Hand Scraping Techniques to Distress Hardwood Floors

Scraping

• Scrape the entire length of the floor with a hand scraper. Go with the grain of the wood and do not scrape over the knots. Keep a consistent angle, technique and force to the scraper; otherwise, the wood will look different in different places. As the blade dulls, it will also change the look of the wood. If you have others helping you, be aware that their sections will probably look different from yours, even if you attempt to use the same technique.

Gouging and Denting

• Fill a 1-gallon, heavy-duty canvas bag with large steel hardware nuts a quarter full. Swing the bag and hit the floor with enough force so that the wood is slightly dented. The amount of force will differ with each type of hardwood. Continue this along the entire floor. After you've made the dents, go back and lightly sand their edges with fine-grit sandpaper if you want them to look more worn and old.

Worm Holes

• Many types of wood have worms within the timber; and when the piece is cut along the horizontal axis of a worm hole, it leaves a distinctive mark. This can be simulated by using an electric drill or ice pick to remove wood on the floor in a similar pattern. A high-speed electric drill can easily get away from an inexperienced user so be very careful with this method. Worm holes are not common naturally, so overdoing them can lead to a sense of the wood being more flawed than aged.

Wear Patterns

• A path that is used over decades can wear out even the densest wood. Identify the likely paths through the room and lightly sand a wear pattern that mimics this wear. From one doorway to another is always a natural path. The pattern should be about 2 feet wide and only deep enough to mark the floor as worn in that area. Sanding by hand gives more control in terms of application, but a power buffer can make the job quicker if you are experienced with using one. The sanded areas will pick up stain differently, which will also make them stand out.