At first glance, it may seem that choosing a parquet board is a simple task. You just need to decide on the material, pattern - and the issue is resolved. But, as practice shows, you will need basic knowledge about the properties of wood flooring. How to choose a parquet board correctly, which manufacturer to give preference to, what subtleties you should pay attention to - we will consider all these issues in this article.
Which is better to choose: laminate or parquet board
When you decide to make a major renovation, the question of flooring inevitably arises. What to choose - parquet board or laminate?
Laminate
This material is a multi-layer coating consisting of paper, cardboard, fibreboard, etc., the top layer is a special synthetic film. Usually this coating looks like ceramic tile, stone or wood pattern. A layer of melamine resin is applied over the film, which performs a protective function. Externally, the laminate is subject to constant changes in accordance with new trends. Today, matter is in great demand, imitating an array of boards, processed by various methods - from artificial aging to brushing, etc.
As the middle, carrier layer of the laminate, compacted fiberboard (fibreboard) or chipboard (chipboard) is used. This provides the material with rigidity, moisture resistance and strength.
The bottom layer of the laminate also performs the function of protection (against the penetration of moisture deep into the plate) and in some cases soundproofing. It is usually made of thin plastic or paper impregnated with resins. Often, a special moisture-repellent composition made on the basis of wax is used to process the edges of the laminate.
There is an opinion that laminate is a cheap replacement for parquet, which leaves dents and scratches easily. This is not true. Such material is durable and unpretentious in maintenance, unlike parquet, which has to be sanded, scraped and varnished. A high-quality laminate does not fade under the influence of sunlight, it does not shed, it does not sag. You will not spoil it even with a smoldering cigarette. And dirty stains are easily removed with acetone, paint thinner, as well as ordinary detergents.
Laminate has the following positive properties:
- resistance to ultraviolet radiation, mechanical stress, fire and moisture;
- a wide range of decor options;
- ease of installation due to "locking fasteners";
- long service life and low maintenance.
The disadvantages of laminate are:
- artificial base material;
- the need to use a soundproof substrate;
- electrostatic;
- low thermal conductivity.
Also, the laminate is distinguished by affordable prices, unlike parquet. The first option will cost you at least twice as much.
parquet board
Now consider a short list of the advantages and disadvantages of this material.
The advantages include:
- a successful combination of this material with any kind of interior;
- quick and easy laying of parquet boards due to the "lock" system;
- the material can be used during construction and repair;
- one-time varnishing;
- long service life (up to 25 years) with proper care.
The disadvantages of parquet are:
- intolerance to chemical and mechanical effects, changes in temperature and humidity;
- special care conditions: the parquet board should be wiped only with special detergents;
- long cycle procedure (about 3 weeks).
Based on the foregoing, it can be argued that the laminate is a more profitable option due to the inexpensive cost, a large collection of colors, ease of installation and high strength.
Nevertheless, all the advantages can fade against the background of the disadvantage that the laminate is an artificial material. Natural wood, on the contrary, retains its appearance over time, even despite the formation of scratches and dents. In addition, the parquet board perfectly retains heat, unlike the laminate. Careful attitude and timely cleaning will help you keep your wooden floor for many years.
Parquet or engineering board - what to choose
The engineering board is a two- or three-layer structure, the basis of which is moisture-resistant plywood. Due to the fact that its layers are glued, the wood fibers are in a mutually perpendicular direction, providing high geometric stability and durability of the floor covering.
The two-layer engineering board consists of:
- the top layer - lamellas made of wood with a thickness of about 4-5 mm. This difference from a parquet board ensures that more sanding is performed, while the performance of the floor is not lost. When considering surface treatment and protection, there is no perceptible difference between the two types of material. Oil impregnation, wear-resistant varnish and brushing are also used;
- moisture-resistant birch plywood, which is the base of a two-layer board and allows you to lay the floor in wet rooms.
A three-layer engineered board does not have a slatted layer. The composition of the product includes solid wood materials made from hardwood. The top layer of such a floor is, as a rule, a lamella. The second is perpendicular to the first.
