Choosing elements of a home interior is both fun and super stressful. While visualising a perfect interior scheme and working to build it is very rewarding, there are several important decisions to take which may make you lose sleep.
One of these crucial aspects of a home is its flooring choice. Settling on a type of flooring is one of the main tasks of an interior planner. There are several options to consider before finalising the style, material, and design of the floors.
If parquet flooring is on your radar, you’ve made a great choice. It has style, substance, and very functional long-term benefits for your home. Here we bring you all the fundamental information about parquet floors and their pros and cons.
What is Parquet Flooring?
Parquet is a type of wood flooring that is created by arranging small wooden slats in specific patterns. These patterns are distinct and repeated throughout the entire flooring area.
Originally, parquet wood flooring was installed one piece at a time. This process has now been updated to accommodate tile forms of parquet. These tiles are made of wooden slats bonded together by a backing material.
Parquet floors can be installed by nailing, stapling, or gluing these tiles to the subfloor. Since these strips are made of hardwood, parquet flooring gives you the perfect look, texture, and durability of a traditional hardwood floor.
History of Parquet Flooring
Well, if you are considering getting wood parquet flooring for your home, you might as well know some of its history. After all, who doesn’t like an origin story?
The word “parquet” comes from the French word “parqueterie,” and it is dated back to the 1600s as its first occurrence. In the 17th century France, parquet came as an alternative to marble slabs.
People were looking for a better option because marble floors were expensive and high-maintenance. It also required washing frequently, which often damaged the wooden joints underneath the flooring.
Parquet, thus, came as a saviour. There are parquet floors in the Royal Chateau of Versailles as well.
In the 1960s, parquet took over as the flooring of choice in most homes in the United States. Tiled parquet flooring was popular in kitchens, dining areas, and living rooms. Its geometric patterns are still loved by all.
And although the popularity of parquet dimmed with the emergence of laminates and vinyl, it is still one of the most popular options for flooring in many countries. In the present day, parquet is primarily made of walnut, oak, maple, cherry, mahogany, and other exotic hardwood materials.
You can choose a wood type and design based on the colour, and quality you want.
Types of Wooden Parquet Flooring
Parquet flooring comes in many different types and finishes. To start with, there are two types of parquet flooring that you can consider for your home. They are: solid and engineered.
- Solid parquet floors are made of solid pieces of tinder. These have the texture and look of original wooden flooring and come with all the benefits and disadvantages of a hardwood floor.
- The other type is engineered wood parquet floors. This flooring is made of layers of wood topped with a hardwood veneer. It is a more modern invention and is used for lower costs and maintenance worries.
Whether you choose solid or engineered parquet, you won’t be able to make out much of a difference in the final look and feel. However, solid wood parquet flooring is expected to be more durable in the long run.
Types of Modern Parquet Flooring Finishes
You can go the ordinary way and choose unfinished parquet for your home. But then you run the risk of the floor getting stained easily, which is a big no for families with kids or pets.
Modern parquet flooring comes in a variety of looks and finishes. Some of them are:
- Brushed
- Brushed and oiled
- Brushed and lacquered
- Lacquered
- Natural oil
- UV oil, etc.
You can also pick the floor design from different colours and patterns. The most common options are dark brown and light brown, but you can also go for other colours like dark oak, grey, lighter shades, and white-washed.
Engineered parquet floors are easy to sand and refinish, so you can change the overall look of the floor whenever you want.
Pros and Cons of Having Parquet Flooring in Your Home
Original hardwood parquet flooring has been around for ages, but there are more modern alternatives nowadays, with vinyl and parquet laminate flooring. If you’re opting for parquet, it’s best to choose parquet tiles for a unique and attractive look.
But before you make a decision, it is important to know the advantages and disadvantages of having parquet flooring in your home.
| Pros | Cons |
| It is available in many styles, both subtle and bold. | Pure hardwood parquet flooring is rare to get. |
| It looks great! | It can acquire scratch marks over time. |
| Parquet is very low maintenance. | Too much sunlight can damage the floor. |
| It is durable and long-lasting. | Moisture is its enemy. |
| You can choose from a variety of colours and patterns. | You need sealing and polishing for the floor to last longer. |
| It is easy to install and can be a DIY project as well. | Wood parquet flooring can be expensive. |
| It suits both traditional and modern homes. | It may look old-fashioned if you don’t choose the right style. |
| You can change up the style with refinishing. | It is not suitable for humid tropical climates. |
| It doesn’t need finishing or extra expenses if you don’t want. | It may have limited refinishing options in your budget. |
All said and done; there’s no denying that parquet floors are among the popular aspects of living room interior design. You just need to be careful and confident in the style you pick, and make sure it fits the rest of your interior scheme.
