The floor is one of the most important elements in interior design. And the choice of flooring is a crucial decision that is style-dependent. In addition, the decor of the house will play a big role. Parquet flooring is a great choice if you want to add warmth and style to the interior of your home. It’s a bonus that it also serves as insulation! We go into great detail about parquet flooring. As a result, you are better able to select the choice that is best for you. There are numerous choices, all with drastically different looks and price points.
When it comes to plain flooring, parquet flooring is unsurpassed. Any room with parquet flooring will continue to have a striking design element. Because it is constructed from tiny, geometrically fit hardwood pieces. Parquet reached its height of appeal in the US during the 1960s, following which, like many other boom trends, demand started to fall. However, parquet flooring has recently started to partially show signs of a comeback. A wider range of wood species and designs are now available to customers thanks to new manufacturing techniques.
About Parquet Flooring
Parquet flooring evokes feelings of opulence and the past. The geometric patterns of parquet flooring occasionally have a formal feel to them. Parquet floors can, however, be made to fit in any kind of house. To add some artistic flair to your floors while still preserving a cozy and rustic aesthetic. It all comes down to choosing the right wood, the right trend, and the right wrap-up.
For your home, parquet flooring can be a very striking, colorful, and distinctive flooring option. The word “parquet,” which dates to the 1600s, is derived from the French word “parqueterie.” By the eighteenth century, it was impossible to maintain the typical marble slabs in France. The wooden joints below would rot with each wash. And France’s wealthy and royal families were not happy. Parquet subsequently appeared. It was applied at Versailles’ “Royal Chateau.” However, that is the current name for flooring panels. Today, the main hardwoods used to make parquet include oak, walnut, maple, cherry, and even some exotic hardwoods.
Design Options for Parquet Flooring
Parquet is one of the most lavish and aesthetically pleasing flooring options. It is therefore a popular choice for formal areas like living rooms, dining rooms, and foyers. Nevertheless, despite its elegant precision and eye-catching visual appeal, parquet flooring has advantages in formal settings. It might have detrimental effects elsewhere. For bathrooms and kitchens, which are both visually busy and frequently small, parquet’s geometric patterns might be far too busy. Additionally, bedrooms with limited space may feel crowded by this extremely decorative flooring. What sets it apart from common wood flooring?
Traditional wood flooring is made up of wooden planks that are longer than 1 m and wider than 10 cm. We use smaller pieces of wood arranged in different patterns for parquet to improve the aesthetics and decoration of the floor. Geometric and angular forms are in high demand. However, herringbone or chevron parquet flooring is a more conventional option. In summary, solid wood flooring is constructed from solid wood. To make parquet, wood layers are covered with wood veneer. The main difference is this.
Costs and Opportunities
A distinctive parquet floor can still be put together by skilled artisans. Square tiles made of hardwood strips glued to weave. And the thin plywood bases make up the vast majority of modern parquet flooring options. Residential buildings no longer frequently feature custom parquet. Because it still requires cutting each piece of wood by hand. And then assembling them in a manner akin to a puzzle to produce mosaics, mandalas, and other intricate patterns. The few businesses that specialize in custom-made parquet charge $20 to $45 per square foot or more, depending on the level of complexity.
The most popular type of flooring for homes right now is parquet tile. Additionally, they are conducive to DIY. These tiles are frequently made from a variety of hardwoods, such as oak, chestnut, ash, and walnut. Additionally, bamboo and some exotic wood species are offered. Parquet floor tiles are sold in squares with dimensions 9, 12, and 18 per carton. For the installation of parquet flooring, homeowners should budget $3 to $5 per square foot. An additional $7 to $10 per square foot will be needed for professional parquet tile installation.
Four things to consider when choosing the best parquet flooring:
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Design Is Important
Take into account how crucially important flooring is to the appearance and atmosphere of your home. It deserves extra thought. And updating it can increase the value, appeal, and functionality of your space. Parquet wood flooring is a great option because of its brightness. Additionally, it gives homes a graceful and cozy appearance, in contrast to colder tiles. If you want the result to be worthwhile, design, texture, color, and quality are important factors to take into account.
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Choose the Right Color
Light, medium, and dark wood flooring are the three main subcategories. Before deciding which one is best for you, there are a few things to consider. Consider your home’s size and the amount of natural light it receives. And your personal preferences so that the parquet flooring blends in with your decor.
A large, well-lit apartment, for instance, will look good with almost any type of parquet flooring. However, a small, dark space is perfect for light-colored parquet flooring. Don’t forget to take into account the style and color of your furnishings. Because not every type of furniture and decorating style pairs well with every color of parquet flooring.
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Design Enhances Style
Parquet flooring is made up of wood pieces arranged in a mosaic design. When laid out in intricate design formations, parquet floors can be completely captivating. They have long been utilized in buildings. Additionally, they have made significant progress in the previous few years. With careful planning, you can set up the decorative patterns you want to make your floor look lovely.
Parquet floors stand out from many other types of flooring due to their unique appearance. The reason why herringbone flooring is so well-liked is that it offers a distinctive design that can perfectly complement your home.