To figure out which of the two coatings suits you best, check out the main differences between these products:
- due to the moisture-resistant plywood base, engineering boards do not lend themselves to deformation, which occurs due to changes in temperature and humidity. Stable floorboards can be laid under any conditions, taking into account the fact that their top layer is made of oak or other moisture-resistant species;
- unlike parquet, an engineered board can be used as flooring on a floor equipped with a built-in heating system;
- due to the increased thickness of the outer layer of the engineering coating, you can perform more grinding, thereby extending the life of the floor by several years;
- engineered boards can be used much longer than parquet flooring;
- the outer layer of precious wood of an engineered board can only be single-strip, that is, made of a solid lamella. And parquet flooring, in turn, can be found with two- and three-strip lamellas, which are glued together from parts of wood;
- the parquet board is recommended to be laid exclusively by the floating method. Otherwise, you run the risk of delamination of the product due to the high internal stress of the material. In turn, in order to lay engineering boards, you can use absolutely any method that will be determined only by the type of connecting lock;
- when you lay parquet flooring, it is necessary to observe the technological gap between it and the wall, as well as when you join it with other types of flooring. And you can lay engineering boards without the use of thresholds and other subtleties;
- parquet flooring can only be laid using the deck method. In turn, engineering boards can be laid using various methods - from squares, herringbones to a mixed method;
- parquet floor elements cannot be wide. The reason is that the material can be severely deformed under the influence of humidity and temperature changes. Fragments of engineering coating can be of any format (up to 45 centimeters);
- parquet board protects against noise much worse, unlike other types of coating.
Which parquet board is better to choose
This flooring is multi-layered. The outer level is made of very spectacular precious wood. It is only a plate of veneer. To protect a beautiful tree from damage, it is varnished or a special parquet oil is used.
In order for the coating not to deform under the influence of moisture and temperature changes, its inner layer is made of HDF boards (not the most common option) or boards (lamellas), which are made from inexpensive wood material. At the same time, this row, consisting of locks, is located perpendicular to the finishing veneer. And in order for the parquet flooring not to sag and acquire the necessary rigidity, a back layer is also added.
Before choosing a parquet board for an apartment, pay attention to the wood of the carrier layer. Conifers provide the necessary level of strength and stability. A certain part of the manufacturers produces parquet flooring with a carrier layer made of hevea, a southern woody material that is highly moisture resistant.
Today there is an opportunity to choose parquet boards made from a wide variety of wood materials. For example, you can give preference not to a European or American model, but to exotic options from Africa or Asia.
Nevertheless, it must be taken into account that each material is characterized by its own set of performance qualities, therefore, it differs not only in appearance, but also in its service life.
The most popular European wood - from beech and oak to maple, walnut and cherry. Slightly less known are such rare breeds as kempas, wenge and merbau. Nevertheless, it is necessary to understand the properties of these materials.
- Oak.
The hardness of this material surpasses any other breed. This property plays a key role in product life. Oak parquet flooring is practically indestructible, it is distinguished by a special stability of the material structure, in other words, the linear dimensions do not change under the influence of negative external factors. Oak will not crumble, it will not dry out and warp if environmental conditions change.
- Beech.
Due to harmonious and neutral shades, such a parquet board is often used to decorate children's rooms, but this material is by no means stable. Despite the popularity of the "smoky" decor - a special method of heat treatment of the product, which can significantly increase its strength, the recommended humidity level in a room with parquet flooring made of beech is up to 60%.
- Maple.
This material is characterized by strength and stability, as well as delicate cream shades.
- Cherry.
This parquet flooring features a rich color palette, including a variety of beautiful shades, from dark coffee to light pink. This flooring looks very beautiful, and the harmonious woody pattern is suitable for any room.
- Nut.
This tree species is no less valuable. Walnut coating is unpretentious in care, has a pronounced structure and a set of impeccable performance properties. The only point is that this material is not as durable as oak.
- Merbau.
Such an exotic breed has recently been in great demand. Merbau, originally from Indonesia, has a pleasant brown hue with golden streaks. Saturation with oils provides high moisture resistance and stability, immunity to the effects of such negative factors as mold, fungus and rot. The wood is very hard and difficult to work with.
- Wenge.
This parquet board is a dark, almost black wood from Africa. Differs in moisture resistance, durability, resistance to mechanical damages. This material is not afraid of temperature changes, heavy furniture and sharp hairpins.
- Kempas.
It is also an African material. It is characterized by a dense structure, rich orange flowers with a golden sheen and resistance to mechanical damage. The above advantages of the material contribute to an increase in demand. Kempas is almost impossible to scratch. The disadvantage of the material is the sensitivity to thermal changes.
Thus, we see that it is possible to find any floor covering, depending on taste preferences, the design of the room and material possibilities. Nevertheless, when buying a parquet board, special attention should be paid to the performance properties of a particular wood material.
