All You Need To Know About Parquet Flooring

When it comes to extravagant flooring, parquet has the edge. It is made of tiny pieces of wood arranged with geometric designs, the parquet floor is an attractive aesthetic element to any space. The United States, parquet reached its peak of popularity in the 1960s. But after that, like other boom trends the demand for it slowed down.

However, recently parquet flooring has been showing signs of revival and this is due to modern manufacturing techniques that provide consumers with a larger selection of wood species and patterns. Continue reading to learn about the benefits and drawbacks as well as the prices as well as installation and maintenance to determine if this striking design underfoot is for you.

What Is Parquet Flooring?

Parquet originates from the French word "parquetry," meaning "small compartment." It was first introduced in France during the 17th Century in which artisans designed intricate designs by trimming and fitting small pieces of wood one at a time and then gluing them on the floor. Due to the skills and time involved the parquet floor was originally only available to wealthy houses and public structures. Some of the first examples are still in existence, such as the Galleria of Hercule in the Hotel Lambert, Paris--and are considered art works as such.

Possibilities And Prices

Although craftsmen can still put together a unique parquet floor however, the majority of contemporary flooring is made of square tiles with pieces of hardwood that are bonded with a wire or a thin plywood base.

Custom-made parquet is not often found in modern homes since it requires cutting pieces of wood and assembling them in a puzzle-like manner to create mandalas, mosaics and various other complex designs. The handful of companies that specialize in custom-designed parquet charge from $20 to $45 for each square foot or more, depending on the complexity.

There are a variety of hardwoods like oak, chestnut walnut, and ash are popular for these tiles. You are also able to find exotic species of bamboo and other woods. Parquet flooring tiles are sold by the carton, and are available in 9-inch, 12-inch or 18-inch sizes. If the tiles are installed by an owner, parquet flooring costs $3 to five dollars per square feet. The installation by a professional can increase the price to about $7 to $10 per square foot.

Parquet Pros And Cons

Before investing your time and money into parquet flooring, take a look at its positive as well as negative sides of the flooring.

PROS

• Variety, with hundreds of intricate patterns to choose from.
• The warmth and awe of authentic wood.
• Tile installation is DIY-friendly without nailing needed.

CONS

• It isn't easy to finish (see further).
• Do not install above the grade (in basements) because of the typical moisture issues.
• Not recommended for high-humidity locations, such as laundries and bathrooms.

Installation Tips

A lot of flooring contractors and flooring experts are skilled at installing parquet tiles. However, whether you decide to work with a professional or attempt the task yourself these tips will provide you with an understanding of what's required. Remember that the manufacturer's specifications differ, so it is important to adhere to the directions included in the box of flooring tiles with parquet.

Installation Preparation

Parquet flooring should be placed on a stable base, like a solid subfloor. The flooring must be level and dry. Get rid of baseboards prior to installation.

Let It Acclimatize

The parquet is real wood and must be acclimated to the space in which it is placed to minimize the possibility of gaps forming later in the strips. The typical time to acclimatize for hardwood flooring is two weeks. Set the boxes in the room. There you don't need to remove the tiles. The wood strips can be able to move without notice because they adapt to humidity and temperature.

Make Sure You Plan Your Layout Properly. 

Parquet tile designs repeat with each subsequent tile. If the rows aren't straight or exactly aligned in relation to walls results will look sloppy. Some rooms are not square, so you'll have to be aware of that when designing the plan. Tiles come with clear instructions on how to create an ideal floor plan. Follow these instructions exactly to get professional outcomes.

Make Use Of The Tools And Materials Recommended By The Manufacturer

The recommended tools and materials are specifically designed to deliver the most effective results, so don't play around with the materials at the ready. The kind of adhesive is different based on the type of tile however, the manufacturer might also recommend a trowel with particular dimensions of notches.

Cut Using A Jigsaw And Not A Circular Saw

While it is normal to cut different types of flooring made of wood using the circular saw, parquet usually has tiny wires embedded into these wood pieces. The wires could get caught in the rotating blade of the circular saw, causing danger, destroying the tile and damage to the saw. The upward and downward motion of Jigsaw can cut through wire and wood without causing any problems.

Parquet Floor Maintenance

Make sure you protect your investment by giving it the appropriate care, and your flooring will last for many years to come.

• To maintain your floor clean the floor using wool or microfiber mop to get rid of dust and light particles.
• Make sure you clean up spills quickly using sponges that absorb water. Make use of a moist sponge or washcloth to remove sticky stains.
• Vacuum at least once a week or as needed, with an attachment for your brush.
• Make use of the cleaning products designed specifically for wooden floors every month or as often as you need to maintain a sparkling and shiny look.
• Beware of dusting products for wood furniture that could make parquet floors extremely slippery.
• Avoid using steam mop. The heat and moisture could harm the finish and increase the size of the wood grain.
• Avoid applying polishing or floor wax specifically designed for ceramic or vinyl tile floors as they could harm the floor's finish.
• Place rugs in areas with high traffic to safeguard your flooring's finish.
• Utilize silicone sticks or felt protectors on furniture legs to avoid scratches.

Refinishing, A Parquet Floor

With proper care the parquet floor will keep its shine for 10-15 years or even longer. As time passes even the most meticulously maintained parquet flooring can begin to appear dull, particularly in busy areas. If the finish coat becomes thin, refinishing can be an option, however it must be performed by a professional in wood flooring.

Refinishing the floor of a parquet isn't an easy task because the removal of the previous finish involves sanding and wood should be sanded in the direction of its grain in order to keep cross-grain marks from appearing. Since a parquet floor has pieces of wood that run in different directions, taking off the previous finish without causing damage to the the wood underneath requires meticulous attention.