Wire-Brushed Hardwood Flooring

Wire-brushed hardwood has been run under stiff wire brushes that pull out the softer grain, leaving a lightly textured surface that shows off the natural pattern of the wood. The texture, especially under a matte finish, hides everyday scratches and scuffs better than smooth, glossy boards. The trade-offs: the grain holds a little more dust, and a wire-brushed floor can't be sanded the usual way without losing its texture.

How wire brushing works

Every growth ring in a tree has softer and harder wood. Wire brushing removes some of the softer fibers from the surface and leaves the harder grain standing slightly proud, so you can feel the grain under your hand and see it in raking light. Most wire-brushed flooring is brushed at the factory on machines built for it, before the finish is applied. Floor finishers can also brush an unfinished floor on site with brush attachments, but a factory product gives a consistent texture from box to box.

The effect depends on the species. Wire brushing works best on woods with a strong, open grain, which is why oak and hickory are the usual choices. On a fine, even-grained wood like maple there is less soft grain to remove, so the texture is subtler.

Why people choose it

• It hides wear. Small scratches, scuffs and dents blend into the texture instead of catching the light on a smooth surface.
• It looks natural. The grain reads more clearly, which suits wide planks and lighter, natural colors.
• It is easy to live with. Combined with a matte or low-sheen finish, it is a practical choice for busy homes, kids and pets.

Wire-brushed, smooth and hand-scraped compared

Cleaning a textured floor

Care is the same as for any finished hardwood, with a little more attention to dust. Sweep or dry dust mop often, and vacuum with the bare-floor setting or a soft brush head so you lift grit out of the grain instead of grinding it in. When the floor needs more than dusting, use a cleaner made for your floor's finish and a damp, well-wrung microfiber mop. Don't use a wet mop or a steam mop: water and steam can damage the finish and, over time, the wood. Wipe spills right away with a dry or slightly damp cloth.

What about refinishing later?

A wire-brushed floor can usually be kept looking fresh with a maintenance (recoat) coat of finish when it starts to look dull, following the flooring manufacturer's instructions. A full sand-and-refinish is different: sanding a textured floor flat removes the brushed texture, and putting it back requires brushing again. The NWFA's sanding guidelines say distressed floors, including wire-brushed ones, cannot be resanded using traditional methods if you want to keep the texture. On engineered floors, the thickness of the wear layer also limits how much sanding the boards can take.

Choosing a wire-brushed floor

• Pick the sheen with the texture. Matte and low-sheen finishes hide the most.
• Look at full boards. Texture shows differently in your light than in a photo.
• Check the wear layer on engineered products if you plan to keep the floor for decades.
• Think about the whole house. Textured planks work well with stairs and transitions when they're planned together; see what our installation includes.

We carry European white oak in natural, wire-brushed and custom-stained finishes, in planks from 7.5" to 13" wide. You can compare it against our other solid and engineered hardwood floors, including Provenza, at the showroom.

See the boards before you decide

Run your hand over wire-brushed boards in person. Visit our showroom at 21030 Victory Blvd, Woodland Hills, or book an in-home consultation. We bring flooring samples to your home. Call (818) 963-0878. Glamour Flooring is a family business serving the area since 2007, a licensed flooring contractor (CSLB #1005283) that installs the floors we sell.