What is a hand scraped wood floor?
Posted: October 31, 2022Updated 6/27/2025
Author – Ryan Palma Owner/CEO Sustainable Lumber Co.
Click on this link for more information, photo’s, and pricing on our wide selection of hardwood flooring, or to contact us for a pricing quote.
WHAT IS HAND-SCRAPED HARDWOOD FLOORING?
Hand-scraped hardwood flooring was a staple in homes for centuries. This traditional flooring was the norm throughout history before machines were invented for planing and sanding. This method required a master craftsman to hand-plane every board with nothing other than a hand-plane tool. The result was smooth uneven scrapes, scratches, and gauges on the wood that made each board uniquely beautiful.
Authentic hand-scraped flooring is often found in historic structures that pre-date the Industrial Revolution. Today, hand-scraped hardwood flooring is the exception rather than the norm, as well as those who craft it carry on this artisan tradition. Here are some reasons why you should invest in our prefinished hand-scraped Douglas Fir hardwood flooring, plus a video of one of our craftsmen at work.
Rustic Antique Appearance
Many homeowners believe a hand-scraped wood floor adds authenticity to a home or room. Hand-scraped flooring is often used to restore an older home to its traditional look while matching accessories like antique furniture, walls, ceilings, cabinets, and stairs. When you are trying to achieve a rustic or worn look, hand-scraped hardwood flooring is the perfect option. This flooring offers a unique traditional appearance that withstands the test of time.
Rustic Durability
One of the best benefits of a hand-scraped floor is durability. The floor is essentially “pre-worn”, any additional wear and tear like dents, dings, and scratches blend in and add to the character and rustic appeal. Inevitable marks and scars are a huge benefit that many homeowners find quite appealing when choosing a hand-scraped floor. Hand-scraped flooring “camouflages” the normal wear and tear of a wood floor, it is not only great for residential homes but also a perfect choice for commercial locations, restaurants, bars, or any high-traffic area.
The Cost
Hand-scraped hardwood floors do have a bit of an extra cost. Each flooring plank is traditionally scraped with nothing other than a trained Artisan and a hand tool. Due to the quality craftsmanship, labor, and time required to create each board, the flooring doesn’t come cheap. The Artisans who provide this type of service by hand spend years learning the trade. The art of hand-scraping the planks is not easy and very time-consuming, for example, it takes approximately 14 hours to scrape a 1,000-square-foot floor. Machine-scraped flooring is an option as well, however, they don’t have the same character and authenticity as a true traditional hand-scraped floor.
Quality
Our prefinished hand-scraped hardwood flooring is proudly made in Montana and produced from salvaged and SFI-certified Douglas Fir. Every plank is custom kiln dried to 6-8% moisture content with tongue and groove on all 4 sides. Our hardwood flooring is hand-scraped, hand-sanded, hand-rubbed with penetrating oils, factory-prefinished, and graded to our 99% usable specifications. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a higher quality Artisan crafted prefinished hand-scraped Douglas Fir hardwood flooring anywhere in the world.
If you’re in the market for hardwood floors, it’s time to take a closer look at Douglas Fir Flooring.
Our knowledgeable and educated staff is here to answer any additional questions you may have. Please call us today for a free quote: Ph# 406.642.7120 or submit an inquiry online. We look forward to working with you on your next project!