Finish Your Floors to Perfection With Parquet
Add value and gorgeous detail to your home with timeless and elegant parquet flooring in a classic design
I'm a Houzz Contributor, interior decorator (http://www.elementsofstyle.com.au) and associate member of the Design Institute of Australia, living and working in Melbourne, Australia. Our homes reflect how we see ourselves, so I strive to make each of my client's spaces balanced and harmonious for them.
I'm a Houzz Contributor, interior decorator (http://www.elementsofstyle.com.au)... More »
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Parquet flooring can bring beautiful timber floors up a notch with its incredible detailing. So many designs are now available, from the traditional basket or brick look to updated chevron and herringbone designs. Each beautiful and intricate design can add value and interest to your home.
Originally a French feature dating from 1684, parquet flooring is made from solid blocks of hardwoods, laid over tie bars in square, triangular or lozenge designs, then nailed in place. This style of flooring became popular with the wealthy, as it did not trap moisture and encourage rotting joists the way marble flooring did. Today this elegant design can add historic interest to modern, contemporary or traditional homes.
Originally a French feature dating from 1684, parquet flooring is made from solid blocks of hardwoods, laid over tie bars in square, triangular or lozenge designs, then nailed in place. This style of flooring became popular with the wealthy, as it did not trap moisture and encourage rotting joists the way marble flooring did. Today this elegant design can add historic interest to modern, contemporary or traditional homes.
by Hendel Homes
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Definitions. Purists use the word "parquetry" to refer to timber flooring or furniture with angular and geometric patterns, while "marquetry" refers to curved shapes. "Parquet" is the term used for flooring. These days any kind of woodblock floor pattern can be called "parquet flooring."
Shown: This classic basket-weave, panel parquet flooring is still is one of the most popular designs. In this sophisticated setting it grounds the room while harmonizing with the glazed French paneling.
Shown: This classic basket-weave, panel parquet flooring is still is one of the most popular designs. In this sophisticated setting it grounds the room while harmonizing with the glazed French paneling.
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| Choosing your timber. Shop around for your parquet flooring. Timber choice is just as important as design. Is the wood domestic or exotic? Is it engineered or solid? What is the overall thickness and length of the timber? Will the wear layer work for high-traffic areas? Is the timber finished in gloss, semigloss or wax? Choose the materials and finish you want before deciding on your design. The number-one issue when choosing your flooring is the wear layer. Every other detail is about personal choice. If you know you can repair and refinish your parquet flooring again and again, you'll have spent your money wisely. Shown: The brick pattern used in this parquet flooring instantly tells us this is 21st-century architecture. |
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Using engineered wood. If you decide to use engineered hardwood for your parquet floors, keep a few things in mind. The thickness of the floor can range from 10 to 20 millimeters total. Since the top layer is actual wood, it should be as thick as possible. When the top layer is thinner than .6 millimeters, it makes it very difficult to refinish after damage. Aim for the top layer of your veneer to be between 2 and 6 millimeters.
The layers under the veneer also matter. There can be three to 12 layers of plywood and unfinished wood, so ask for as many layers as your budget can handle for the best strength and durability.
Shown: The panel parquet flooring in this Scandinavian-inspired room has a lozenge (diamond) design done in a contemporary way.
The layers under the veneer also matter. There can be three to 12 layers of plywood and unfinished wood, so ask for as many layers as your budget can handle for the best strength and durability.
Shown: The panel parquet flooring in this Scandinavian-inspired room has a lozenge (diamond) design done in a contemporary way.
| Block versus panel. If you choose solid wood in a block or panel style for parquet flooring, it's worth looking into a company that does specialized installations. Panel parquet flooring uses preassembled squares in prearranged patterns; block parquet flooring has individual pieces of parquetry, precut in custom lengths and widths. In both techniques, each individual block or panel is glued and pinned to a plywood substrate onsite. The pieces are then sanded and finished with the desired lacquer. Shown: In a highly traditional setting, parquet flooring interspersed with tiles may help break up darker timbers. |
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| Finishing parquet flooring. The finish you choose requires careful thought. A film-forming product like varnish works great for high-traffic areas. Polyurethane varnishes in matte, satin or gloss finishes tend to be the most common — all need around two to three coats. Penetrating oils, like a hard wax finish, enhance the look and feel of natural wood and dry to a satin matte sheen. If your parquet flooring is made of unfinished solid wood, allow a minimum of 36 hours for the adhesive to cure before applying seals or waxes. Shown: Increasingly popular, this thoroughly modern chevron (also called a point de hongrie) design is simple but highly effective. |
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Gluing. The glues used for laying parquet flooring can vary in quality, so it's best to take advice from your installer. If parquet flooring is applied directly over a concrete slab, make sure to apply two coats of epoxy membrane so the wood doesn't buckle from moisture later on.
Both panel- and block-style parquetry pieces need to sit in the room for at least 72 hours before installation so the timber can adjust to the room temperature.
Shown: The different tones of this Brazilian walnut block parquet flooring pop in a herringbone pattern. The border defines separate spaces in the long hallway.
Both panel- and block-style parquetry pieces need to sit in the room for at least 72 hours before installation so the timber can adjust to the room temperature.
