What Is Parquet Flooring?

Wood

• Hardwoods from sustainable sources, such as oak, cherry, birch and Douglas fir, are available from a wide range of ethical companies that source and reclaim responsibly. Hardwoods wear well and each wood has its own particular grain and color that you can use to complement your interior decor. Parquetry from the 1930s to the mid-20th century could be mahogany, teak or other woods sourced from tropical forests, but these are now out of favor and are not readily available.

Patterns and Sizes

• Parquetry patterns include basket-weave, chevron and brick, as well as the traditional single or double herringbone, and the flooring has evolved from the single blocks to pre-manufactured units. Companies that supply parquet flooring also supply pre-designed patterns that you can adapt to your floor size requirements. Blocks are usually 1/2 to 3/4 inch in height, and can be machined to suit any width and length preferences.

Laying Blocks

• The website Parquet Parquet advises allowing the wood blocks to dry in the ambient temperature of the room before laying them, as doing so prevents any distortions or shifts that might require filling new gaps and repolishing. The most efficient method of laying is to start with one or two rows in the center of the room, building up the pattern slowly toward the walls. Blocks are not nailed but glued to the floor underneath.

Environmental Concerns

• Consumers can make choices about the source of wood, based on their concerns for the sustainability of tropical hardwoods. Given that wood stains and oils are available that mimic the color of endangered hardwoods, the consumer can make ethical decisions while at the same time installing parquetry that meets his aesthetic choices. This hasn't always been the case, and parquet flooring that has been in place for a generation or two may well be made of hardwoods that would now not be available.