What are the criteria for choosing a parquet board
Hardness is the main characteristic of wood. This property provides high wear resistance of the parquet board. An example of this property is oak. This material has the best wear resistance, so that the service life of the product can be very long.
Also, an equally important characteristic is stability, which allows the wood not to deform under the influence of temperature changes and moisture.
Due to this property, the board will not dry out and will not deteriorate under the influence of external factors. Otherwise, you will have to carefully care for the parquet and avoid temperature fluctuations in the room.
In order to determine which parquet board to choose for an apartment, check out the hardness and stability indicators of various wood species shown in the table:
When choosing a parquet board, check number of rows.
Products are one-, two-, three-layer and multilayer. In this case, you can focus on your own taste preferences, as well as the design features of the room.
If the outer layer consists of one strip, the plank is a single row (not divided into segments). Such material reflects the extraordinary beauty of the wood pattern, rich in color palette and structure. This product is ideal for deck laying.
1-strip board is able to visually expand the space, which is very beneficial for rooms that have a small area.
2-strip board consists of two lamellas fitted under each other. They are solid or consist of several segments. The structure of such a parquet board looks much more original than a single-strip plank.
3-strip board consists of three rows of lamellas, which, as a rule, are offset in length. This classic material has several options, such as braided, herringbone or deck pattern. Three-strip parquet is perfect for any room, regardless of its size.
Recently, multi-strip parquet board has been very popular. Its front layer is assembled from lamellas of small width, thanks to special processing, a rather original decorative surface is obtained, where traces of joints between the boards are not visible. The slats are selected taking into account the richness of color, so the beauty and wide range of shades of wood are best demonstrated.
It should also be noted that a multi-strip board is an interesting solution that allows you to transform the interior and make a bright accent. It is also important that dents that sooner or later occur during operation will not be noticeable. Due to the heterogeneity of the coating, scratches and other defects will be hidden.
Board selection is also a significant factor. Not every consumer knows that lamellas made from the same tree species, but using different types of selection, will not be similar to each other. When choosing a parquet board, attention is paid to such indicators as the pattern and color of the material, defects, and the method of sawing the trunk.
- Tangential sawing directed towards the annual rings, thereby forming a pattern on the surface of the board.
- Radial cut carried out parallel to the length of the tree trunk, so the fibers of the material are along the surface. With this method, a uniform shade and pattern is obtained, as well as the highest level of stability.
- Rustic saw cut perform at any angle, thus, a heterogeneous color and an original pattern are obtained.
There are three types of selection:
- Select is the highest quality type when the planks are made using a radial cut. So they achieve a clear, even and uniform pattern over the entire surface. Any defects are not allowed.
- Natur- a selection that combines radial and tangential cut strips. The covering from such parquet board differs in harmonious color transition and various pattern. Small knots are allowed.
- rustic- this type of selection does not take into account the sawing method, color and quality are important here. Such a parquet flooring is the brightest and “live”. Thanks to the knots and sapwood, the pattern acquires an original and unique character.
Natural parquet board is characterized by the highest level of moisture resistance and long service life, and rustic, in turn, is perfect for country-style design.
The advantage of a parquet board is also that the lamellas are already treated in advance with a special oil or varnish. What is better to use for this purpose?
varnish is a very common coating for wooden lamellas. It performs a protective function, preventing the penetration of moisture, pollution, and also increases the service life of the product. The material can be covered with 6-9 layers of varnish, depending on the properties of a certain brand of parquet. If you plan to use heavy furniture, then more coats should be applied to the finish.
The varnish is applied using the hot pressing method. Adhesion to the surface is enhanced by drying in air chambers, exposure to high temperatures and ultraviolet radiation, which hardens the parquet flooring and prevents spreading. Therefore, pay attention to the fact that the product has been subjected to such processing.
If environmental friendliness material is important to you, it is recommended to purchase a parquet board treated with a water-soluble acrylic based varnish. The main advantage of such a product is unpretentiousness in care. In order to preserve the appearance of the material, it is enough to polish it in a timely manner.
Butter is a relatively new type of parquet board processing, which has a number of advantages. And, first of all, it is a beautiful appearance of the material. The oil penetrates deep into the structure of the wood, highlighting its relief, thereby emphasizing the luxurious color palette of the breed, its special depth and clarity of the pattern. The parquet board acquires a soft appearance and shine.
