Parquet is unlike parquet board. Parquet or parquet board - which is better? Polarwood parquet board prices

Structure, naturalness, environmental friendliness

Block parquet is a block entirely made of solid valuable wood species, while parquet board is a multilayer structure, the structure of which can include not only solid wood, but also high-density fiberboard (HDF board), glue, and a varnish layer.

It is easy to guess that solid wood of valuable species is more environmentally friendly and natural than fiberboard or a multilayer structure, however, during installation, piece parquet is covered with varnish and glue in the same way, which partially neutralizes the difference between the two coatings.

Ease of installation

The construction of block parquet does not provide for a lock connection, unlike parquet boards, which are more and more often supplied with a “click” system of locks, where the planks are simply snapped onto each other on a built-in lock. The strips of block parquet are connected to each other by tongue and groove (tongue and groove). Thus, laying a parquet board is much faster and easier, even a non-professional can handle it, which means that you can save a lot of time and money on floor installation.

But the installation features do not end there. Block parquet not only needs to be glued to the prepared base, tamped with a special tool, but it also needs to be scrapped, sanded and varnished / oiled, having professional equipment and skills, while the parquet board is immediately ready for installation and does not require sanding and some other surface treatment.

Board formats, stacking possibilities

The strips of block parquet are several times smaller in size than the planks of the parquet board, which gives an indisputable advantage in its artistic laying. A parquet board can also be laid in various ways: diagonally, horizontally, vertically, but the methods of its installation are significantly limited by the size of the boards.

You can even try to lay a parquet board with a herringbone:

However, all this is nothing compared to the many installation options that block parquet has:

And if we are talking about the artistic laying of parquet, then they have not yet come up with equal to the piece:

Winner in the category: parquet.

Chamfer, design, texture

Despite the wide design possibilities for block parquet, one cannot fail to note the advantages of a parquet board in this matter. So, for example, the recently fashionable bevel in block parquet is absent, while in a parquet board it performs not only practical functions (visually hides possible cracks in the process of expanding the boards with a change in humidity / climate), but also emphasizes its natural beauty, individual design.

In addition, it is the chamfer that allows for the most realistic deck installation of parquet boards or country-style design with imitation of long wide floorboards in a country log house, which is very difficult to achieve with only small pieces of block parquet at hand.

But the advantages of a parquet board do not end there either. The varied texture, finish effects and surface structure make this flooring stand out from many others. Planks of block parquet have, of course, unique patterns due to the peculiarities of natural wood, its cutting, but parquet board not only does not lag behind them, but even surpasses them.

Firstly, block parquet is produced mainly from oak or ash. Sometimes on the market you can find some other types of wood that grow in our area. This assortment fully satisfies the needs of the market. However, such a meager selection of wood species affects the textures that are limited by the patterns of these species, which cannot be said about parquet boards. Its top layer can be made up of a wide variety of breeds, including rare and exotic, making its texture truly unique.

Secondly, not only wood species affect the appearance of the planks, but also the nature of their factory processing. Block parquet is sold in a natural massive form without any external frills or gloss. The parquet board undergoes all kinds of processing: liming, staining, patinating, retro structuring, brushing, heat and other processing, and therefore this floor covering itself already has an original design, where the buyer does not have to modify it himself, but only has to choose among huge assortment.

Winner in the category: parquet board.

Renovation and restoration

Manufacturers often give a lifetime guarantee for both block parquet and parquet board. However, there is no need to amuse yourself with the hope that the top varnish or oil coating will not wear off after 50 or even 10 years of intensive use. But here restoration work comes to the rescue.

Block parquet, firmly glued to the base, will easily withstand such tests, but the parquet board, unfortunately, is far from always suitable for restoration. In some collections, it can be resurfaced several times (4000 series of the HARO® brand), in others (3000 series of the HARO® brand) - only once during the entire period of use.

In other cases, it will not work to grind and sand the parquet board: either the thickness of the veneer in the top layer will not allow, or the board itself, which rarely is glued, like parquet, to the subfloor will not allow. Grinding block parquet, as well as polishing or re-varnishing, can be practically endless.

True, minor repairs, if necessary, can be performed on both coatings: carefully replace the damaged strip, mask minor scratches using wax pencils or special restoration markers. Locked parquet boards can eventually be reassembled.

Winner in the category: parquet.

Coating care

Since both the parquet and the parquet board in the upper layer are natural valuable wood species, the care for them is similar. Both are afraid of excess water, both require careful careful handling, the use of special detergents, safety precautions, occasional oiling and other maintenance procedures, which you can read more about in our article "How to take care of a parquet board?"

Winner in the category: draw.

Price

Block parquet is a little cheaper than parquet board, but all the seeming benefit is quickly leveled out, if we take into account that independent installation is excluded.

When calculating the costs, the price of a piece parquet should be doubled or even tripled by adding to it the cost of laying the parquet. It is laid on logs or on a plywood base with mandatory gluing, therefore, the cost of plywood and other materials that will be required for installation should be added to the price for professional installation. And if you have conceived an artistic styling, then a premium for complexity will follow to the amount received.

All this ultimately pours into a tidy sum, so block parquet cannot be called cheap.

Winner in the category: parquet board.

Which is better: parquet or parquet board?

As expected in the beginning, neither of these two flooring has managed to take the palm and surpass the other on a combination of factors. And all because both coatings are worthy of the highest praise, just each of them has its own mission, its own purpose.

Choose a parquet board if:

• your plans do not include expensive styling,
• you need bevelled parquet or you are planning a deck installation,
• you would like to be able to disassemble the floor when you move and reassemble it,
• you are looking for a parquet made of rare exotic woods or with an unusual texture,
• the price matters to you.

