Parquet flooring, which uses pieces of wood to create beautiful, symmetrical patterns, has been around for hundreds of years.
It was especially popular in the early part of the 20th century. If you’re not lucky enough to have original parquet, you can also have parquet flooring installed in your home, although this is one job that is probably best left to the professionals due to the intricacies of creating the patterns on a large scale.
Parquet is great for sitting rooms and living rooms, but because wooden floors are affected by humidity, parquet flooring is not suitable for bathrooms and kitchens. If you have pets, especially dogs, keep their claws clipped to prevent scratching. Direct sunlight will fade all types of flooring over time, so close curtains or blinds if you can on very sunny days.
Maintenance
Although it is very durable, parquet does require some degree of maintenance. If you’ve moved house and discovered you’re lucky enough to have parquet flooring underneath your fitted carpets, you might need to sand it down and reseal it. Always use specialist products and ask if in doubt. Most suppliers will be able to give you advice.
Once sealed, parquet floors won’t require lots of maintenance. Regular sweeping with a broom or vacuum will be enough to keep them clean. Choose a cleaning product designed for wooden floors, which are easily available on the high street or online, and remember to use as little water as possible. Don’t let the floor get too wet as this can damage it over time. If spills happen, clean them up immediately.
Repairs
Don’t panic if you find there are damaged sections as part of the appeal and practicality of parquet is that you can make repairs or replace individual pieces as and when you need to.
You can readily buy replacement pieces. A great place to look if you need parquet flooring in Ireland would be an architectural salvage yard such as http://www.wilsonsyard.com/products/wooden-flooring.html.
These yards often stock reclaimed flooring in addition to supplying new pieces. Salvaged pieces are available in many different sizes, types and colour of wood, so you should be able to find a good match. Staff at salvage yards will be more than happy to help you find what you need if you have any doubts.
