What is Parquet Flooring? A Brief History and Different Types
Parquet flooring is a type of flooring that consists of small wooden slats fitted together to make a unique and repeating pattern. The origins of this flooring style can be traced back to ancient civilizations such as the Greeks and Romans. Such civilizations would use stone and wooden inlays in their designs.
Parquet flooring as known today was conceived in 16th century France. The name is derived from the French word ‘parqueterie’, meaning small enclosed spaces or compartments.
Throughout the centuries European architectural influence spread worldwide and the parquet style continued to evolve into its current form. Modern parquet features many different types of finishes and patterns. Easily installable tiles have become readily available as opposed to the traditional form of installation which required fastidious placement of every individual wooden piece.
While there are countless varieties of parquet patterns, here is a brief description of three popular modern day choices:
Herringbone: This classic design style popularized during the French renaissance is characterized by a V-shaped interlocking of wooden slats. These pieces are placed at a 90 degree angle to the next, providing a durable surface that adds depth and character to a room.
Chevron: Similar to the Herringbone design, this style of parquet flooring is made of wooden planks cut at an angle, typically between 45 and 60 degrees, to create a seamless V-shaped design.
Basketweave: The basketweave style gets its name from the fact that wooden slats are arranged in a square design resembling that of a woven basket. This design is popular in modern home design from its elegant look and dynamic texture.
Advantages of Parquet Flooring
Parquet flooring is known for its sophisticated and elegant appearance. The many different design patterns and choices when it comes to materials means that parquet flooring can easily be incorporated into almost any home and compliment a wide variety of interior decors.
Parquet flooring makes a great choice for living rooms, bedrooms or hallways as the materials used are usually durable and resistant to the wears and tears of daily living. Maintenance and cleaning is also relatively simple when compared to certain other alternatives.
Choosing the Right Design
When selecting the right kind of parquet flooring for your needs there are a few things to consider. Understanding the different options and processes associated with each style will help you to make an adequate decision.
First and foremost you will want to decide which kind of wood you will be using. Here are a few popular choices and a brief description of each:
Oak: A popular choice known for its durability and classic look. The fact that it comes in a variety of finishes and shades can help you to match an overall theme.
Maple: This species of wood has a soft grain and light color while also being highly durable and resistant.
Walnut: Boasting a luxurious and dark look, walnut is less dense than other woods such as oak which gives a softer feel underfoot.
Cherry: The warm and lush reddish appearance of cherry wood is unique in that it also darkens with age adding a hint of character to the room in which it appears. This wood is also quite resilient.
You will also need to choose between a few different finish options. Whether or not you choose to stain the wood will impact the final look. Adding a gloss or matte coat will reduce the noticeability of scratches and change the level of shine you want your floor to have.
The Installation Process
The exact skill level required to install a parquet floor varies depending on which pattern you decide to incorporate and which materials you will be utilizing.
While it may be possible to DIY a parquet flooring thanks to the advent of premade parquet tiles, it is typically recommended that someone with adequate experience does the job to ensure proper fitting and reduce the chance of gappy installation or other problems such as buckling.
There are five basic steps to installing a parquet floor, which are as follows:
Preparation: This includes removal of any old flooring if necessary, cleaning and repair of the subfloor, ensuring that everything is properly leveled, and drying any moisture that may exist.
Layout Planning: Here the installers will plan the pattern of the parquet flooring, ensuring an even and symmetrical appearance.
Cutting and Fitting: The tiles or wooden planks are carefully cut to perfection and fitted together to achieve the planned design. Precision and extreme attention to detail are necessary here, as every minor mistake will have an effect on the overall pattern and configuration.
Adhesive Application: The subfloor is treated with an adhesive to hold each piece in place. Failure to adhere each piece correctly can lead to a shortened lifespan of the floor.
Finishing Touches: The final step is to sand down any rough areas to provide a uniform surface as well as add any finishes and stains to the wood.
The Bottom Line
In summary, parquet floors are a timeless and beautiful option that can easily suite the needs of almost any space. If you are looking for a new floor in one of your existing rooms or are in the process of designing a new project, it’s hard to go wrong with this flooring option. While the process of installation may seem daunting, hiring a professional crew who knows exactly what they are doing will make everything a breeze.
