When thinking about remodeling, today’s families are looking for smarter and less expensive ways to beautify their living spaces. When it comes to flooring, the options are endless and can be one of the most expensive and overwhelming decisions in your remodel. While there are many options to choose from, such as carpet, tile, and even concrete, parquet flooring is another option that is sometimes overlooked. It is a durable product that is not difficult to install and can last for decades, making it a reasonable and beautiful upgrade to any room in the house, from the kitchen to the basement. Parquet flooring can be installed over concrete, as well as existing wood, laminate, or ceramic tile, making it an easy DIY project.
Parquet flooring dates back to 1684, when it replaced marble in Versailles, France. The marble floor used prior to this had to be constantly cleaned, and the water ran into the underlying floor supports, causing them to rot. The parquet, which stands out for its beauty and resistance, was also easier to clean, so its use spread quickly. Today, parquet floors come in solid parquet and parquet panels, using different types of wood such as oak, pine, mahogany and walnut. Solid parquet are wooden blocks glued in different patterns, the most recognizable is the herringbone pattern. It is typically 3/4 “to 5/8” thick and is glued, rather than nailed, as is traditionally done with hardwood floors. Parquet panels are hardwood veneers glued to less expensive wood, such as plywood. The sheet metal (also called a wear layer) can be 1/4 “thick to 1/16” thick and is glued installed using the tongue and groove joints.
The cost of parquet flooring is just one of its attractive features. There is parquet for all pockets and needs. It ranges from $ 0.99 per square foot to over $ 60.00 per square foot, depending on the type of parquet, whether solid or veneer, the woods chosen and the thickness of the wood. Solid parquet is more expensive, but can be sanded and refinished throughout the life of the floor, while sanding or refinishing parquet panels can reduce the finish to the cheaper wood underneath. Great care must be taken to avoid ruining the floor. Medallions are also available, and although they are usually quite expensive, they are beautiful works of art and there are no limits when it comes to design. The cost typically ranges from $ 1,300 to $ 3,500, depending on the size and types of wood used. The medallions use some of the most exotic woods, which greatly increases their cost. Caring for parquet floors is easy and usually only requires a damp mop to keep them looking their best.
Warranties for parquet floors vary. Some of the solid wood parquets come with lifetime coverage, while the less expensive panels can last up to 25 years, depending on the thickness of the veneers.
Just for fun, one of the most famous parquet floors began life in 1946 as the floor of the original Boston Arena, home of the Celtics. In 1952 it was transferred, completely intact, to the Boston Garden and was used there by the Celtics until 1995, when it made another trip to what was known as the Fleet Center, now known as the TD Garden. The floor was in use until 1999 when it was cut down and partially sold as a souvenir, as the Boston Garden was torn down in 1998. Today the Celtics play on a truly special parquet floor within the TD Garden that combines some of the old sections of the Original and new floor.
When choosing a new floor, parquet may be just what you need to finish that remodel beautifully.