The composition of the special oil for parquet treatment combines wax and resins. Thanks to this, a film is not formed and the wood species can “breathe” freely. Due to this type of processing, the material is not deformed under the influence of moisture. Moreover, the oil clogs the pores of the wood, so the dirt does not penetrate into the structure of the material. However, parquet treated in this way needs careful maintenance. At least three times a year, it should be wiped with a special compound. Parquet oil that has been treated with ultraviolet rays can be renewed less frequently.
It should be remembered that if you spoil the varnish in any way, you will have to completely change the parquet board. But if the product is covered with oil, you can restore a specific area of the floor.
As a rule, consumers do not attach particular importance to the snap-in method, although it is this characteristic that is responsible for the quality level of lamella fastening. The most popular in this case is Tarkett, which has developed a reliable mechanism for T-lock locks. Also, an excellent solution to this issue is offered by Uniclic, which is used by many well-known manufacturers of parquet flooring.
How to choose a parquet board by color
You can never predict in advance what shade your chosen parquet board will have, since it is photographed using various cameras, as well as under certain lighting conditions. In addition, the monitor of the electronic device also distorts the hues. And only a visit to the store will allow you to choose the desired color of the material.
Also, in order to choose the right parquet board in the store, it is recommended to first lay it out on the floor to check how it will look when the light from the windows falls on it.
A flooring made from the same type of wood species will have a natural texture, since it is not matched to the cut. Thus, one should not search for a beautiful parquet pattern by looking at products from various manufacturers.
But companies may differ in the grade of material. Usually they prefer the type of natures, characterized by some defects. This wood with large knots is used for dark-colored parquet boards, which will later be tinted. Higher quality raw materials are used for light coatings so that defects are not too obvious.
It is important to understand that the shades of wood from the same batch may vary slightly. Since even parquet boards made from the same trunk can still have a slightly different color scheme.
In particular, this difference is noticeable on a board made of mahogany. Toning can smooth out this defect. However, even after this procedure, the colors may differ slightly.
As a rule, separate strips are presented on the showcase or a composition is assembled from them. The first option makes it possible to comprehensively consider the material, evaluating the technical properties. The shield will allow you to determine the joint and how the colors of the separate dies will be combined. Just keep in mind that the showcase does not contain low-quality material and boards with visible defects.
Therefore, in order to decide on the manufacturer of parquet boards, you should look at several different samples. Only in this way you can truly objectively evaluate the quality characteristics of the goods of a particular company. All samples are characterized by the same technological line, therefore, the shortcomings will manifest themselves one way or another.
Proper drying of wood is essential. This process takes a lot of time. Cheap parquet material is often not completely dry, because manufacturers do not follow all the recommendations and are often in a hurry.
A professional by the characteristic sound is able to determine whether the parquet board is dry enough. But an ordinary person does not have such skills. Then how can you determine that the parquet board is made of raw material? Let's take a look at some tips to help you figure it out:
- The three-strip board has a flat and smooth surface where the lamellas do not protrude. The only exception is wood, which is characterized by good absorbency. These options include jatoba, birch, cherry, maple and beech. For all manufacturers, lamella height differences are acceptable. While for oak and other stable wood material this is already a marriage.
- The three-strip parquet board is characterized by inconspicuous and beautiful joints between the lamellae. The absence of a chamfer in a one-strip parquet flooring indicates the high quality of the brand.
- Please note: in order for the lacquer to be intact, there should be no chips between the lamellae. Otherwise, this indicates the dampness of the material. This defect is especially manifested on a parquet board of a dark shade.
- If the dark parquet has light stains, this indicates that the surface was not primed and the varnish was applied immediately. Such a coating will certainly crack over time as the wood contracts and expands.
- To choose the right parquet board for an apartment, pay attention to its inner layer. Best of all, when it is made of identical bars, which were sawn using a radial method. There must be a certain space between the dies to prevent the expansion of the wood material during the hot period. A small number of knots is allowed, since this does not affect the quality of the parquet.
- Make sure that the gap between the bars on the inner layer and the joint between the upper lamellas do not match. As a rule, it is this defect that is found on the parquet of cheap brands. For products of medium and high class, this is unacceptable.
- The veneer layer on the inside of the parquet board must be intact and made of birch or pine. It's okay if you find the remains of small knots. The wrong side of Chinese products is made of hevea, which is not typical for European products. Such veneer is distinguished by the absence of knots, and its outer side is slightly fleecy.
- In the cheapest type of parquet board, the inner side is assembled from separate parts. As a rule, plywood waste is used for this purpose. This, in turn, negatively affects stability. But this option is no worse than other budget products. A decrease in value always entails the appearance of certain defects.
