Not everyone wants the grand, high-gloss types of wood flooring available nowadays; it can sometimes make your home look intimidating and palatial when you want it to be warm and welcoming. As an alternative, many people are now trying to achieve the rustic look, which basically means lived-in, loved and authentic.
This is one of the great qualities of wood flooring – it brings a sense of the natural into your home, giving the impression of getting back to basics. But how do you get the rustic look?
Distressed hardwood flooring
In some cases, manufacturers will offer pre-distressed wood flooring. This is where craftsmen have used their knowledge and specialist tools to create a surface that has more character and natural appeal than other types of wood flooring that barely resemble the natural materials they are made of. Some manufacturers even use reclaimed wood to create ‘antique flooring’, which has that extra sense of authenticity and charm.
Characteristics of rustic hardwood flooring
• Exposed or enhanced natural characteristics such as wormholes, cracks and saw marks
• Uneven board lengths and widths
• Heartwood is used, which has more markings and flaws than normal wood flooring
• Rich, deep colours to create a ‘darkened over time’ look
• Woods such as white oak or maple