Wood flooring has grown to be the norm in Colorado households. We love the rich look and the warm feel it gives to every room in the home.
But sometimes its good to step away from the norm, and give your house a unique look that’s all your own. If you don’t want to stray too far from wood, consider parquet flooring instead.
Parquet flooring is made up of wood pieces that are joined together to create a mosaic-like effect. Original parquet flooring was made from blocks of different wood. It was laid over tie bars in patterns and nailed into place. This type of flooring became very popular among the wealthy in the 1700s. It sometimes replaced a patterned marble floor, and it was useful because it did not trap moisture or encourage rotting joists.
Designing with parquet flooring
Parquet flooring is more than lying a few pieces of wood together. Instead, designers use geometric formations to create a truly beautiful floor. Popular parquet flooring patterns include basket, herringbone, chevron, and brick. The more you are willing to spend, the more intricate and original the design can be.
Parquet flooring can utilize one wood type, or can combine woods for an even deeper and richer design. Popular woods for solid parquet flooring include oak, walnut, cherry, and pine. Rare woods such as mahogany, ebony, and rosewood can also be used for very special floors. The style of wood determines the richness of color; therefore if you move into tropical hardwoods, you’re more likely to have rich and vibrant colors. But keep in mind that will add into the cost as well.
Most parquet flooring will use geometric designs with lines and angles. The use of curved shapes is known as marquetry. While curves can add an entirely new sense to a floor’s design, curves are more difficult, and therefore are not used on a regular basis. If you have something specific in mind, ask your flooring expert. They can achieve almost any look you are looking for.
Caring for parquet flooring
Luckily, parquet flooring is easy to maintain. The surface should be vacuumed and/or swept every other day. The floor should also be mopped at least once a week to pick up any other dirt that did not swept up. Never saturate parquet flooring with water or allow water to puddle on the floor – it is wood and will be damaged with extensive exposure to water.
Like hardwood flooring, parquet flooring is essentially low-maintenance. Yet after years of wear, it may need a little help now and then.
If your parquet flooring gets scratched, you should sand it down. Then, apply a generous coating of floor wax to repair it. For extensive damage, see an expert with knowledge of parquet flooring. Because parquet is pieced together, in some cases an expert can repair damage without an extensive overhaul to your flooring.
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