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Watch Your Budget
Another important factor to think about is the available funding. Another consideration is your budget for your new floor. The flooring material, which also provides the floor’s surface, hides the foundation.
Parquet flooring is made up of frames made of smaller pieces arranged in a grid the size of tiles. It is available in a variety of qualities and price points. And with the most expensive option is chipboard covered in wood veneer, followed by laminated wood and solid wood. A typical hardwood parquet floor’s installation cost also depends on the grade, surface, preparation, and labor rate, as well as their performance and finish.
Parquet flooring
Parquet tiles come in the following common dimensions: 9 by 9, 12 by 12, and 19 by 19. The total thickness of tiles typically ranges from 5/16 to 3/4 inches. Parquet tile mesh backing is typically made of paper, cloth, or plastic. And a thin metal or plastic frame is stitched to it. Usually made of oak, the top layer of hardwood. Also, can be made of walnut, walnut, or another common hardwood species.
You can buy finished or unfinished parquet
In its unfinished, unpolished natural state, parquet is susceptible to harm and staining. It must be finished to protect its hardwood surface. Unfinished tiles are scratched, smudged, and finished on-site after the flooring is installed. Because you can choose the stain color or any type of finish you prefer. This gives you a wide range of decorative options.
Prefinished parquet tiles have an extremely durable wood finish that is applied in the factory. Because this is done in an industrial setting rather than on-site, the finish can be noticeably more durable. As a result, installing a finish in your home is less difficult and messy.
Problems with Water and Parquetry
Parquet flooring performs better in humid environments than typical hardwood planks. The reduced propensity for expansion of the tile’s slats is the cause of this. The shrinkage is caused by changes in humidity. Since parquet is still primarily made of wood, it will warp, mold, and swell in highly humid areas like frequently used bathrooms.
Replacing parquet floors with hardwood flooring made of reclaimed wood
Reclaimed wood flooring is currently in style. Its adaptability is helping it gain popularity. These floors are created using materials from old structures. The segments are separated based on type. Depending on where they were found, the pieces can be of different types and ages. Beech or oak makes up the majority of the antique wood. Excellently adaptable and suitable for both residential and commercial settings, this type of flooring. Repurposed wood is a fantastic flooring material. Because it is a great deal more sophisticated and potent than fresh wood.
Installing Advice
Contractors and flooring experts are well-versed in the art of installing parquet tiles. However, whether you choose to do it yourself or with the help of a professional, the following guide will help you comprehend what’s involved. Keeping this in mind, manufacturer specifications can alter. Therefore, always follow the instructions on the parquet flooring tile carton.
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Installation getting ready
For the installation of parquet flooring, a stable organic material, such as a solid subfloor, should be utilized. The foundation must be dry and level. Before installation, baseboards ought to be taken down.
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Give it time to adjust
Parquet flooring must acclimate to the space because it is made of real wood. It will be laid here to reduce the possibility of gaps developing later between the strips. The typical hardwood acclimation time is two weeks. Place the cartons inside the space; no need to remove the tiles. The wood strips may move very slightly and imperceptibly as they adjust to the temperature and humidity.
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Plan out your layout carefully
In a parquet floor, the pattern repeats with each new tile. Likewise, if the layers are not perfectly straight or parallel to the walls. The finished item will be subpar. When designing the layout, you must take into account the fact that not all rooms are square. The tile instructions go into great detail about how to create a floor layout. Follow the directions exactly for results that look professional.
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Make use of the tools and supplies suggested
The recommended tools and materials are designed to give you the best results. But don’t just wing it with what you’ve got. The type of adhesive also varies depending on the brand of tile. And the manufacturer will frequently recommend a trowel with a specific number of notches of a specific size.
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Instead of using a circular saw to cut, use a jigsaw
With a circular saw, other kinds of wood flooring are typically cut. But the wood strips in parquet frequently contain tiny wires. These wires could get tangled up in the circular saw’s blade. It would be dangerous, ruining the tile, and maybe even damaging the saw itself. The wire and wood are effortlessly cut through by the up-and-down motion of a jigsaw.
Upkeep of parquet flooring
- If you take the right steps to safeguard your investment, your parquet floors will look beautiful for many years.
- Use a microfibre cloth or wool dust mop to get rid of light dirt like dust and crumbs when cleaning the floor every day.
- Any wet spills should be quickly cleaned up with absorbent paper towels. Use a damp washcloth or sponge on gooey stains.
- When required, vacuum once per week with a brush attachment.
- Use a wood floor cleaning product once a month, or as required, to maintain a shiny, lustrous appearance.
- Use caution when dusting wood furniture as certain products can make parquet floors dangerously slick.
- Sparingly use a steam broom. Due to the heat and moisture, the wood grain might even swell, which would be bad for the finish.
- The finish could be damaged if floor wax or other surface finishing products intended for ceramic or vinyl tile floors are applied.
- To protect the finish of your floor, place rugs in areas with a lot of foot traffic.
- Put felt or silicone protectors that stick to the underside of furniture legs to prevent scuffs.
