Hardwood Appearance

The texture, width and edge type are not as important as species in color in selecting a floor, but are still one of the most important factors, considering how important appearance is in selecting a floor. One reason a lot of people want hardwood floors is because they evoke a sense of quality and timelessness that you don't find with any other type of flooring. Hardwood flooring is distinctly American and a proud part of our national heritage. Because of this, a lot of people may want a floor that resembles older floors as much as possible.

One trend that has emerged that provides this look in a way not previously available from major manufacturers is the hand-scraped distressed appearance. This method uses the same technique used on some of the very first wood floors to create a flooring that appears to be weathered flooring that has lasted for generations. These floors are rustic and informal, so they are not for use in all areas of the home, but they are one of the most popular types of floors available now. Typically, hand-scraped floors are much more expensive than other floors, but some inexpensive engineered options have begun appearing on the market. But if one of these floors are out of your price range, there are other options you can use to maximize the decor of your floor.

Every floor has a plank width that strongly affects the look of the floor. Most floors are available in 3" planks or 2 1/4" strips. The planks will work just about anywhere, and the strips work in most areas, but generally look best in areas where the decor is fairly modern or contemporary. In informal areas, one option you might consider would be wide planks that normally range anywhere from 5" to 6". Planks that size are what was first installed in older homes, so their appearance definitely can make a floor look better in an informal setting.

One important type of width comes from floors that are longstrip. These floors are almost always engineered, and are fairly wide, very long planks that "float" over the subfloor. Typically, these pieces will be 7" or wider and over 72" (6 feet) long. However, most longstrips do not appear as one piece. They usually appear to have multiple pieces across each board. These are usually referred to as 3-Strip (around 2 1/2" per piece) or 2-Strip (around 3 1/2" per piece). Some longstrips can be found with slightly narrower pieces that appear as one plank, but they are harder to find and are mostly recommended for anyone looking for a simple installation with a wide plank.

Edges affect not only how the floor looks, but can also affect the installation.

Several floors offer square edges. These floors have a completely straight corner, and will show no visible seams within the floor, creating a clean and stunning visual effect. However, they are also some of the easiest to wear, and can create more visible gaps if the flooring is moved.

In contrast, some floors offer a beveled edge. This means that each floor has rounded edges with seams visible even from a distance, creating a more natural and realistic look. These edges also hide dirt and dust more easily than square edges, and even if they begin to form gaps over time, they will be much less noticeable. However, because the gaps are bigger, they also collect dirt and dust more easily, and can be more difficult to clean with a dust mop or vacuum brush.

Most floors feature an edge that combines the best features of square and beveled edges while minimizing their weaknesses. Called microbeveled or eased edges, these pieces are rounded slightly on the sides with seams visible when viewed up close, but not noticeable at a distance. Floors with these edges hide dirt and dust better than square edged floors, but are easier to clean than bevelled edge floors.

Some wood floors use a special technique, particularly hand-scraped floors, that have a very wide bevel but a square edge below the visible surface that minimizes any gaps between installed boards. These are often found on more expensive floors, but if you're in the market for hand-scraped floors, you might consider one of these.