Shown: The different tones of this Brazilian walnut block parquet flooring pop in a herringbone pattern. The border defines separate spaces in the long hallway.
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| Laying out the design. When a parquet design is highly intricate, the main objective is to keep the parquet squares symmetrical with the walls. In this photo, the staircase serves as the focal point of the room, so the pieces needed to be lined up with the staircase rather than the walls. To help with this, a border was added to the periphery of the floor. Shown: The high-gloss varnish on this flooring makes for an extremely hard-wearing surface — great in an entrance hall that sees a lot of traffic. |
Comments
IDEE17 Great information and wonderful images. Engineered hardwood flooring is a modern technology that will conform better to fluctuating temperatures and humidity levels and ensure better stability. Provided of course that the flooring is precision manufactured like Gazzotti offers. Idee17 represents and distributes Gazzotti in North America. Gazzotti is Italy's leading flooring manufacturer and one of the world's very best. Truly 100% designed and manufactured in Italy! 
6 months ago · Like
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Nicole White Designs Inc Great info and photos. So happy to see those floors back in effect and looking so fab! 
6 months ago · Like
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lyvia We have old parquet flooring, a lot like the "designed to appeal" picture above. We are going to make changes, and add some darker edging, then move tiles to cover damage. It will be much easier than with planks. Who knew?
6 months ago · Like
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Jean Corey The gothic detailed wood trim in the 4th picture is absolutely amazing! Someone should do an idea book based around that picture!
6 months ago · Like
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babyb Every apartment I lived in DC had this flooring, you couldn't find one without it, and I grew to absolutely HATE it. Still do. But I have to admit those last 2 pictures are fabulous.
6 months ago · Like
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Lanie Brown So many buyers declare parquet flooring dated, and they are certainly entitled to their opinions and tastes. But I consider it classic.
6 months ago · Like
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fabulouslife thumbs up for the brazilian walnut!!!!
6 months ago · Like
catbussa We have beautiful engineered flooring through out our downstairs except for the kitchen and breakfast area which is ceramic tile. I can no longer get the same engineered flooring to replace the tiled area. Using wood tiles is my answer!! I can match tones of wood with the wood tiles and it will look great!! Thank you so much for the article! My problem is solved!!
6 months ago · Like
brianjess We have traditional parquet flooring, almost exactly like the one in the Designed to Appeal photo. It was here when we bought the house and my first reaction was "how fast can we get rid of this?" It looked really dated to me. I started working on other things and never got around to replacing it. Is this really back in style? Maybe I should keep it after all???
6 months ago · Like
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gillianne In general, I prefer the simple and straightforward quality of wood planks. I've loved details on some inlaid furniture, but for floors, I like tiles or plain wood. Parquet, however, is indeed a classic and can elevate neutral decor especially. If this piece makes readers reconsider the notion that parquet is dated and reevaluate its merits, brava.
6 months ago · Like
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A. Peltier Interiors herringbone floors make my heart melt!
6 months ago · Like
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honolulululu I just recently had my 35 year old parquet floors refinished and the wood looks beautiful. The wood is so thick, I was told I could easily have it refinished at least 2 more times. Originally it was stained much darker, but this time I chose to let the natural wood colors shine. I am so happy to hear parquet is coming back.....I have always loved it. 
6 months ago · Like
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bmccray Has anyone ever tried to paint a parquet floor? Mine are in pretty bad shape and I am looking for a drastic change. I have pine paneling on walls and with the wood parquet floor, there is just too much brown! I am concerned that if i paint the floor, I will see the parquet pattern show through the paint.
6 months ago · Like
honolulululu My parquet was pretty bad also. Deep scratches, faded by the sun near windows, dark in other places. After refinishing ....it came out beautiful. Maybe you should consider retaining the parquet. .....you can have it stained any color....even pale, almost white, and think about painting the pine walls.
6 months ago · Like
Melinda Mandell bmccray, paint the paneling on the walls instead! Leave the floors if they can be salvaged!
6 months ago · Like
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dbartley We had parquet flooring in our Arlington VA condo - it was so ugly and faded when we moved in, but we had it refinished and stained a beautiful dark brown. It came out wonderfully and when we sold the place we had several realtors tell us they "never knew parquet could look so beautiful."
6 months ago · Like
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2090457 I had my floors refinished when we bought our home, i did not like the red colour of the timber and tried to alter the colour by putting a walnut colour through the stain, it is a little better but not great, I just read the comment that you can make it pale, I wasa told you cannot change the colour, can someone shed some light?
6 months ago · Like
lctpdc Love the bleached herringbone; most of the others are too busy, but I would feel the same if they were lino or carpeting...
5 months ago · Like
Zaklady Drzewne Gajewski There is an important question before buying dark floor. Should it be matt or shiny? If matt I suggest engineered smoked oak if shiny I suggest laquered merbau... Quick parquet from Gajewski company.. 
4 months ago · Like
citizencain I absolutely adore herringbone parquetry - we're having it in French oak with a semi gloss finish in our home we're building. It's the main feature of our home. And yes, my heart races just thinking about it... 
5 weeks ago · Like
Ideabook published on Nov. 28, 2012.
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