Natural wood flooring is the first choice for many homeowners and for good reason. It is timeless, extremely versatile and one of the most sustainable and environmentally-friendly options on the market. In this article, we are going to focus on the installation of wood flooring from both a technical and aesthetic point of view.
Best options for laying parquet flooring
Parquet flooring can be installed glued down (using a bonding agent or adhesive) or floating (using a lock system, a tongue and groove system or a quick lock system).
Lock installation system for wooden floors
One of the main features of this easy-to-install system is the long-lasting secure locking mechanism, ensuring that no gaps appear between the boards during the floor’s lifetime. Pressure is exerted on the boards when fitted, locking them securely into place and preventing them from being wrongly aligned.
Traditional tongue and groove system for parquet flooring
An installation system where tongues and grooves along the edges of each board are used to fit them together. A little pressure must be exerted to slot the boards into place, they are then bonded with wood glue. Tools are needed to assemble them.
Quick lock installation system for wood flooring
One of the easiest, more secure installation systems on the market. Just angle the boards against the long side of the previously fitted one and press down gently. No tools are needed.
Which are the most common parquet flooring patterns?
Have a look below for helpful diagrams of different traditional parquet flooring patterns.
Straight pattern
This is the most common and well-known way to lay parquet flooring due to its simplicity and effectiveness. In this design, the boards are placed from wall to wall and side by side, and they’re all the same size and shape.
Diagonal pattern
This design is very similar to the straight pattern but with a fundamental difference: it is laid from corner to corner instead of covering from wall to wall.
Random pattern
This pattern combines boards of different widths and lengths and gives the impression of a larger room when it is installed parallel to the longest wall in the room.
Herringbone pattern
In this classic but on-trend design, the rectangular pieces are arranged in a staggered zigzag pattern, placing the end of each plank to the side of another.
Chevron pattern
In a Chevron pattern, the ends of the planks are cut at a 45 degree angle and fitted together to create a straight line where each piece meets the end of another.
Brick pattern
As its name suggests, brick pattern is supposed to look like traditional brickwork. In this design, boards are laid in a linear pattern with alternating horizontal and vertical squares.
In which areas of your home you can install natural wood flooring?
You can install wooden floors in any of your rooms. However, it’s best not to lay them in kitchen and bathrooms, as they can be damaged by moisture and water spills. In any case, the golden rule is to look after your parquet floor properly, always opening the windows for ventilation and cleaning it immediately and thoroughly when you notice you have a water spillage on your floor. Otherwise, the wood flooring will absorb the water through its pores causing warping, buckling and discolouring.
Should you hire a professional to install parquet flooring?
If you don’t have any experience with installing parquet flooring, we recommend you leaving the work to the professionals. You’ll save more money in the long run by having a professional installer rather than trying to do it yourself and making costly mistakes. Moreover, hiring an installer will take a lot less time than doing it on your own, leaving your project finished much sooner than expected.