Advantages of parquet floors
When parquet flooring is installed, the space feels incredibly cozy. We frequently select furniture made of beech or cherry. One of the advantages is the warmth you feel beneath your feet. The advantages listed below support setting up hardwood flooring made of premium wood:
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Attractive to the eye
The finely-grained or uneven surface of hardwood flooring does look fantastic, vibrant, and elegant. While wood oil and hard wax oil provide a visual feast, varnish leaves a stunning shine.
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The floor is cozy and spotless
Hardwood flooring, which is free of harmful substances, regulates the indoor climate. Due to the open pores of hardwood flooring, the extra moisture in the air is absorbed and expelled.
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The dampening of sound
Unquestionably, wooden floors have an impact on noise. But the hardwood must be installed properly. Families with children or rental properties can greatly benefit from hardwood flooring.
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Durability
Whether it is solid or multi-layered, all of our hardwood floorings are made from renewable wood. To be on the safe side in terms of eco-balance, you should install hardwood flooring made of domestic species like beech, ash, or oak. You can use Indonesia’s lovely teak wood guilt-free. Since it is also controlled to grow there on a sizable scale.
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Reliable and strong
The more intricate the wood is, the more resistant the hardwood flooring’s surface is. There are hardly any traces of claws, high heels, or chair legs. If traces do develop, they will, however, look brand new following a light sanding and a fresh coat of varnish or oil.
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Easy to clean
Start the vacuum, give the floor a quick once over with a soft, marginally damp cloth, and you’re done! Only a few drops of detergent, like hardwood floor cleaner, in the water, are needed for perfect cleaning.
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Ideal for allergy sufferers
For those who suffer from allergies, in particular, installing hardwood flooring is ideal. The first reason is that hardwood flooring is allergen-free. And second, as was already mentioned, it is also very easy to clean. Furthermore, hardwood floors have the power to regulate the climate. It will especially be appreciated by those with sensitive respiratory systems.
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Ideal for pets
In the same locations as us humans, our canine friends feel at home. A raised piece of wood can easily withstand repeated scratching attacks from your best friend. Additionally, if something goes wrong while they are eating, it shouldn’t be a problem and can be quickly cleaned off.
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Contemporary and timeless
Floors that squeak have been installed for centuries. Additionally, it consistently caters to modern tastes. A change in interior decor style is simple to make up for hardwood floors. Taking into account the fact that hardwood flooring is genuine. It is an enduring classic in interior design If maintained properly, hardwood flooring can last for a few years. Therefore, a real wooden floor cannot be affected by transient changes in fashion.
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Your home’s outdoor spaces
Include some natural elements in your home or place of business. A high-quality wooden floor ought to be your first choice if you want your house to feel natural. Hardwood flooring’s natural scent and wooden surface make it very adaptable. And it offers a lot of advantages. For instance, an ornate interior design scheme can be effectively contrasted with a tastefully chosen wooden floor. Wood flooring installation will assist you in achieving your current aesthetic.
Has parquet flooring been installed on a floating or glued base?
Floating parquet flooring
Implementing floating hardwood flooring is quick and much easier than gluing. In the interim, many manufacturers have developed simple floor connection systems. And with a little handiwork, the elegant wooden floors are quickly and precisely laid. The connections of such systems guarantee a smooth transition between each slat. Additionally, after installation, floating wooden floors can be walked on, making them immediately livable. However, make certain the floor slab is dry and spotless.
A significant unevenness or hole must be stabilized before the hardwood floor can be installed. For hardwood flooring, the carpet that has already been installed is a terrible surface. And it should be removed in advance. The biggest and most obvious advantage of floating wooden floors is how simple and easy it is to remove the planks. This makes them perfect for rental apartments. If you carefully handle the removal, you could even reinstall the hardwood flooring.
Install glue-down parquet flooring throughout
Installing floating wooden floors is not always feasible. In living spaces with underfloor heating, for instance, the floating option is not recommended. There is a layer of air between the floor and the surface of the floor. As a result of this hurting thermal conductivity, the heating effect is reduced. Consequently, in living rooms with heated floors, the hardwood floor is usually glued. Some types of wood are more suitable for this specific variation of laying than others. Oak and walnut are examples of hardwoods with excellent thermal conductivity. On the other hand, if you want to design flooring that will last for many years. It should be completely glued after that. Furthermore, most wooden floors can be easily renovated. This will allow the top layer, or wear layer, to be taken off and the hardwood floor’s smoothness and cleanliness returned.
Refinishing Parquet Flooring
With the right maintenance, your parquet floor must maintain its luster for at least 10 to 15 years. Even a wood floor that has been well-maintained can eventually start to look a little drab. It is especially in areas where there is a lot of foot traffic. When the top coat starts to deteriorate, refinishing is an option. But it should likely be handled by a specialist in wood flooring.
Refinishing a parquet floor can be difficult because sanding is needed to remove the old finish. Sanding wood should be done along the grain to prevent cross-grain marks. Because the wood grain on a parquet floor is uneven. It requires extreme caution to remove the previous finish without damaging the wood surface underneath.
