For many years, parquets reigned supreme in Polish houses and apartments as the most popular type of wooden flooring. Currently, pre-finished floorboards are chosen more frequently. However, this does not change the fact that traditional parquet remains an interesting and attractive solution.
What characterizes parquet?
The term parquet refers to floors made of small wooden elements (staves). The width of parquet staves does not exceed 70mm, and the length is 500mm. In the case of floors made of larger elements, we speak of floorboards.
How much does parquet cost?
Just like with floorboards, the price of parquet depends on several factors. The most important ones are the parquet grade and the size of the stave. The higher the selection grade (without knots or discoloration), the higher the price; also, the larger the stave size, the higher the price. Therefore, the price range can be significant. Raw ash parquet costs from 100 PLN to 250 PLN net. And how much does oak parquet cost? In the case of oak, the price is higher by about 20-40 PLN/m2 depending on the manufacturer.
Which parquet to choose?
When deciding on the right parquet, it is worth considering several aspects. The most important is its appearance, which is primarily determined by the parquet grade. Therefore, it is best to see displays or photos of individual selection grades. You can read more about wood selection grades on our blog.
What parquet for underfloor heating?
Another important factor is the construction of the parquet. Traditional parquet, which offers the greatest possibilities for future renovation, is made of solid wood. However, in most cases, it cannot be used with underfloor heating. Therefore, for underfloor heating, it is best to choose engineered parquet.
Raw or pre-finished parquet?
In terms of surface finish, we distinguish two types of parquet: raw and pre-finished. After laying raw parquet, you should wait about 2 weeks, then perform sanding and cover the floor with oil-wax or lacquer. In the case of a pre-finished product (protected with lacquer or oil by the manufacturer), the installation process is much shorter. Once laid, the floor is immediately ready for use.
What wood should parquet be made of?
The most popular species from which parquet is made are ash and oak. Ash parquet is even harder than oak (4.0 on the Brinell scale, oak – 3.7), but on the other hand, it „works” more. In lower selection grades, it is also very diverse in color (light and dark staves), which many people might not like. Nevertheless, oak parquet is the most common. It provides high resistance to damage and is relatively easy to stain, allowing for almost any floor color.
Which skirtings fit parquet best?
Wooden or veneered skirtings in the same color are most often used for parquet. Such a combination makes the floor look uniform and consistent. However, there are no contraindications to using skirtings in a contrasting white color.
Which parquet lacquer to choose?
Parquet lacquers are divided into water-based (water-soluble) and solvent-based (chemical). Both types have their advantages, but we most often recommend water-based lacquers. They are produced on an acrylic or polyurethane base and contain significantly fewer solvents than chemical lacquers. Consequently, they do not emit such an unpleasant odor and are more ecological.
Although water-based lacquers are slightly less durable than chemical ones, it is a completely sufficient level of protection for residential interiors. Furthermore, water-soluble lacquers have a shorter drying time, meaning the floor will be ready for use sooner.
Regardless of the chosen grade and type of parquet, a wooden floor is a fairly expensive solution. Therefore, using cheaper materials for floor finishing is a tempting option. What are their pros and cons compared to parquet?
Parquet vs. Vinyl Planks: The biggest advantage of vinyl planks compared to parquet is their resistance to water and other liquids. Especially in the case of glued vinyl, we are talking about a waterproof product. However, a belief has emerged that it is an indestructible material, which is not true. Like parquet, such a floor can also be scratched.
Parquet vs. Laminate: Classic laminate panels are a budget-friendly solution. Choosing a higher abrasion class also guarantees good resistance to scratches and mechanical damage. A frequent downside, however, is the characteristic hollow sound when walking.
Compared to both types of panels, the greatest advantage of parquet is the pleasure of use. Wooden floors are warm regardless of the season and pleasant to the touch, which no other material provides. Besides, unlike panels, parquet can be renovated without replacing individual elements.
Parquet vs. Board: In this case, it is mainly a visual dilemma depending on taste. The type of wooden floor should also be matched to the visual concept. For more spacious rooms, larger boards will fit better, while for smaller apartments, you can confidently choose parquet.
