Parquet has been around since the 16th century when small blocks of wood were used to create geometric patterns. The style has come in and out of style over the years but is a firm favorite right now. There's a good reason it's stayed popular. It's hard to beat the look of a highly polished parquet floor.
The good news is that although this was originally a floor designed and installed by craftsmen, it is now possible to assemble the floor yourself. Of course, it is probably a better idea to have the floor installed by a professional like this parquet firm. However, if you want to try it yourself, the following tips will help.
Plan first
A parquet must have expansion gaps at the edge, as the wood expands and contracts when exposed to moisture and heat. To make sure the floor looks great, it's a good idea to add a skirting board after you've laid the floor. Part of the planning consists of determining the floor space and the required parquet floor. However, you also need to consider adding patterns to your floor and where to start. It is common to start in the middle of the room and broadcast to the edges. However, this means that you need to measure the space to find the center and set the orientation of the first block. It is worth taking your time about this. You might even want to draw on the subfloor.
preparation
The next step is to bring your hardwood floor into the room. You want to take them out of the packaging and put them in small piles in the room. They shouldn't be where you're going to start laying! Ideally, the wood should have good air circulation and if possible stay in the room for 2-3 weeks. This allows them to acclimatize after laying and limit movement. You also need to consider the subfloor. Parquet can be laid directly on concrete, dry screed, plywood and even on self-leveling compound. However, the surface must first be clean and dry.
Put down the blocks
Now that you've done all of the prep and you know exactly where each block is going, it's time to get them into position. Each block must be glued on. A rigid adhesive works best because there is minimal contact between the block and the floor. However, if you are using larger blocks, you may prefer a flexible adhesive that will allow a bit of leeway in attaching and contracting or expanding the wood. If you are using parquet blocks that have been used before, you must first clean them thoroughly. This will ensure that they will adhere properly to your floor.
completion
To achieve a perfect finish, you should take the time to lay the floor. If the floor is flawed, consider sanding the entire room with a random orbit sander. You can then use a water-based varnish or a hard wax oil. This will give the floor the shine it needs and protect it from spills and stains.