- The width of the finishing layer plays an important role. It is better to measure it yourself (the norm is 4 mm). Often, instead, the thickness of the product can be both 3 and 2.5 mm. This does not directly affect stability, however, this is a fraud on the part of manufacturers.
- Before buying, smell the parquet flooring. You should not feel any foreign odors, only wood. If you feel some kind of "synthetics", you should be wary, because the chemistry present in the composition can be harmful to health. But a slight smell of burnt wood in dark parquet is quite normal, after a while it will evaporate.
- If you find that the material is slightly bent, be aware that this is not a defect. The slats, when they are taken out of the packaging, can absorb moisture from the air. Even an expensive parquet board can bend slightly. Although properly drying wood should not be warped.
Which substrate to choose under the parquet board
The most popular among floor coverings is parquet board. It lends itself to fast and high-quality installation, and also allows you to get a reliable, durable and amazing floor. The most important thing is to correctly choose the parquet board and the substrate. You will also need to follow the rules of laying.
The underlay for parquet flooring is designed to perform the following functions:
- unhindered movement of the parquet board on the base. This, in turn, ensures an even distribution of the load exerted on the material;
- providing the required level of sound insulation. It extinguishes noise vibrations (various shocks, vibration of household appliances, etc.).
The backing also helps smooth out flaws in the base. In the process of laying parquet boards on concrete, the materials usually release water vapor, which has a negative effect on the condition of the wood species.
In this case, lay an auxiliary layer of polyethylene film under the substrate. So you can neutralize this effect. In addition, the substrate itself has vapor barrier properties. Additionally, you can glue the seams with construction tape.
Today on the market there are substrates made of:
- traffic jams;
- polyethylene foam;
- polypropylene foam.
There are also options for Tuplex and Parkolag substrates.
Each of the above options has its own advantages and disadvantages.
Consider the features of all types of substrates:
Cork backing
It is the only environmentally friendly product. Cork is a traditional material for the manufacture of a substrate for a parquet board. She is the best option out of all.
Its advantages include:
- noise, heat and sound insulation qualities;
- environmental friendliness of the product.
Flaws:
- moisture absorption, which contributes to the swelling of the material.
When choosing a cork backing, pay special attention to its thickness, which should be 2 mm. If it is a little thinner, the material will crumble, which will negatively affect the interlocking of the parquet flooring.
The cork underlay must not be laid directly on the fresh screed. First you need to lay a vapor barrier. There is a substrate with already glued polyethylene or rubber. Such material is much more expensive.
PE foam backing
Such material is the most accessible and inexpensive.
The advantages of a polyethylene foam substrate include:
- closed porous structure of the material, due to which it does not absorb and does not pass moisture;
- excellent heat, sound and noise insulation properties;
- resistance of the material to decay and exposure to various solvents.
The disadvantages of this material are
- synthetic origin;
- lack of resistance to fire;
- loss of operational properties and shrinkage over time.
Polyethylene foam substrate is made in different thicknesses. For a parquet board, this value should be 2 mm.
Polypropylene foam backing
This material is toxic and flammable. It is not recommended for use in living rooms. The polypropylene foam backing is similar to polyethylene. But the differences are that polypropylene is a flammable and toxic material.
It is also short-lived, its service life reaches only 10 years. After that, the substrate resembles dust. This material has the lowest price, however, this is far from the most suitable option for a residential apartment.
park camp
This substrate has excellent performance, yet it releases toxins when heated. For the manufacture of this material, bituminous mastic is used.
Parking benefits include:
- Disadvantages: excellent noise, heat and moisture insulation;
- affordable cost.
Flaws:
- high toxicity of bitumen, formaldehyde is released at elevated temperatures. That is why this material is banned in many countries.
duplex
It is a universal multilayer substrate with optimal properties. This option can be called ideal.
Tuplex is an artificial material consisting of 3 layers, each of which performs its role:
- the bottom layer is a porous film. It fastens the middle row and lets moisture in;
- the second layer is represented by small balls, the gaps between which provide ventilation. It protects the material from deformation;
- the third layer is an ordinary polyethylene film, which performs the function of a vapor barrier.
This underlay is a great solution for any foundation. It is laid directly on concrete. Don't worry about high humidity levels. Thanks to the air gap in the middle of the substrate, moisture is freely removed and evaporates through the expansion gaps between the parquet board and the wall. Tuplex costs about the same as cork.