How to Take Care of a Parquet Floor
Your parquet floor needs a bit of tender love and care for it to last long and retain its shine and beauty. Here are a few things you can do to protect and maintain wood parquet floors in your home.
- Sweep it regularly and wipe it with a dry microfiber mop.
- If the floor gets wet, reduce the affected area by soaking the spill with paper towels and wiping with a damp washcloth.
- Give it a deep cleaning treatment about once a month with appropriate cleaning products.
- Don’t use waxes to polish your parquet floor.
- Try to keep it away from dust. An effective way to achieve this is to lay down carpets near entrances.
- Don’t walk on it too much with your outdoor shoes on.
- It is a good idea to have protectors on your furniture legs to avoid scratching.
- To prevent discolouration, try to stop direct sunlight coming through doors and windows from hitting the floor directly.
- Stay away from too much vacuuming.
- If your parquet floor loses its sheen after a long time, sand and varnish it for a smooth effect.
Things to Keep in Mind While Choosing Parquet Flooring
Now that you know the good and not-so-great sides of choosing a parquet floor for your home, you should also keep in mind a few important aspects, if you opt for parquet flooring.
Make sure you focus equally on the aesthetic and functional aspects of your choice, so that your home can look luxurious and attractive while also serving your budget and durability concerns.
Pick the Right Colour
Now, you might think that all wood floors have almost the same colour, which is different shades of brown. But there’s lots to think about here. The right colour and shade can make a real difference to the overall look of the house.
Consider factors like room lighting, size, personal preferences, and the amount of natural light coming into the space. If you live in a bright and spacious home, you can choose darker colours for the floor.
Smaller and darker rooms call for light-coloured flooring to make the space look brighter and more cheerful. Make sure you tie in your furniture choices with the floor colour as well.
Find Out Which Pattern Looks Best
Parquet floors have distinct patterns created by the arrangement of wooden slats. These patterns can be very different in look and style. Make sure you choose a pattern that reflects your personal style and compliments the home interior.
You can also install decorative patterns to go bolder. Don’t shy away from checking several samples to find out what you like best. You can have uniformly patterned parquet floors in multiple rooms, or pick a unique pattern for every space.
Consider Both Design and Budget
The floor of a room plays a huge factor in its style. Of course, the higher you can go on your budget, the better flooring options you will get. But that doesn’t mean you cannot find great designs in your budget.
Just look for options within your price range and choose the design, colour, and quality that fits best. Parquet is available in different materials, qualities, and price options. If solid wood floors are too costly, choose wood veneer and chipboard, laminated wood, or engineered wood.
Conclusion
Parquet floors come with their own set of pros and cons, but overall, they are a great choice to have in your home. As long as you are aware of how to maintain parquet flooring, there’s no reason you shouldn’t give it a try. If you’re confused about which design and quality to choose, our experts at HomeLane will help you out!
FAQs
Is parquet flooring a good idea?
Parquet flooring is definitely a good idea in most circumstances. Parquet floors are prettier and cosier than the majority of the other tiles, and they come with the goodness of wood flooring. They are also easy to maintain, stylish, and durable. However, people living in very humid climates might want to rethink parquet flooring as moisture ruins the floor.
Is parquet flooring high maintenance?
Parquet floors are relatively easier to maintain than many other flooring alternatives. Parquet flooring tiles can be preserved for a long time simply with regular cleaning.
All you need to do is sweep it, vacuum periodically, mop it with a soft broom, and prevent it from getting too wet. The only thing to consider is that it may need sanding, varnishing, and special polishing at times to make it look as good as new.
Is parquet flooring waterproof?
Parquetry flooring is typically made entirely of solid wood or other varieties of wood. Hence, it is not meant to be waterproof. On the contrary, it does not do too well in humid climates and in the presence of moisture.
Stagnant water, seepage, and frequent spillage may end up damaging the floor sooner than expected. In case too much exposure to water, parquet flooring will bulge out and puff.
How do you clean parquet floors?
It is fairly easy to clean parquet floors, but here’s what you should keep in mind.
- Use a mop with soft bristles to clean the floor regularly. The key is to not let dust accumulate on the floor surface.
- Use gentle vacuum cleaners.
- Use the bare minimum amount of water to mop the floor. Gently scrub the floor to prevent scratches.
- Use only appropriate cleaning products that are meant for parquet floors.
- You can make a DIY cleaner at home with water, vinegar, and a drop of essential oil to make the floor shine.
What is the best finish for parquet flooring?
There are a few oil and wax-based finishes that you can choose for parquet flooring. The most popular finish to a parquet floor is arguably the matt lacquer. A matt-finish floor looks natural, elegant, and classy. It is also resistant to scratches.
Matt lacquer resembles an oil or wax finish in some ways, but is much more resistant to damage. Thus, it is a great option for your wood parquet floor finish.
