The juxtaposition of reddish heartwood with light tan sapwood likely caught your attention. For a domestic hardwood, hickory makes a visual impression, yet it is light enough to be versatile for many spaces. Added to its appearance, durability is another significant asset. With a Janka scale rating of 1820, hickory hardwood is one of the denser domestic species.

This quality, combined with the closed and rough grain, makes hickory hardwood difficult to install, posing issues with machining, sawing, sanding, and finishing. Although prefinished products are certainly an option, getting the right stain is easier achieved through installing unfinished flooring and experimenting with various finishes. So, after the wood is sanded and installed, what are your options?

Hickory’s grain often results in blotching, and to achieve a more even look, a wood conditioner can be used, or water-popping is another approach. The former seals off imperfect grains, preventing blotching once the finish is added. Water-popping, on the other hand, opens the grain up. After the wood is installed, rub it with a damp cloth. Apply the finish immediately after the flooring is dry.

But why go through such trouble? A third, and increasingly-popular, option is hand-scraped hickory flooring. With a distressed appearance, hand-scraped hickory is aged or physically altered through brushing and scraping to have a rustic character. The unique look aside, the texture of hand-scraped hickory flooring camouflages blotches better.

There’s no uniform type of hand-scraped hickory, however. If you go for this option, browse around for the look you want. Both Hurst Hardwoods and The Discount Flooring Company offer solid and engineered hand-scraped hickory hardwoods. In terms of style, on the other hand, the wood is aged, brushed or sculptured to create a textured look and feel, or accented with darker finish.