with its unique grooves and marks, adds warmth and character to any room. It combines old-fashioned charm with a modern twist.

These floors make your home look like a well-preserved, historic house, blending past and present styles.

Prior to the 20th century, hardwood floors were refinished by scraping (1).

Hand Scraped Hardwood Flooring Pros

• Looks unique and old-style.
• Good at hiding small scratches and marks.
• Makes rooms feel cozy.
• Considered a special, fancy choice.

Hand Scraped Hardwood Flooring Cons

• Costs more than smooth floors.
• Hard to sand down and redo.
• Can’t easily change the color.
• May not fit well with very modern looks.

What Are Smooth Hardwood Floors?

Smooth wood floors offer a classic hardwood look that has been popular in homes for centuries. Their appeal comes from the natural character and grain of the wood itself, without any extra textures added by hand or machine.

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Smooth Hardwood Floors Pros

• Traditional, clean look.
• Simple to clean.
• Can be sanded and made new again.
• Fits with many room styles.

Smooth Hardwood Floors Cons

• Shows scratches and dents more.
• Needs more cleaning to stay looking good.
• Might need more touch-ups in busy areas.
• Can be slippery if it’s too shiny.

Hand Scraped Vs Smooth Hardwood Floors: Pros And Cons Comparison

Let’s compare the classic look of smooth hardwood with the unique feel of hand-scraped floors, and see which one fits your needs and style the best.

Hand Scraped Hardwood Floors Have A Higher Resale Value Than Smooth Hardwood

Hand-scraped hardwood floors are often seen as a premium option in homes due to their unique character and artisanal appeal. This uniqueness often translates into a higher resale value compared to smooth hardwood floors.

Smooth hardwood, while elegant and classic, doesn’t have the same distinctive appeal. Buyers may be attracted to the rich texture and timeless look of hand-scraped wood, seeing it as a luxurious feature that enhances the overall aesthetic of a home.

Hand Scraped Hardwood Floors Has Greater Durability Than Smooth Hardwood

Hand-scraped hardwood is known for its durability. Its textured surface can better hide minor scratches and dents, making it a practical choice for high-traffic areas. In contrast, smooth hardwood floors, while also durable, can show wear and tear more easily.

This means that over time, smooth floors might require more maintenance to keep them looking pristine compared to the more forgiving hand-scraped surfaces.

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Unlike Smooth Hardwood, Hand-scraped hardwood Floors cannot be refinished

One limitation of hand-scraped hardwood is that it’s challenging to refinish due to its uneven surface. This contrasts with smooth hardwood floors, which can be sanded down and refinished several times to restore their original luster.

This refinishing capability extends the life of smooth hardwood floors, making them a long-term investment for homeowners.

Smooth Hardwood Floors Can Last Longer Than Hand Scraped Hardwood

The ability to refinish smooth hardwood floors contributes to their longevity. Over time, they can be sanded and refinished to address wear and tear, essentially renewing the floor’s surface.

Hand-scraped hardwood, while robust, doesn’t offer the same ease of refinishing, which might limit its lifespan in comparison.

Smooth Hardwood Floors Requires Higher Maintenance Than Hand Scraped Hardwood

Smooth hardwood floors often require more maintenance than hand-scraped hardwood. The smooth surface can show scratches, dents, and dirt more readily, necessitating regular cleaning and careful use.

Conversely, hand-scraped hardwood, with its textured surface, is more forgiving. Minor imperfections are less noticeable, reducing the need for frequent maintenance.

Hand Scraped Hardwood Floors Cost Higher Than Smooth Hardwood

Generally, hand-scraped hardwood floors, which cost around $10 to $25 per square foot, are more expensive than smooth hardwood floors. This cost difference is due to the labor-intensive process of creating the hand-scraped texture.

Each plank is individually scraped, creating a unique, artisanal appearance. In comparison, smooth hardwood floors are more straightforward to manufacture, resulting in a lower cost.

Hand Scraped Hardwood Floors Have Higher Scratch resistance Than Smooth Hardwood

The textured surface of hand-scraped hardwood floors offers better scratch resistance than smooth hardwood.

Scratches and minor damages blend more naturally into the floor’s rustic texture, making them less noticeable.

On the other hand, scratches on smooth hardwood floors are more apparent and can detract from the floor’s sleek appearance.

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Hand Scraped Hardwood Floors Have Aged Texture, while Smooth Hardwood Floors Are Refined

Hand scraped hardwood floors provide a distinct aged and worn look that adds character and a sense of history to a space. This texture is particularly appealing in rustic or traditional settings.

In contrast, smooth hardwood floors offer a refined, sleek look that suits a variety of decor styles, from modern to classic. The choice between the two often comes down to personal preference and the desired aesthetic of the home.

Hand Scraped Hardwood Floors Cannot Be Stained

When you choose hand-scraped hardwood floors, you’re pretty much deciding on their color for a long time.

These floors are sealed with a tough finish that keeps them looking good for about twenty years without much work from you.

But, if you ever want to change the color, it’s not easy. The special scraped texture of these floors means that if you try to sand them down to apply a new stain, you’ll likely lose that unique scraped look.

On the other hand, smooth hardwood floors are more flexible when it comes to changing colors. Since they have a flat and even surface, you can sand them down and restain them to a different color if you want a new look.

This makes smooth hardwood floors a good choice if you like to update your home’s style now and then. They give you the freedom to change the floor color without worrying about losing any special texture or finish.

Hand Scraped Vs Smooth Hardwood Floors: Which One To Choose?

If you prefer a floor that hides scratches and has a unique, rustic look, choose hand-scraped hardwood.

For a more traditional and easy-to-maintain option that you can sand and refinish, go with smooth hardwood. Your choice depends on your style preference and how much maintenance you’re willing to do.

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Final Thoughts

The decision between Hand Scraped Vs Smooth Hardwood Floors comes down to your personal taste and lifestyle needs. If you’re drawn to a floor with character that requires less frequent maintenance, hand-scraped is the way to go.

On the other hand, if you value a timeless look and the flexibility to refinish, smooth hardwood is your ideal choice. Whichever you choose, both types bring their own unique beauty and functionality to your home.