Interior design selection is both exciting and stressful. While planning the ideal interior design and putting that plan into action is incredibly satisfying, there are a few crucial choices to make that could cause you to have sleepless nights.
The choice of flooring is one of these essential features of a house. One of the critical duties of an interior designer is to decide on the sort of flooring. Before deciding on the flooring’s style, composition, and design, there are several alternatives to weigh.
Parquet flooring has substance, style, and long-term advantages for your house that are pretty practical. Here, we provide all the essential details regarding parquet floors, including advantages and disadvantages.
See also: Wooden flooring texture ideas in 2023
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Parquet flooring: Quick facts
| Application | Living room flooring, to cover a tile subfloor |
| Types | Brushed, Oiled and brushed, Lacquered and brushed, Natural oil, UV Oil, Lacquered |
| Styles | Solid wood, Engineered wood |
| Properties | Durable, absorbs noise |
Parquet flooring: What is it?
Wood flooring, known as parquet, is made by placing tiny wooden slats in predetermined patterns. These unique and recurring patterns cover the whole flooring surface.
Parquet wood flooring was initially put in piece by piece. This procedure may now accommodate the tile shapes of the parquet. These tiles are constructed from hardwood slats that have been joined with a backing substance.
These tiles may be nailed, stapled, or glued to the subfloor to create parquet flooring. Parquet flooring provides the ideal appearance, texture, and durability of a conventional hardwood floor since these strips are constructed of hardwood.
Parquet flooring: History
The word “parquet,” derived from the French word “parqueterie,” was first used in writing in the 1600s. Parquet was introduced in France in the 17th century as a substitute for marble slabs.
Since marble flooring was pricey and required a lot of upkeep, people sought a better alternative. Additionally, it called for frequent cleaning, which frequently harmed the wooden joints under the flooring. Thus, parquet proved to be a lifesaver. The Royal Chateau of Versailles also has parquet flooring.
In the 1960s, parquet replaced hardwood as the preferred flooring type in most American houses. Tiled parquet flooring was standard in living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens. All people continue to adore its geometric motifs.
Even when laminates and vinyl gained popularity, parquet remained among the most widely used floorings in many nations. Walnut, oak, maple, cherry, mahogany, and other exotic hardwoods are the primary materials used to make parquet today. You may select the type of wood and design based on the colour and quality you like.
Parquet flooring: Styles
There are many different types and finishes of parquet flooring. Firstly, you can choose between two varieties of parquet flooring for your house. They are sturdy and well-built.
- Solid pieces of fuel are used to create solid parquet floors. These come with all the advantages and disadvantages of a hardwood floor and have the texture and appearance of natural timber flooring.
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- Engineered wood parquet flooring is the alternative. A hardwood veneer is placed on top of many layers of wood to create this flooring. It is a more recent innovation that has reduced expenses and maintenance concerns.
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The final appearance and feel of solid and engineered parquet are similar. However, solid wood parquet flooring is anticipated to last longer.
Parquet flooring: Types
You might pick an unfinished parquet for your home if you want to do things traditionally. However, you face the danger of the floor becoming easily discoloured, which is a no-no for households with children or pets.
There are several styles and finishes available for modern parquet flooring. Among them are:
- Brushed
- Oiled and brushed
- Lacquered and brushed
- Natural oil
- UV Oil
- Lacquered
The floor design may be chosen from a variety of hues and patterns. Dark and light brown are the most popular choices, but you may also choose from various hues, including dark oak, grey, lighter tints and white-washed.
Engineered parquet flooring is simple to sand and refinish, allowing you to alter the floor’s appearance whenever you choose.
Parquet flooring: Pros and cons
| Aspect | Parquet flooring pros | Parquet flooring cons |
| Aesthetics | Aesthetic appeal, choice of patterns | Complex installation, difficult to refinish |
| Investment | Increases property value | Expensive to install, initial costs involved |
| Comfort | Offers comfortable underfoot | Less soft than carpet |
| Functionality | Ideal for high-traffic rooms | May not match all interior design themes |
| Maintenance | Easy to clean and maintain | Prone to moisture damage |
| Durability | Durable and long-lasting | Prone to scratches, requires maintenance |
Parquet flooring: Advantages
The look of parquet flooring is distinctive
The appeal of parquet flooring is unquestionably its look. Although they are popular, traditional vertical or horizontal wood planks are only sometimes dull. Parquet flooring can be the ideal design for you if you enjoy standing out from the crowd.
