How to choose a parquet is a rather popular question, because the modern market offers a wide range. On what criteria should be paid attention, read below.
How to choose parquet
Parquet is offered by a wide variety of models. Therefore, choosing a floor covering can be very difficult. To facilitate the choice, you need to be guided by several criteria.
Wishing to choose aesthetic, high-quality and durable parquet, try to take into account several important factors, taking the final decision:
- grade of parquet;
- type of parquet;
- fabrication material;
- features a protective coating.
What is the difference between different types of parquet
Parquet is a floor covering made of natural wood. Its quality depends on the method of sawing logs, which determines the grade of the product.
The "Select" grade Radial is distinguished by the highest quality in comparison with other varieties. Appearance - dies, having a radial cut, in which the plane of the cut passes through the core of the trunk over the entire radius of the end. Wood fibers are parallel to each other. This sort excludes the presence of sapwood, knots, wormholes, color changes. Only marble( mineral deposits on the surface of the parquet) can be present - its share should not exceed 7%.
Sort of "Radial". Has the same characteristics as the "Select" grade. The share of marble can reach 60%.Other wood defects are not allowed.
Grade "Standard" Select. Parquet of mixed sawn. It is not allowed to have sapwood, knots, wormholes. There may be slight color changes.
Grade "Straight". Parquet of mixed cut. Characterized by significant color changes. Sapwood may be present up to 10%.Healthy knots( up to 5 mm) and embedded knots( up to 3 mm) are allowed.
Grade "Rustic" . Mixed cut type. Characterized by a wide range of colors. Knots and sapwood are allowed in any quantity. There may be cracks of shrinkage located on the back of the board. The depth of mechanical damage does not exceed 1.5 mm.
What are the types of parquet
There are several varieties of parquet coverings. Each of them has its own characteristics and characteristics.
- Piece of parquet. It is a homogeneous tree trunks, which are attached to each other by the type of spline-groove connection. On the reverse side, you can often see special grooves that serve to distribute the load evenly. They do not give the parquet crack and creak with the time of exploitation.
- Set of parquet. It consists of slats of hard wood that create a picture of an artistic parquet. Laying such a floor covering is better to trust the masters, able to create a wide variety of compositions. The front part of the laths is covered with special paper, which is removed after installation. The reverse side of the boards is often equipped with a special substrate.
- Parquet board. A cheaper option. It consists of several layers of wood. The lower layer is low-grade raw materials, the upper layer is made of hardwood. The parquet board is sold in full readiness for laying, it is already equipped with a substrate and varnished. Type of connection of the spike-groove. The coating can be stacked in several ways: "herringbone", "frieze", "deck".The advantages of a parquet board include the richness of the assortment, the low price of the material.
- Parquet boards. They differ in their design. Are boards or fiberboard glued on the upper decorative layer of hardwood. Shields are in the form of a square, are available in sizes 800x800 mm and 400x400 mm, are varnished and ready for installation immediately.
- Pronto parquet. Appeared in 2000, but managed to get high popularity. Has a multi-layer structure, where all elements are fastened by pressing and gluing. Of the valuable wood, only the front is performed. With a thickness of the parquet 10-14 mm, the thickness of the face layer is 4 mm. It differs with carefully deduced geometry, perfectly flat surface, simple mounting using the spike-groove technology. Available with or without varnish.
Parquet from different species of wood
Before choosing a parquet for your home, you need to determine what kind of wood your face layer should be made from. Several basic options are offered on the market.
Parquet from oak - photo
Parquet from oak. Durable and beautiful flooring. It is characterized by durability, resistance to different operating conditions, a variety of textures. Parquet from oak, which has lain a while in the water, has a unique color, which can range from brown-green to black.
Parquet from beech. It has high strength, resistance to aggressive environment. Easy to process. Golden shades allow creating an atmosphere of warmth and coziness in the room.
Ash parquet. Floor covering with multiband wood pattern. It has a yellowish color, looks beautiful and unusual. It is characterized by elasticity and strength, it can serve for a long time. It is easy to machine.
Fig.3. Maple parquet
Maple parquet. It is remembered by its chameleon property. Initially, the coating has a white color, but over time, the service takes on a honey color. Well in harmony with dark furniture.
Parquet from walnut. Has a beautiful relief pattern, a nice warm color. The material is easy to process, but in practice it is very durable and durable, not prone to mechanical damage, cracking.
Fig.4 Bamboo flooring
Bamboo parquet. Exceeds the strength characteristics of even an oak flooring. It does not absorb moisture, is resistant to mechanical damage, has a high index of wear resistance. Parquet from bamboo is not exacting to operating conditions. Confusion in this case can only high price of flooring.
How to cover a parquet - with varnish or oil
The need for a protective coating will arise in any case - if you buy a prepared parquet or open it with varnish or oil yourself. Each composition has its own distinctive features that will manifest itself during the operation of the floor covering.
Fig.5 Parquet varnish
Parquet varnish. It is considered the most common type of coating. Has a different texture: matte;semigloss;glossy. Well protects wood from moisture, mechanical damage, temperature changes, abrasion. Ideally applied to the surface in 5-7 layers. The varnished surface is not demanding in maintenance, it assumes only periodic use of polishes and other special means.
Fig.6 Oil coating
Oil coating. A relatively new type of parquet treatment. Oil helps to preserve the texture and color of the wood, maintaining its naturalness. The mixture does not create a continuous coating of the parquet, it penetrates into it at a depth of about 2 mm. Due to this, proper air exchange in the floor covering is provided, but its protection is reduced.
To prolong the life of a parquet covered with oil, this procedure should be repeated regularly, providing additional protection against moisture and temperature changes.
