Parquet is the most efficient, long-term use of “short” lengths of quality hardwood, which is a significant use of a resource, that could otherwise be wasted, due to the limited use, for “short” lengths, of select, kiln-dried hardwood. So parquet does not require the felling of trees, but rather, is the most efficient use of sawmill offal, that delivers a lifetime of valuable, functional use.
What Is Parquetry Flooring?
Parquet transforms flooring into a stunning design element in the interior, showcasing the talents of the artisans and women who make this masterpiece. There’s no doubt that parquet and herringbone floors are found in the most luxurious buildings in the world. The functional use of parquet has been well recognised for centuries, but can also fit within the contemporary home? What is the easiest way to get the Versailles appearance for your living room? What Is Parquetry Flooring? What are the best ways to install and maintain flooring made of parquet? This is a guide for flooring made of parquet.
Sometimes referred to as mosaic flooring, it is created by using blocks of wood that create a complex design. The way you arrange the blocks it is possible to create a range of patterns and designs, using either a single species of wood or combining many species for both colour and design features. Parquet’s most popular design is one of herringbone or chevron, but it is possible to incorporate more intricate patterns like diamonds, triangles, squares, and rhombuses on your floor.
Parquet is a product that has roots in the 17th century of France when it was a popular alternative to marble floors or stone in castles and chateaux that were truly, luxurious. As it is made of wood, it’s light and therefore popular for decorative flooring for upper floors. This lighter design doesn’t put too much stress on the beams which support the flooring. Therefore, you’ll find the floors in bedrooms along with entryways or large drawing rooms.
Modern Parquet
Carpets are losing their place in the flooring market, as they can harbour dust etc that can trigger allergic reactions in more and more people today. As a decorative flooring product, the trend back to parquet wooden flooring is gaining great popularity, with several types of flooring to pick from.
- Parquet wood from the past. (Re-cycled from historic buildings)
- Mosaic Parquet (Finger tile parquet)
- Wood Block Parquet is made of solid wood elements.
- Panel floor parquet, pre-made into large decorative panels copied from the Palaces of Europe.
- Pre-finished Engineered Parquet.
Because of the modernization of production techniques and materials, this is also a lot more cost-effective. There are now wider choices, from traditional wooden blocks, as well as other hardwood options like bamboo. If you can create the appearance of geometric patterns using these blocks or tiles and be able to call it parquet.
If you’re not keen to build a floor made of parquet by hand, you could make use of prefabricated panels for parquet flooring which have wood-inspired designs on the tiles.
How Do You Lay Flooring Made Of Parquet?
It is often asked how easy it is to lay flooring made of parquet. You can lay the flooring yourself but we’ll tell you at the beginning that this isn’t for those who aren’t confident! When you’re three-quarters through the procedure and discovering that you’ve laid just a few tiles or blocks wrong can ruin your entire pattern as well as your entire day. The most important guideline is to begin by planning with care.
1. Planning
It is necessary to determine the dimensions and shapes of the space. The best way to do this is to draw your plan out on graph paper. Also, ensure you measure it at least twice in order to make sure that the measurements are 100 100% precise.
2. Design
The style you select and the dimension of the space will dictate the number of tiles or blocks you’ll require. Simple patterns using bigger tiles or blocks will require fewer tiles per m2, whereas an intricate design made with smaller blocks will need a greater number of individual pieces of the puzzle.
3. Remember
If you’re using wood that’s real it is necessary to take into account the contraction and expansion of the blocks when it is cold or hot conditions, as humidity as water vapour will affect all timber. Therefore correct expansion provisions must be made consistent with the geographical area in which your floor will be installed..
4. Make Sure You Have Your Subfloor Ready
Parquet or herringbone flooring can be installed on almost any surface, that is level, clean and dry, provided it is laid out in a proper manner, and that all the right provisions for expansion are provided for.
Parquet and or any wood floor may not be suitable for areas below grade and good sub-floor ventilation must be in place before installing any wood floor system. Check with local requirements before proceeding.
5. Making Preparations
Be sure that your blocks are allowed to have time to sit in the space to get used to it and “acclimatise”, prior to installation. This helps prevent warping and problems when you lay the blocks. Make sure that the blocks are laid correctly, and are well-bedded into the adhesive system. Blocks should be placed onto the adhesive bed, then slid slightly across the adhesive bed, to achieve “suction”. Remember, suction is half the science of “bonding”, to achieve excellent, and permanent results. Measure and mark a central “head” line across the floor before you begin by laying out the blocks, without the adhesive.
Start working outwards away from the centre line, making sure you are following the same pattern for every block. After you’re certain that you’ve completed a few rows that are dry laid (without adhesive), you’re able to return to fix them back into their correct position, on an adhesive bed..
6. Finishing
Let the glue dry, and then cure, for a minimum of 7 – 10 days, before commencing the sanding and finishing procedures. Sand and then use a proprietary band of “Wood Filler” to trowell fill the surface of the floor to “fill” any minor gaps prior to sealing it using a finish for wood that you prefer.
How Do You Clean Floors Made Of Parquet?
One of the main benefits of flooring made from parquet is that it’s extremely easy to take care of and clean. If you’ve utilized blocks of wood to make the floor you have, then regular cleaning and a quick wipe on the floor with an Electro-static Dust Control Mop, which is used completely dry. Spills can be easily cleaned with a well wrung out, “damp” mop which is enough for removing everyday debris. In order to bring the appeal of wood to the surface Regular polishing can assist in the protection of oil-finished floors.
