What Is Parquet Flooring?

Parquet flooring has been around for centuries, gracing the floors of French Renaissance castles and grand European palaces. This distinctive flooring pattern made up of geometric shapes creates a visual masterpiece underfoot. 

While it exudes an undeniable elegance and charm, parquet flooring is far more than just a luxurious aesthetic choice. What is Parquet flooring?

This flooring option has unique construction qualities and installation requirements that set it apart from other hardwood flooring styles. From its composition to its versatility across design styles, parquet deserves a close look for those considering a hardwood floor upgrade. 

In this article, we will explore the origins of parquet, its defining characteristics, and what homeowners should know before committing to this timeless yet intricate flooring option.

Before diving into the history and details surrounding parquet floors, it’s important to establish a baseline understanding of what defines this particular style of hardwood flooring.

Source: shutterstock.com / Photo Contributor: Dariusz Jarzabek

What Is Parquet Flooring?

Parquet flooring is a style of wooden flooring crafted from small pieces of wood arranged in intricate patterns. It’s renowned for its durability and versatility, fitting well in various interior designs, from classic to modern. 

Parquet adds a touch of elegance and warmth to any space, making it a popular choice for homeowners and designers alike. Its unique patterns and textures offer a timeless appeal, transforming floors into works of art while providing long-lasting beauty and functionality.

What is parquet flooring made of?

Parquet flooring is made of precisely cut and arranged wooden tiles in geometric patterns. It’s durable, versatile, and has an elegant patterned aesthetic. Classic parquet patterns include herringbone and chevron designs. Contemporary styles use bold geometrics like basketweave. 

Custom designs with intricate motifs are also possible. Oak offers warmth and distinctive graining, maple has a light, bright look, and exotic woods like mahogany provide rich colors and unique grains. Whether classic or modern, parquet lends beauty and character.

Materials and construction

What type of wood is parquet flooring? Parquet flooring is made of either solid wood planks or engineered wood with a hardwood surface and composite core. Popular wood choices include durable oak with varied grains, bright maple, and luxurious walnut with rich tones. 

The visible wear layer uses solid hardwood for durability against scratches. Core layers underneath provide stability, using plywood or composites for engineered parquet. 

A moisture-resistant backing layer, often cork or foil laminate, completes the construction. The wood species and layered design allow the parquet to marry aesthetic appeal with functional performance. 

Engineered parquet offers enhanced dimensional stability and moisture resistance, while solid parquet provides an authentic hardwood feel throughout. Either option enables the creation of timeless, intricate parquet patterns.

Types of Parquet Flooring

Solid parquet flooring

Solid parquet is made from 100% solid hardwood blocks or strips that are precisely milled and arranged in patterns. The planks interlock via tongue-and-groove edges, creating a seamless, tightly fitted surface without requiring nails or glue. 

This solid construction provides an authentic hardwood feel underfoot that can be repeatedly refinished, making it ideal for purists seeking lasting value. However, solid wood is susceptible to expansion and contraction with moisture changes.

This necessitates climate control and may potentially limit installation in damp areas. Solid parquet offers undeniable authentic charm with its genuine hardwood construction. 

It can be sanded and refinished numerous times, allowing the floors to be refreshed while retaining the original wood character. This makes solid parquet a worthwhile investment that can last for generations with proper care.

Engineered parquet flooring

Engineered parquet flooring offers an alternative with enhanced dimensional stability and moisture resistance. It utilizes real hardwood veneer layers bonded atop composite wood base layers arranged in cross-directional patterns. 

The core layers can be made from materials like plywood, high-density fiberboard (HDF), or wood composites. This allows customization to achieve desired performance characteristics. The engineered core resists expansion and contraction, keeping floors flat with minimal gapping or peaking. 

The denser core also handles moisture exposure better, making engineered parquet suitable for installations in basements or over concrete slabs. This versatility allows for use in more environments compared to solid parquet.

Source: shutterstock.com / Photo Contributor: Ingo Bartussek

Prefinished parquet flooring

For maximum convenience, pre-finished parquet flooring is available in factory pre-assembled panels or tiles with the finish already applied. This eliminates the need for sanding or staining on-site, allowing for a quick and clean installation straight out of the box.

The pre-finished option is an effortless DIY-friendly project for home renovators without requiring specialty skills. Factory finishes typically have very low volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions. This ensures better indoor air quality compared to jobsite-applied finishes.

Installation Methods

The three main parquet installation methods are glue-down, nail-down, and floating. Glue-down adheres planks to the subfloor for a very solid installation, while nail-down secures planks to wood subfloors with angled nails. Floating planks connect via tongues-and-grooves over an underlayment.

For subfloor type, wood allows nail-down or floating, whereas concrete requires glue-down. Basements favor glue-down or engineered floating for moisture resistance. Glue-down is permanent, whereas floating allows replacement.

Floating suits heated floors best and glue-down needs very flat, clean subfloors, but floating has basic prep. Check local codes, as some prohibit floating installations. Weigh factors like subfloor, moisture, permanence needs, and skill level when selecting the installation method.

Maintenance and Care

Maintaining parquet flooring requires regular cleaning, proper protection, and periodic refinishing. 

• Frequent sweeping and vacuuming is crucial to remove scratching grit and buildup
• Use wood cleaners sparingly, avoiding harsh ammonia or bleach
• Lightly dampened microfiber mops minimize excess moisture while cleaning effectively
• Immediately wipe up any spills to prevent staining and warping
• Protect floors by placing felt pads under furniture legs and using entry mats to capture outdoor debris, moving mats periodically for even aging
• Controlling indoor humidity between 30-50% also helps prevent moisture damage
• Over time, refinishing becomes necessary to restore the parquet’s original luster; light recoats can temporarily renew finishes, but professional full refinishing will eventually be required for complete rejuvenation

Following these cleaning, protection, and refinishing practices preserves the parquet’s timeless beauty for years.

Considerations for Choosing Parquet Flooring

Selecting the ideal parquet flooring involves carefully considering several key factors:

Wood species

• Oak offers timeless elegance at a premium cost
• Maple provides a brighter look on a budget
• Exotic woods like mahogany lend luxury but are higher-end options

Installation method

The installation method depends on the subfloor type, anticipated traffic levels, and potential moisture exposure. The options include:

• Permanent glue-down, where planks are adhered to the subfloor for a very solid installation
• Replaceable floating, where planks connect via tongues-and-grooves over an underlayment
• Nail-down, where planks are secured to wood subfloors with angled nails

Source: shutterstock.com / Photo Contributor: Maleo

Durability and traffic

Regarding durability and traffic, extremely durable oak is the best choice for high-traffic areas. For lower usage areas, it’s recommended to reserve softer exotic woods.

Additional considerations

• Sound control and moisture barriers may be required in certain rooms
• Lifestyle needs (e.g., active families may prefer distressed, forgiving floors)
• Timeless styles like oak herringbone for resale vs. bold customs for long-term enjoyment
• Radiant heat limits options to engineered or floating floors to allow expansion

Weighing all these considerations ensures the perfect parquet flooring selection for your needs.

Conclusion

In this exploration, we have realized how parquet flooring stands as a timeless flooring option. In seeking to answer what is parquet flooring, we have unveiled its remarkable beauty, versatility, and durability. 

From its rich history to its modern-day applications, parquet flooring has proven to be a true masterpiece in interior design. We hope this article has deepened your appreciation for the artistry and craftsmanship behind these stunning floors.

Whether you’re drawn to classic herringbone or intricate Versailles patterns, parquet flooring offers a wide range of options to suit any style. As you consider your next flooring project, remember the enduring appeal and value that parquet flooring brings to any space.