Rustic Engineered Hardwood

In the world of interior design, there’s a style that never seems to lose its charm – rustic. The style exudes warmth, coziness, and a connection to nature, making it a beloved choice for many homeowners.

Finding the perfect floor literally creates the foundation for any style. Fortunately, the flooring industry has cooperated by offering options that deliver that rustic style. So, you don’t have to go to a reclaimed lumber yard to find the perfect rustic floor product.

How does Rustic Differ From Farmhouse Style?

Let’s start by distinguishing farmhouse and rustic design styles. Homeowners often use those terms interchangeably — not without good reason.

The farmhouse and rustic design styles use natural materials and a warm, cozy aesthetic. So, they share common elements. For example, both include floors or beams made of old, worn wood and vintage elements like aged hand-crafted furniture. 

However, the farmhouse style is usually less natural. Farmhouse interiors are typically polished and refined. Furniture is painted or buffed to look more new. You’ll also see metal accents, vintage furniture, and open shelving.

Modern farmhouse flooring features whitewashed natural wood or a mix of grays. Those lighter, muted colors complement the style.

Rustic Style Interiors Have a More Worn Look

Conversely, rustic uses a more rugged and raw aesthetic. It features unfinished or distressed wood and exposed brick. The rustic style uses reclaimed wood in its natural state to give it a cabin-like feel.

Rustic hardwood flooring is naturally, intentionally distressed, or aged to create a natural, worn, and vintage look. Remember the hand scraping and wire brushing mentioned. They help create an aged look to the flooring. Often, rustic designs even feature reclaimed flooring.

Here’s a closer look at flooring options to capture the rustic style.

What is Rustic Wood Flooring?

Rustic wood flooring captures the essence of nature in your home. The flooring highlights natural imperfections, like knots, cracks, and unique grain patterns. Those character marks give it a genuine and weathered appearance.

Don’t confuse rustic with outdated, though. Today’s modern rustic style is a beautiful blend of old and new. Think clean lines paired with distressed wood textures, pops of color against earthy tones, and modern furniture with a touch of vintage flair. It’s warm and inviting yet sophisticated and stylish.

Rustic Style vs. Rustic Grade Flooring

When you hear rustic wood flooring, it can mean two things to different people.

For some, it refers to a design approach, an aesthetic you want to create. It includes rustic wood flooring but expands to furniture, decorations, and fabrics.

For others, rustic refers to a grade of flooring. In the flooring industry, rustic-grade wood features more knots, mineral deposits, and imperfections than higher grades like AB. It relates, however, to the wood itself and not the style.

But with its imperfections, the rustic grade lends itself flawlessly to the rustic style.

Types of Rustic Wood Flooring

Rustic wood flooring comes in two versions: solid and engineered hardwood. But both have similar characteristics that make the floors look more natural and artisan.

For example, rustic floors often include hand scraping or wire brushing. Generally, they also feature wider planks to capture a more dated appeal.

Solid hardwood is the traditional choice, offering timeless beauty and exceptional durability.

Rustic Engineered Flooring vs. Solid Hardwood

Today, many homeowners prefer rustic engineered hardwoods over solid. Why?

First, solid wood floors generally cost more than engineered hardwoods. As a result, a solid oak floor typically costs more than an engineered oak floor.

Second, you can install rustic engineered hardwoods in more places than solid hardwood. Solid wood absorbs water, creating problems in damp basements and even kitchens.

Rustic engineered floors, on the other hand, are water resistant. Their construction makes them less prone to expanding and contracting. So they can handle spills and high humidity better than solid wood floors.

Third, engineered wood flooring is generally easier to install. Their most endearing quality is that you can float them. You don’t have to glue or nail them in place. That won’t work with solid hardwoods that require a solid foundation.

Common Species for Rustic Engineered Hardwood Flooring

Several wood species fit the bill for rustic wood flooring. Common choices include oak, hickory, maple, and heart pine. Each species brings unique grain patterns and color variations to create a unique rustic aesthetic in your space.

• Hickory: This tough wood boasts stunning graining and knots, perfect for adding a touch of ruggedness. Hickory flooring screams rustic while delivering one-of-a-kind looks. Hickory is one of the hardest wood flooring selections capable of handling high traffic. 

• Oak: A classic choice, oak comes in various shades. Its heavy grain pattern adds to its rustic character. Engineered oak flooring works equally well with farmhouse or rustic decors. It’s little wonder oak is the favorite among U.S. homeowners. 

• Pine: Pine is a great option for creating a cozy cabin vibe with warm, reddish tones. The flooring is also affordable. However, pine is a softer wood that easily dents and scratches. 

• Chestnut: This durable wood features a rich, honeyed color and subtle figuring, ideal for a touch of elegance. 

Rustic Wide Plank Wood Flooring Adds Even More Character

Wide floorboards are a hallmark of rustic design. They add instant drama and grandeur to any space. Wide plank hardwood flooring also creates fewer seams in your flooring. That makes wood grains the show’s star, embodying the rustic aesthetic.

Companies like TMBR® offer rustic engineered hardwoods in 6″ and 7-1/2″ widths. Best of all, they back their flooring with a 50-year residential warranty.

Get Back to Nature with Rustic Engineered Hardwoods

The rustic style has its roots in nature, embodying a more relaxed, down-to-earth feel. TMBR captures that with its lineup of rustic engineered hardwood flooring. You can select from natural wood flooring in oak, maple, and hickory with on-trend wide planks.

Find TMBR products at a dealer near you. Try our flooring visualizer to see how our natural wood flooring looks in your room.