The French have a reputation for demonstrating sophistication, art, and elegance in practically every context, but have you ever considered the French influence when it comes to flooring?
“Parquet” flooring is derived from the French word “parqueterie,” which translates to small pieces of wood that are fitted together to form geometric shapes and patterns to create unique wood floor patterns. For centuries, carpenters would use small pieces of various kinds of wood, including mahogany, bamboo, cherry, lime, pine, maple, and oak, glue them together over cold floors to produce a warmer, more beautiful wooden surface that, if properly cared for, could stand the test of time.
Home design magazines are full of ideas about flooring, many prominently featuring distinctive parquet styles. More and more, homeowners are choosing wooden flooring over vinyl or tile for the aesthetic and investment values it offers, in terms of style and luxury.
However, before choosing parquet or any wooden flooring for your home, it is important to examine the benefits, as well as possible drawbacks.
Actual wood planks are more expensive, whereas engineered wood and laminate panels are less expensive.
Parquet flooring constructed using solid pieces of wood that are sanded, prepared, stained and laid in a variety of patterns, such as herringbone, chevron, lozenge, and a variety of mosaics, obviously, costs more. Yet, you can achieve the same magnificent, artistic results using the more affordable engineered wooden tiles made of layers of wood-types topped with hardwood to suit your individual tastes and design requirements.
Lock-together wooden panels or laminate are quite popular these days, but they only vary by color, wood grain types. To set yourself and your home apart from the norm, consider parquet for the characteristic expressive flair it adds to practically any room, but most frequently family rooms, bedrooms, and hallways for its warm feel.
Carpet and rugs are notorious for harboring dust mites, allergens, mold and mildew, especially if your family includes pets. A healthier, cleanlier option lies with wood flooring, including parquet styles.
Maintenance for parquet and wooden flooring are ultimately the same: regular sweeping and/or vacuuming, and damp-mopping are recommended. Stains are not an issue with wood or parquet floors because spills can easily be wiped away. Should your wooden parquet surface become scratched, an extra-fine grade of sandpaper can be used to eliminate the scratch, and liberal applications of floor wax will restore the area to its original condition. Just be sure to sand with the grain of the wood!
As with any wooden surface, moisture is a concern. It is important to monitor the humidity in your home and keep parquet floors dry to reduce the possibilities of stains and warping.
Do-it-yourselfers should refrain from installing a parquet floor without professional assistance, because the aesthetic design of the patterns can be challenging to align, and you run the risk of adhesive seepage which will cause stains to mar the overall appearance.
We have decades of experience installing parquet and hardwood flooring. Call us today for your FREE in-home consultation to determine if parquet is the way to go in your home: 303.963.9938.