Of all the above materials, Tuplex and cork are the most optimal. The first option can be used for any basis. Cork, in turn, is environmentally friendly. Most experts believe that Tuplex is the safest and most durable material. However, each customer chooses the substrate based on their own preferences.
A parquet board is usually called one of the elements of a special type of flooring. In general, this element of the flooring is a 2 m long plate, its width and thickness depends on the type of parquet board. Depending on the brand of the board and the manufacturer, all sizes may vary. Created and patented by the Swedish company "Gustav Chers" in the middle of the last century, the parquet board was able to successfully replace the piece parquet.
Initially, the board consisted of two layers and had some design flaws, which led to its further development. A modern parquet board has three layers, each of them is perpendicular to the previous one, which allows to provide structural rigidity. The top layer is made from a piece of precious wood. The middle layer consists of stacked wooden slats made from softwood. The bottom layer of the board is homogeneous, usually it is made of spruce plywood. The layers are glued to each other quite firmly.
Areas of application for parquet boards
Since parquet board is a modern high-tech finishing material, it is widely used in housing construction. But it is worth noting that the scope of its application is not limited to houses and apartments. Floors of large conference rooms, offices, reception rooms are covered with parquet board. It is used, for example, even for the construction of gym flooring, which best characterizes the strength of this material.
The parquet board is very often used as a floor covering when creating interiors in different styles. Sometimes a parquet board made of precious woods turns out to be the most stylish component of an interior. In many ways, this is facilitated by beautiful saturated colors of the material. The golden, warm color of wood helps to create a real atmosphere of comfort and coziness in the room.
Varieties of parquet board
Manufacturers of parquet boards produce a variety of types of this floor covering. Parquet boards of different types may differ in size, type of wood from which the top layer is made, the number of planks in one board and the number of layers.
The top layer of the board can be made from wood of different types of wood, often these are valuable species. In the production of boards, wood is used, as well-known to many trees, for example, oak or ash as well as exotic ones. Each type of wood has a number of characteristic features, in particular, color, pattern and hardness. Modern methods of wood processing can give the tree a variety of colors and shades. For example, steaming you can make the color of the wood more juicy.
The parquet board can also be different in terms of the number of stripes on the top layer. You can find single-strip, two-strip, three-strip and even four-strip parquet boards. A single-strip board looks very similar to massive board. The cost of flooring depends on the number of strips, the less there are, the more expensive the parquet board is.
Parquet boards can be different according to the number of layers. Based on this, the board can be massive, two-layer and three-layer. For a board consisting of several layers, precious wood is used only for the manufacture of the top layer, the creation of the remaining layers is coniferous wood. Due to this, it is possible to reduce the cost of the material.
In addition to these differences, parquet boards can have different thicknesses and strengths of the top layer. Yes, thickness may vary. from 0.6 mm to 6 mm. It is worth noting that a sufficiently thick top layer simplifies the restoration of the floor, allowing for polishing, which is very important for its durability.
The cost of a parquet board largely depends on the value and thickness of the wood of the top layer, as well as on the popularity of the manufacturer. Today, the price of this finishing floor covering can vary from $60 to $110 per sq. m. A more expensive parquet board with a top layer of exotic woods. A single-strip parquet board can cost several times more than a three-strip board with narrow lamellas.
Features of the parquet board, its pros and cons
One of the features of the parquet board can be considered complete readiness of the material for laying, requiring no further finishing. This means that, unlike stacked parquet, the floor surface after the parquet boards are laid does not need to be sanded, sanded or puttyed. All necessary operations were carried out in the production of parquet boards.
Pros and cons of parquet board
How good parquet board:
- this flooring can be safely called natural material, which has all the advantages of wood in terms of environmental friendliness;
- identical in appearance to type-setting parquet, the board is much faster and easier to install thanks to the lock connection;
- she has a high score sound absorption;
- the available design features practically exclude the risk of deformation of the board after its laying;
- board surface pleasant to the touch;
- The advantage of a parquet board is also its inability to accumulate static electricity.
But it is worth saying that the parquet board has its own minuses:
- this finishing material requires careful handling it must be protected from thermal and chemical influences and, of course, from moisture;
- coating does not handle loads well, especially mechanical ones, since the veneer used to cover the surface and create a pattern is very thin, it can be scratched even from sharp heels;
- it can be problematic to restore a parquet board;
- the surface of the coating looks somewhat monotonously, with the help of planks directed in one direction, laying out, say, the original ornament will not work, often the parquet board is laid with the so-called “deck” flooring, and diagonal laying will require a lot of time and cost.
