Smoked vs. Carbonized Hardwood Floors

​The Provenza Old World flooring collection is among the most premier varieties of hardwood. This collection captures the traditional beauty of centuries past while also offering the durability and longevity we expect from modern floors. However, when browsing Provenza Old World styles, you might encounter unfamiliar terms like “smoking” and “carbonizing.” Understanding these terms will help you make an informed choice for your home’s floor and better appreciate your new surface.
 
A smoked hardwood surface has been treated with fumes to alter its color. The practice dates back to the turn of the twentieth century. Innovators discovered that when oak is exposed to an atmosphere with high amounts of ammonia, the oak’s color darkened to a gorgeous shade. Today, this technique is used to achieve a range of hues from rich brown to near black.
 
Carbonization is a different technique for changing hardwood’s color. When hardwood is carbonized, it is treated with heat to caramelize the natural sugars in the wood, resulting in a beautiful caramel color. Carbonized hardwood comes in many shades and species, and it is well represented in the Provenza Old World flooring collection. To learn more about your choices for premier hardwood, talk to a sales associate.