You have a lot of choices
You can see that there are several possibilities available when purchasing parquet flooring. Do you want to buy premade tiles or assemble them in a pattern? Would you like tile, natural wood, fake wood, or something different? Which pattern would you choose—herringbone, chevron, basketweave, or another? Your possibilities for parquet are virtually endless.
Premade parquet tiles encourage you to do-it-yourself
One of the simplest types of flooring to install is premade parquet tiles. Naturally, how tough it is to install depends on the specific material you are utilising. Therefore, before deciding to DIY, you might want to study if you have questions like “what is subflooring” or “how to remove old floors.”
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Parquet flooring: Disadvantages
Wood parquet flooring refinishing may be quite challenging
The plank orientation of wood parquet flooring may be the most difficult form to restore.
The notion here is that you might need help to refinish each piece in the same way (particularly if you are blending different wood flooring kinds), which only applies to solid and engineered wood floors. As a result, the task is far more time and labour-intensive than refinishing conventional hardwood.
Flooring made of solid wood is expensive and hard to find
Real hardwood parquet flooring will cost a lot of money. Purchasing parquet flooring can easily cost tens or even hundreds of thousands.
Additionally, installing it also costs a lot of money. Parquet flooring designs also require time and money to install. Additionally, a highly qualified specialist is needed for the installation. Even if doing it yourself might save you money, the intricacy of installation can put off the ordinary DIYer.
It may not be ideal for really active homes because it is a more expensive investment
If you have a bustling household and are considering parquet flooring as an investment, consider exploring elsewhere. Parquet installation is expensive, so if your children or pets destroy it, it might depreciate the value of your home when you sell it.
How to install parquet flooring?
Now that you know the benefits and drawbacks of picking a parquet floor for your house, you should make a few key considerations.
Make sure to give equal attention to both the aesthetic and practical components of your choosing so that your house may seem opulent and appealing while also accommodating your worries about durability and price.
Choose the proper colour
Now, you can assume that all wood floors are a variety of brown tones, which are almost the same colour. But there are several issues to consider. The appropriate tint and shade may significantly alter how a house looks.
Think about the size of the room, the quantity of natural light it receives, your tastes, and the lighting in the room. Darker floor colours are an option if your property is big and bright.
Light-coloured flooring is necessary for smaller, darker spaces to make them appear larger and cheerier. Make careful to coordinate your furniture selections with the colour of the flooring.
Determine which pattern looks the best
Wooden slats are arranged in certain patterns to make parquet flooring. The appearance and style of these designs can vary greatly. Make sure the design you select fits your sense of style and harmonises with the decor of your house.
To be more daring, you may even apply ornamental patterns. Do not be afraid to examine multiple samples to choose which one you like. Parquet flooring might have a consistent pattern throughout several rooms, or you can choose a different pattern for each.
Think about the design and the budget
The style of a space is influenced by its floor. Of course, the better flooring selections you have, the higher your budget may go. However, it does not follow that you cannot locate beautiful designs within your means.
Search for alternatives within your budget and pick the ideal combination of style, colour and quality. There are several types, finishes and pricing points for parquet. Choose wood veneer, chipboard, laminated wood, or engineered wood if solid wood floors are too expensive.
FAQs
Is a parquet really made out of wood?
Real wood may be used to create parquet flooring. However, almost anything else may also be used to make it.
Do parquet floors have a variety of patterns?
Yes. Simply put, the word parquet flooring refers to patterns. The term parquetry means surfaces with geometric patterns.
What is good about parquet flooring?
Parquet flooring is easy to maintain and is known for its durability. It is suitable for high-traffic areas, including living room and outdoor areas.
Why is it called parquet flooring?
Parquet word comes from the French word parquetry, which refers to small compartments. The flooring is designed by arranging wooden blocks into compartments or geometric patterns.
Which parquet flooring is best?
Parquet flooring from real wood, such as oak, is considered the best flooring option.
| Got any questions or point of view on our article? We would love to hear from you. Write to our Editor-in-Chief Jhumur Ghosh at [email protected] |
Harini is a content management professional with over 12 years of experience. She has contributed articles for various domains, including real estate, finance, health and travel insurance and e-governance. She has in-depth experience in writing well-researched articles on property trends, infrastructure, taxation, real estate projects and related topics. A Bachelor of Science with Honours in Physics, Harini prefers reading motivational books and keeping abreast of the latest developments in the real estate sector.