Options for laying parquet boards
In most cases, parquet boards are laid along or across the room. At the same time, the rule that prescribes to lay parquet boards along the direction of natural light distribution is always observed. This allows you to do inconspicuous connection points coverage elements.
Looks more impressive parquet board, laid diagonally. This type of board laying visually expands the room. But it is worth noting that the consumption of material with such styling increases markedly, and it is quite difficult to do it correctly.
Any type of board laying can be done in two ways: adhesive and floating. When laying boards with glue, they are glued to the floor. Today, this method of laying is used very rarely. Often, parquet boards are laid in a floating way, as this simplifies and speeds up the installation process. When manufacturing, a spike and a groove are cut in the middle layer of the board. In the process of laying, the joints of the boards are glued, and the planks are knocked out.
In addition, boards when laying in a floating way can be interconnected using corner lock. Since parquet boards already varnished are profiled at the factory, the floor surface looks like a single whole after installation. Even when laying against the light, the joints of the boards remain invisible. One of the advantages of this laying method is that if in the future it becomes necessary to replace damaged boards, it is possible to dismantle the floor. With a parquet board thickness of 1.4 cm, experts recommend that it be laid only in a floating way.
Rules for laying parquet boards (video)
Repairing a home is always a difficult and time-consuming task. Particular difficulties often arise at the stage of choosing a floor covering, because. the modern construction market offers us many different materials, each of which has unique advantages, as well as disadvantages. Interestingly, among the abundance of innovative coatings, the parquet board does not lose its popularity, although it was created back in the early 40s.
Let's take a look at the "Dream House" together with what are the advantages of this finishing material, and what characteristics it has.
Design and technical features of the parquet board
Massive wood floors have always been considered a sign of luxury and good taste. However, such positive qualities of wood as environmental friendliness and a presentable appearance are crossed out by the rather low density of this material.
As you know, wood flooring, even if created from the best breeds, deforms quite quickly, lends itself to mechanical and thermal effects. Wanting to find a compromise between quality and beauty, craftsmen from Sweden developed and patented a new type of flooring in 1941, which was called "multilayer parquet board". This product differed from standard parquet in higher density and better performance.
Floor covering parquet board photo
Initially, the method of parquet board production involved the use of two wood layers in the construction. However, this product was later modified, with the result that the modern board is made of three or more layers. Thus, today the design of a parquet board most often consists of the following segments:
- upper layer. The parquet board covering is usually made from a cut of valuable wood (oak, ash, etc.), which is used in the production process. Thanks to the use of such an expensive material, the design of a floor decorated with a parquet board looks no less presentable than a real wood flooring. According to the rules, the thickness of the top layer of the product should be from 0.5 to 6 mm;
- middle layer. The “stuffing” of the board is either small wooden blocks or a thin board created from pressed wood, predominantly coniferous. This layer is responsible for the strength of the entire product, and also allows you to equip the boards with fastening grooves and locking elements;
- bottom layer. The base of the flooring is plywood, the thickness of which should not be less than 2 mm. Often, manufacturers use more valuable wood species to form the lower layer, but this increases the cost of the product several times.
How to choose a parquet board
Parquet board - pros and cons
In total, the width of the parquet board can be from 7 to 22 mm.
In addition to the method of manufacture and the use of various materials, a modern parquet board is also classified by the number of stripes on its front layer. It is customary to distinguish four fundamentally different board designs:
1. One-strip parquet board
The top layer of this type of flooring is created from a single piece of cloth. Thanks to this feature, the pattern of the wood used appears most clearly and naturally.
2. Two-strip parquet board
It is understood that the top layer of the board consists of two lamellas. In this case, the segments can be located both at the same level to each other, and be at different levels.
Here the surface of the product is divided into three segments of the same size, which are parallel to each other. As a result of mixing segments when laying a parquet board, they can be laid out in the form of various patterns - herringbone, braided, etc.
In this case, the top layer of material is divided into 4 segments, which gives the impression that the coating is laid out from many small blocks.
In addition, some manufacturers supplement their assortment with multi-strip parquet boards, the difference of which lies in the fact that a ready-made pattern is already applied to their surface.
Simplicity of parquet board laying technology
One of the main advantages of this flooring is its easy installation. Due to the presence of fasteners in the products, laying parquet boards does not require complex preliminary work. Most often, parquet boards are mounted to the floor using two technologies: floating and adhesive.
With floating laying, the boards are not glued to the floor, but are placed on the substrate and fastened to each other with the help of built-in fasteners and locks. Thanks to such an easy installation, you can cope with this task yourself, especially since all manufacturers attach detailed instructions to the material.
