Parquets

Parquet is one of the floor covering that is used the most in finishing works. Today, there are several effects resulting from the wood grain of a parquet. Oak, English oak and solid wood parquet are among the most favorite options for those who opt for a floor in wood. Such a solution is especially adopted for its aesthetic value and for the advantages it offers. In the first place, a parquet ensures a good thermal insulation, a certain level of sound absorbance and resistance to wear. Available in a wide array of essences and finishes, it suits classic, as well as modern style environments. Finally, parquet can be pre-calibrated (with laying, sanding and treatment in place) or pre-finished, to be laid directly to finish the floor. If appropriately laid and regularly maintained, wooden floors offer long durability and gain a special charm through time. Choosing the parquet type that best fits in with your style may look like a relatively simple task. However, it is worth remembering that it is not just about aesthetics. In fact, some woods have some characteristics that make them recommended for specific environments and not for others; in addition the choice also concerns numerous formats and thicknesses that are adequate for some laying techniques and not for others, the decision on what surface texture and finishes are more appropriate in context, or whether the parquet will be laid over a radiating heating system.

Different wood essences for the parquet

Parquet is a floor covering that is as suitable for the indoor as for the outdoor. Modern houses and offices as well, often plan to install a wooden floor already at the design phase. There are many reasons why a wooden covering should be chosen. Firstly, wood is able to confer a warm and cozy touch to the environment. Moreover, it is a solution with a powerful aesthetic impact and one of high quality. Parquet, as a matter of fact, not only adds the right elegance to surfaces, but walking bare foot on it feels like being in close touch with nature.
The essences of parquet, are split in classic and exotic. The parquet in solid wood is the traditional one, made of solid wood planks, no less than 12/13 mm thick; sizes can vary and range from longer and wider planks to smaller strips to create imaginative and elegant geometries. The laying of solid wood is very long, both because it must be done on a completely dry screed, and because the planks still need to undergo a whole series of procedures, to be done strictly after the laying. This guarantees high stability to the flooring, along with significantly enhancing the value of the environment in which it is installed. Pre-finished parquet is made up of several layers. Usually the upper layer, which is at most 5 mm thick, is made of noble wood, while for the lower layer a cheaper wood with better technical characteristics is chosen. In this way the parquet will be both beautiful to look at, but also resistant and long-lasting. Laying is also faster than with solid wood, because the finishing is already done on the individual planks. As far as laminate parquet is concerned, it must first of all be said that it is not a real parquet. In fact, it is composed of wood fibers covered with a printed paper that simulates real wood. The upper layer, called overlay, is instead made of a transparent film that protects the parquet from scratches and shocks, and makes it suitable for stores, offices, malls and all those places that are very busy but do not want to give up the beauty and elegance of a wooden floor. Industrial parquet is not a real parquet either. It is made from the waste of other wood processing, what results in it being utterly inexpensive. The strips, from 10 to 22 mm thick, can also be made of different types of wood, creating a unique and peculiar effect, much appreciated by the most avant-garde architects and interior designers of recent years.

Nothing like “just” a wooden floor: design parquets

Especially recommended in renovation works pre-finished parquet is already painted and ready to walk on. It does not require any laminating or varnishing, and this type of wooden floor is composed of planks which surface has already been finished during the production phase. Also known as multi-layer parquet, it differs by section from the traditional type. Each plank is made up of one or more supporting layers on the bottom, made of poor wood and a noble layer (the walking surface) in precious wood, already varnished with opaque or transparent matt lacquer, hardened with UV treatment, in order to guarantee high resistance to wear and tear; it is therefore ready for laying. If you do not want to rely on traditional gluing techniques and on the use of nails, floating parquet makes for a valid alternative. It is a guarantee of sound absorbance, it protects the flooring surface underneath and its laying is quick and simple. A very popular type of wooden flooring is decking. Stain resistant and antistatic, it is particularly suitable as a covering for outdoor areas, such as terraces, swimming pools, gardens and beaches. It can also be adapted to cover interiors surfaces of homes or buildings.

Essences and their resistance the perfect parquet for your furnishing style

Wooden grains characterize the covering which is why, when choosing a parquet, it is necessary to keep in mind the furnishing style, whether it is traditional or contemporary. As a matter of fact, for instance, wooden floors with evident grains give a rustic and natural effect to the surface and are therefore more suitable for a traditional furniture style. If, on the other hand, you opt for a modern style, it will be better to opt for a parquet floor with dense, uniform grains, which makes the floor look more versatile and up-to-date. Also keep in mind that the wood may oxidize and change color in contact with light: if oak, solid wood and walnut darken, teak parquet becomes lighter.

From the bathroom to the kitchen, parquet for each room of the house

In spite of wood floor being commonly considered extremely delicate, it is actually very durable. The only thing that can damage a parquet is stagnant water on the floor and this could be a problem for those who want to put a wooden floor in the bathroom. Hence the essence of the parquet strips that you choose makes the whole difference. Teak is more stable in contact with moisture while oak requires additional protective oil or wax treatment. In contact with moisture, this wood tends to form blackish spots. Apart from this, the choice can be based purely on personal taste. Taking into account the wood color helps to make it suitable to different environments. In the kitchen, for example, any type of parquet would be fine, as long as you do not neglect maintenance. Indeed, in lived-in environments like this it is advisable to pay more attention to the cleaning and care of the wooden floor.