Parquet flooring was used in France starting in the early 1700s. The word “parquet” itself originated from the French term “parquetry,” which means “small compartment.”
Parquet is an elegant type of flooring as it adds a dramatic design effect to any space. It was the favorite floor for many years and reached its peak during the 1960s. After that, demand slowed due to the high competition with the new emergent types of floorings.
Nowadays, we can say that parquet flooring has shown signs of a comeback, due to its new manufacturing techniques, which offer a wider range of wood motifs with competitive price.
What Is Parquet Flooring?
Parquet flooring is small pieces of wood, which are cut and fit together in a geometric shape, one at time. Then, it is fixed to the floor by screws or glows. Hence, the installation process requires high skilled workers and more time, so parquet was mostly used in prestigious places.
Parquet flooring is made of hardwoods, and the popular types include oak, ash, and walnut. The tiles are varying in thickness and can be joined with tongue-and-groove connections into a variety of patterns in puzzle-like fashion to form mosaics, mandalas, and other intricate designs.
Parquet Flooring Pros and Cons
It is important to be aware of the pros and cons of parquet before investing your time and money.
PROS
- Unique flooring as you can customize the pattern in unlimited shapes and designs.
- Beautiful and appeal flooring with wide range of textures and colors.
- Durable and long-lasting flooring, which can last more than 100 years.
- Improves your property resale value.
CONS
- Not strongly resistant to moisture, and it is not recommended to be installed in wet areas, and basements.
- Susceptible to scratches same as other types of hardwood flooring
- Expensive in comparison to traditional types of floorings.
- Color may change and fades in sunlight.
Installation Process
Let parquet acclimate:
Parquet is a natural material and needs to be acclimatized sufficiently after purchase to avoid the risk of shrinking or expand.
Preparation for installation:
It should be installed on a stable, clean, and dry subfloor with sharp level.
Match room layout and design:
Not all rooms are perfectly square, and you’ll need to take that into consideration before installation. Some tiles should be repeated with every subsequent tile, and if the rows are not perfectly straight, or not aligned precisely with the walls, the result will be unprofessional.
Use the best materials and tools:
Using the right type of adhesive is very important to avoid any future problems. Consult your seller for the most recommended types of adhesive. Using a jigsaw with a sharp blade will guarantee you sharp and clean piece of parquet.
Parquet Flooring Maintenance
Parquet is not a cheap type of flooring. Therefore, you need to know the process of maintaining it, in order to stay beautiful and shining for years.
- For daily care, clean the floor with a microfiber or wool dust mop to remove any dusts. Vacuum is good cleaning option with a brush attachment.
- Wipe up spills carefully with absorbent paper towels. You can also use a damp washcloth or sponge on any sticky stains.
- Use only wood cleaning products to maintain the brightness and shiny look.
- Avoid putting anything with high temperature on the floors, as the heat can damage the wood grains.
- Don’t move the furniture without adding protectors under furniture legs to prevent scratches.
- Carefully select floor wax type to polish your floor annually.
- Get some rugs for high traffic areas to protect your parquet floor.
Rebirth your Parquet Flooring
Parquet is a hardwood, which can last for a long time. However, wood flooring can start to look dull after some years. Refinishing parquet flooring is a good option to renew your old floors.
The process requires sanding in the same direction of the wood grain, removing the old layer of finish, and adding a new layer of protection lacquer for the brand-new shiny look.