Laying parquet board technology
How to lay parquet board
With the adhesive installation method, parquet boards are glued to a pre-prepared base in the same way as it happens when laying a standard one. This installation requires a perfectly flat surface, so before carrying out work, you will have to sand the coating well.
The use of parquet boards in the interior
It seems to many that the design of the parquet board is rather monotonous and unremarkable. However, this opinion is erroneous, because modern production makes it possible to produce a coating with interesting decorative accents:
- firstly, there are several dozen shades of this material, so you can choose the perfect coating for your interior design;
- and, secondly, today on sale you can find boards whose surface has been subjected to additional processing. For example, oak parquet boards are often artificially "aged", which is why their design resembles a chic palace parquet. Also, the surface of the material can be sanded and whitened, so that the coating becomes even more colorful and textured.
How to choose a parquet board for an apartment
Parquet board photo in the interior
The pros and cons of which you should consider before purchasing, is a floor covering 2 m long. At the same time, the thickness and width may vary depending on the company and brand. In the middle of the last century, the parquet board successfully replaced the piece parquet.
Initially, this finish consisted of two layers and had design flaws. This was the reason for further improvement. today it has three layers at once, each located perpendicular to the previous one. This provides rigidity. The top layer is made from the middle layer - it is from softwood. The inner layer is made of spruce plywood.
Main advantages
Parquet board, the pros and cons of which will be discussed in the article, is used today as a floor covering quite often. This is due to the naturalness of the material, which has all the advantages of wood.
The coating is quite easy to install thanks to the locking connection, in addition, it has a high sound absorption coefficient. After laying, you can not be afraid of the risk of deformation, this is due to design features. The surface is quite pleasant to the touch, and an additional advantage is the lack of ability to accumulate static electricity.
Main cons
The parquet board, the pros and cons of which must be taken into account before purchasing, is quite popular today. However, it requires careful treatment, the material must be protected from chemical and thermal effects, as well as moisture. The coating does not cope well with mechanical loads. This is due to the fact that the veneer used in the production is quite thin, so scratches and dents remain on it.
A parquet board, the pros and cons of which is useful to read before purchasing a product, is rather difficult to restore. The surface can look monotonous, with the help of planks it is rather difficult to create an original ornament. As for diagonal styling, it requires time and effort.
Pros and cons of parquet board and laminate
If we compare these materials in terms of their ability to withstand shock loads, then laminate comes out on top. However, in this case we are talking about a material of a higher class. It is difficult to scratch it with a chair leg or damage it with a heel. Laminate is able to endure more impressive weight than parquet.
As for the ability to withstand humidity and temperature fluctuations, the parquet does not like dry air, it shrinks from this, and swells from humidity. Laminate coating perfectly tolerates both. Therefore, in winter, when the rooms are very dry, gaps appear between adjacent parquet boards. The laminate will not react in this way. This is his advantage.
Looking through the pros and cons of laminate and parquet boards, you should also pay attention to the appearance. According to this parameter, parquet wins. When a room is decorated in a classic style, then a parquet board is asked for in an interior of this type. If the apartment has a modern style, then it requires a laminate. It has a variety of colors, patterns, patterns and textures that can be selected for a specific design.
Parquet board dimensions
Quite rarely fit in the kitchen. The pros and cons of this material answer the question of why this happens. This is due to the fact that parquet does not cope well with moisture, and in the kitchen it is often necessary to carry out wet cleaning, in addition, it sometimes happens that drinks are spilled on the floor. However, this feature is not the only thing you need to know about the parquet board.
Often consumers are also interested in size. As for the length, it is usually 2 m. While the thickness of the parquet reaches 6 mm. The minimum setting is 0.5 mm. The most common option is the 4mm board. With these parameters, the panel can be subjected to:
- brushing;
- bleaching;
- planing;
- heat treatment.
Width is also important, it can reach 20 cm.
Varieties of parquet board
The parquet board for the floor, the pros and cons of which were discussed above, is classified into several varieties. This takes into account the texture, color, the presence of knots, sapwood, etc. In this regard, the following collections can be distinguished:
- select;
- natures;
- rustic.
The first variety involves planks that are the same in structure and color. There are no defects and knots in them, and the pattern is almost monophonic. The second variety may have color combinations. Such a board usually has knots. Very catchy are products that belong to the rustic collection. Here you can see not only cracks, but also knots. Country style is ideal for this variety.