HOW TO INSTALL A PARQUET FLOOR

Once extremely popular in the homes of the very wealthy, parquet flooring is a classic style of floors that complements almost any style of home decor. It sadly experienced a lull during the 20th century as styles such as laminate, vinyl, and carpet flooring saw a boom in popularity. However, as people are on the lookout for flooring that is unique but will also last a lifetime, parquet flooring is back in style!

If you’re thinking of installing parquet floors in your home but don’t know where to begin, this is the ultimate guide on how to lay parquet flooring yourself.

What Is Parquet Flooring?

Parquet flooring, also called parquetry, is a type of decorative flooring that uses repetitive geometric designs to lay floorboards. Introduced in France during the 17th century, parquet patterns are often entirely geometric and angular with patterns ranging from complicated works of art, to more simple squares. Herringbone is one of the most popular types of parquet flooring and one of the easiest to lay yourself. Parquet floors are pretty long lasting and hardy with only minimal upkeep needed. If any boards come loose, they can be easily re-glued in place without needing to disturb the rest of the flooring. Although parquet flooring used to be made solely from solid wood blocks, there is now an increasing amount of demand for it to be made from engineered wood. Engineered parquet flooring consists of man-made panels which boast a stable core with a wooden outer layer that is immune to changes in both temperature and moisture, making it perfect for kitchens and bathrooms.

Can I Lay Parquet Flooring Myself?

Yes! Although a little trickier to install than straight floorboards, laying parquet flooring can be done in just a few days. Because of how complicated parquet can be to lay, professionals charge a hefty fee to install this style of floor. However, if you don’t mind spending the time and effort in laying it yourself, you can save yourself a pretty penny for an equally beautiful floor.

How Do You Prepare a Floor For Parquet Flooring?

There are a couple of steps you need to take to prepare the floors before you begin laying down your parquet pattern. First, you’ll need to make sure the floors are completely level. As parquet flooring is made up of smaller pieces put together like a puzzle, any change in the levelling of the floor will show, so make sure your floor is completely level before you begin. You can either use a levelling compound to do this yourself, or get a professional in to lay concrete or wooden floorboards. Next, you’ll want to put down the underlay. Underlays add a layer of cushions beneath the flooring, making it more comfortable to walk on, allowing the floor to flex rather than snap as you put pressure on it, and also absorb a lot of the noise of your footsteps. It also has an added benefit of extra insulation (although if you want really toasty toes you can put down underfloor heating). Underlay will also help to even out any discrepancies between the floor heights in different rooms if you so wish.

How To Install Parquet Floors

After choosing your wood, settling on a design, and making sure your floors are level and underlaid, you can finally begin installing your parquet floors. First, find the middle point of your room. This can either be the direct centre of the space, or it can be the centre of a feature such as a fireplace or bay window. No matter what this point is, this is the line from which all of your flooring will spread out from so make sure it’s centred and straight. Next, draw a straight line out from the centre point to each end of the room. Then you can begin gluing down your first line of flooring along that line. Use more glue than you think you need to really secure the planks down. Work your way out from your centre line, all the way up to the walls, making sure your chosen pattern is consistent throughout. Make your way out to the walls before working on any borders or finishing the edges. For placing borders, mark the border line in pencil and trim any boards down with a saw before laying the border pieces. If you’re going right up to the edge of the floor, you’ll need to make sure you measure and mark the correct angle to cut the boards before laying them in place. Remember: measure twice, cut once! Allow your new floors to fully dry before you replace the skirting boards or move onto staining, sanding, or waxing the floor to your desired finish. Now all you need to do is step back, admire your hard work and move your furniture in! Installing a parquet floor is an easy way to add some unique touches to your home. Even though it’s a little time consuming, the overall effect is beautiful and impressive and with the correct preparation, the results will last you and your family for a lifetime. For all of your parquet floor needs, Leaders has it all, from the ideal underlay to a wide range of flooring options to choose from.