IN THIS POST
– Pros of Parquet Flooring
– Cons of Parquet Flooring
– Maintenance of Parquet Flooring
Hardwood flooring has always been a top choice among homeowners in Pakistan – and rightfully so. These floors look timeless, elegant and can make your home look rather luxurious. Not to mention, they add value to your home, helping you fetch a higher price at the time of resale. However, if you aren’t a fan of straight wooden planks in your home, you should consider giving parquet flooring a chance.
Parquet flooring essentially consists of small wooden pieces or tiles arranged in a repeating or mosaic-like pattern. This flooring material is available in different qualities, ranging from veneer-covered particleboard to actual hardwood cut in different shapes and sizes to form an intricate pattern.
When installed properly, parquet floors can be quite stunning. Apart from giving your home a warm and cosy appearance, their 3D appearance also adds a bit of depth and texture to your space.
This particular style of flooring once enjoyed immense popularity in western architecture, though it was slowly replaced by the traditional hardwood floors. However, just like linoleum floors, parquet flooring is also making a comeback.
One of the main reasons behind the growing popularity of this flooring style in Pakistan is its affordability. They are also soft and comfortable under foot, compared to marble and ceramic. On the flip side, owing to its busy design and dated look, parquet might not be everyone’s cup of tea.
If you are planning to redo your floors, we have compiled some prominent pros and cons of parquet flooring that will help you figure out if installing it is the right choice for your home.
Pros and Cons of Parquet Flooring
Here are some of the major advantages and disadvantages of installing parquet floors in homes.
Let’s discuss each of these pros and cons of parquet flooring in detail.
Pros of Parquet Flooring
Here are some of the reasons why you should consider installing parquet floors in your home.
Aesthetically Appealing
Parquet flooring tiles can be installed in a variety of designs and decorative patterns, adding to your home’s aesthetic appeal. It’s a unique flooring style that adds warmth to your décor and texture to your space. This multi-piece flooring can be installed in multiple ways to fit your home’s theme and colour palette.
Some of the most popular parquet flooring patterns include:
- Herringbone parquet (chic zigzag pattern)
- Square basket parquet flooring
- Checkered or cube parquet flooring
- Basketweave parquet flooring
- Mosaic parquet flooring
Basically, there are dozens of wooden parquet flooring designs for you to choose from.
Moreover, the colours of parquet flooring usually vary between shades of yellow and brown.
Durable
Durability and longer life-span are two of the main reasons why wood flooring in Pakistan has gotten so popular. Parquet is no different. Much like hardwood floors, parquet will also last you for decades to come – as long as you treat it with proper care.
Depending on the type and quality of wood, parquet floors can handle heavy foot traffic without showing any signs of wear and tear. Generally, they also fare well against pets and children. However, their lifespan and sturdiness vary with their installation, maintenance and of course, the quality of the material.
Low Maintenance
Parquet flooring is relatively low maintenance.
All you need to do is clean it regularly with a vacuum cleaner or sweep them with a soft broom. If you see any stains forming on the surface, opt for using mild cleaners instead of the abrasive chemical ones available in the market.
It is also important to seal and polish your parquet floors every 3 to 5 years in order to maintain their beauty and strength.
Budget-Friendly
Compared to traditional hardwood floors, the price of parquet flooring is relatively lower. This is because most parquet flooring tiles are made from reclaimed hardwood planks.
You can find out more about different types of wooden floorings and their rates in our detailed guide on the topic.
Easy to install
Installing parquet floors is also easier than installing traditional wooden flooring in Pakistan.
Unlike hardwood planks, which need to be nailed down, parquet tiles are usually glued to the subfloor with a urethane-based adhesive. This adhesive has a working time of about 60 minutes, which means you can easily arrange and install the tiles on the floor in whichever design or pattern that you prefer.
Wooden parquet tiles are usually thin enough to be cut with a jigsaw. In addition to that, these tiles always come unfinished. Therefore, you can simply refinish and seal them post-application.
Cons of Parquet Flooring
So, what are the some of the major problems people run into with parquet flooring?
Let’s find out.
Susceptible to Scratches
Just like hardwood, parquet floors are also susceptible to scratches and scuff marks.
Since this type of flooring is not easy to repair once damaged, it is recommended you use rugs and floor mats under heavy furniture to avoid scuff marks. Similarly, depending on the type of wood you’ve chosen, pointed heels and shoes with abrasive soles can also scratch the surface.
Not Resistant to Moisture
Installing parquet flooring in the kitchen, bathroom or basement is not a good idea as it does not hold up well against moisture and humidity. Much like other types of wooden flooring, parquet tiles are highly susceptible to damage from the damp or wet environment.
Therefore, you must make sure the floor is completely dry each time you clean it, otherwise, you’ll end up with damaged wooden tiles.
Fades in Sunlight
Exposure to harsh weather conditions, particularly sunlight, for extended periods of time, can cause parquet flooring to fade and discolour.
The easiest way to deal with this is to arrange your furniture and rugs in a way that the sunlight streaming in from the windows falls evenly on the floor. Moreover, sealing and polishing the parquet flooring in your home will also help retain its original sheen and hue.
Limited refinishing options
When it comes to refinishing parquet flooring, your options can be rather limited.
The thing is, in order to refinish a wooden floor, you first need to get rid of the old finish by sanding down the material. As you probably already know, the wood must always be sanded in the direction of its grain to prevent scratches. However, since parquet floors consist of multiple pieces of wood all arranged in a certain pattern, sanding them down individually can be a bit of a hassle. Not to mention, sanding down parquet tiles can be a long and painstaking process.
The same goes for reclaimed parquet flooring, which requires even more care and attention for refinishing.
Maintenance of Parquet Flooring
As mentioned above, maintaining parquet floors is not very difficult. In fact, if you care for them as you would care for any other type of hardwood floor, you won’t have to worry about splurging on a floor renovation project for the next few decades.
In order to make sure your floors always look bright and shiny, dry mop the surface with a microfiber or wool mop to get rid of any dust or debris that might later cause scratches. Another option is to use a vacuum cleaner with its brush attachment.
For wet spills, simply wiping the floor with a paper towel is usually enough. If you see a food stain forming on the parquet tiles, try cleaning it with a damp sponge before drying the surface with a clean lint-free cloth.
There are also quite a few mild chemical cleaners available in the market that you can use to clean the parquet floors in your home.
It is also important to mention that you must avoid waxing or steam mopping your parquet flooring, as excessive moisture can cause the material to swell and shrink.
Following these maintenance tips will ensure your floors look bright and lustrous forever.
So, what are your thoughts on installing parquet flooring in your home? Let us know your thoughts and comments by dropping a message on blog@zameen.com.
Meanwhile, if you are striving to adopt a sustainable lifestyle and would like your personal space to reflect that, here are some eco-friendly flooring options that you might find helpful. In addition to that, our guide on budget-friendly alternatives to wooden flooring might also interest you.
In case you have laminate floors in your house, don’t forget to check out our tips on how to repair scratches on laminate flooring.
For more information on different types of flooring materials in Pakistan, stay connected to Zameen Blog – your best source for all real estate-related matters. You can also subscribe to our newsletter on the right to receive daily updates about the latest trends in the property and construction industries.
