The short version
- Matte hides scratches and footprints. Gloss shows everything and dates fastest.
- Wire-brushed is a light texture that hides wear well and is still current.
- Hand-scraped is heavy texture, a 2000s look that's fading.
- Micro-bevels look like real boards. Big bevels catch dirt.
Sheen
| Sheen | Look | Hides wear? |
|---|---|---|
| Matte (ultra-low) | Natural, like oiled wood | Best |
| Satin | Soft glow | Good |
| Semi-gloss / gloss | Shiny, formal | Worst |
Texture
- Smooth: clean and modern. Shows scratches more.
- Wire-brushed: softer grain is brushed out, giving a subtle texture. Great with kids and dogs.
- Hand-scraped / distressed: heavy, rustic texture. Popular in the 2000s and reads dated now.
- Embossed-in-register (EIR) on vinyl and laminate: the texture follows the printed grain, so it looks more real.
Edges
- Square edge: seamless, like site-finished floors.
- Micro-bevel: subtle plank definition. The most popular.
- Deep or painted bevel: stronger plank lines. Collects more grit.
Common questions
Is matte or glossy flooring better?
Matte and low-sheen finishes hide scratches, dust and footprints much better and are the current look. Glossy floors show every mark and tend to date quickly.
Is hand-scraped flooring out of style?
Heavily hand-scraped textures were popular in the 2000s and are fading. A light wire-brushed texture is the more current way to hide wear.
Who's writing this: Rose and Thorn Flooring is a flooring company in Surrey, BC. We install floors for a living, so yes, we'd love to do yours. But nobody pays us to say nice things about a product, and we don't earn commission from any brand. If something here is wrong or out of date, text us at 604-716-4160 and we'll fix it.