Choose block parquet if:

• planning artistic styling with unusual patterns,
• the prestige and status of the interior is important to you,
• you need a 100% guarantee of environmental friendliness and naturalness of the product,
• you want to pass on the parquet floor to your descendants,
• you would like to be able to cycle and renew your parquet as needed.

The floor covering must meet many requirements: aesthetics, environmental friendliness, maintainability. In this case, the dilemma - which is better than a parquet board or a solid board - is a frequent occurrence. Both materials are beautiful, durable and clean. The article is assessed by experts, on the basis of which the final choice can be made.

The floor covering must meet many requirements: aesthetics, environmental friendliness, maintainability. In this case, the dilemma - which is better than a parquet board or a solid board - is a frequent occurrence. Both materials are beautiful, durable and clean. Below is an assessment by experts, on the basis of which you can make a final choice.

Features of parquet

The parquet board is a multi-layer unit. All stabilizing and decorative layers are bonded together with glue. Front covering - varnish, oil, wax. Read more in the article "What is a parquet board".

The advantages of the material are as follows:

• Strength. Due to the layers laid perpendicular to each other, linear expansion, pressure and climate change affect the parquet to a lesser extent.
• Do-it-yourself affordable styling methods. Boards can have tongue-and-groove joints. With them, a floating floor is created, which, on occasion, can be dismantled without damage.
• The beauty. The natural pattern of noble woods is emphasized by a matte or glossy composition that emphasizes or sets off natural colors. The artistic options are worthy of the reception halls.

With proper care, the restoration of the parquet takes place with minimal changes - in its original form, it will last a long time.

Consider the disadvantages in order to decide which is better solid or parquet board:

• The parquet is environmentally friendly, as the layers are natural wood. But the glue cannot meet this condition. In addition to it, an assembly compound for adhesion to the floor is also used. Therefore, it is important to always remember about the chemical constituents of parquet boards.
• The service life of the parquet is 1.5 times lower than that of the array.

Parquet remains at the peak of popularity among other noteworthy floor coverings. If you use the raw materials wisely: choose the optimal installation option, provide timely care, carry out preventive maintenance, the floor will delight you with its splendor for a long time.

Features of a solid board

The material is a solid piece of wood without delaminations and inclusions of synthetic raw materials - in detail "What is a solid board".

Advantages:

• Complete ecology.
• Strength. Due to the thickness, the service life of the board reaches 70 years. In addition, timely procedures - sanding, sanding - prolong the original appearance of the natural floor covering.
• Heat capacity. Solid wood floors do not need warm systems.

disadvantages

Which is better: parquet board or solid wood?

To determine the choice of flooring, it is important to consider the behavior of the boards in real use. Many factors matter: the building material of the house, the activity through passage, the willingness to care for the floor in accordance with the rules, and so on. Let's start:

Stability

The concept defines the initial appearance of the coating over time. The massive board wins. It has great thickness and weight. Therefore, it will successfully withstand changing loads. Squeaks and shifts in the array occur later - for a parquet board, the problem can begin immediately after installation, if the work is carried out without proper control.

The appearance of the parquet is preserved with special care.

Solid wood board is undemanding to detergents, but likewise does not accept excess moisture. Over time, massive wood floors are painted. It is not recommended to do this with parquet - sanding, sanding and other manipulations are required.

It is not forbidden to lay parquet in apartments, but for this it is important to choose the right room without aggressive environments. Parquet board does not spread in children's rooms - constant activity and the risk of spilling or dropping something is high. Her prerogative is living rooms, halls, offices. The array is unpretentious only if a certain breed is selected. For example, larch is successfully put in bathrooms and saunas, where it is absolutely inert to moisture.

True, such varieties are high in cost. The rest of the wood suffers from longitudinal cracks - this feature is absent in parquet.

House building material will also affect wood floors. Bricks and stones are capable of creating dampness inside, which is detrimental to wood. The array will be the first to be hit, the parquet is more stable. Both coatings require moisture control.

Maintainability

Due to the thickness, scrap the array, perhaps 7–8 times. Nevertheless, the problems of a solid floor appear more often due to the structure of the board - longitudinal cracks, large gaps. To replace the floorboard, you will have to open the adjacent boards to the wall, otherwise the looseness will not disappear.

Over time, solid wood floors are painted, as cracks have to be putty

Parquet requires careful handling, its thickness allows to carry out the cleaning procedure 3-5 times. Sand, heels, animal claws can ruin the coating. Inlaid or artistic parquets are restored only by professionals. Simple installation will allow you to make repairs yourself without dismantling the entire coating, while maintaining the appearance of the floor.

Price

Definitely, it is impossible to name the difference between a parquet board and a solid board in terms of price. The cost depends on many factors: the type and type of wood, the method of installation, the number of boards, related materials - their purchase is necessary. It is necessary to take into account the price of the work - it is difficult to lay a parquet board, as well as an array correctly. It is important to focus on the quality of the material.

conclusions

So, what is the difference between a solid board and a parquet board? To many. Which one to prefer? Consistent with purpose and finance. Is an array definitely better? Only for some of the indicators described. Solid wood takes the lead in practicality, parquet takes the lead in aesthetics. You decide.

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Tsugunov Anton Valerievich

Reading time: 7 minutes

Arrangement of the floor in an apartment is a responsible and costly task, therefore, the choice of floor covering should be treated with special attention. What should be a good floor? Beautiful, strong and durable. At construction forums, to this day, there are heated debates about which floor covering is better: parquet or laminate. The first attracts with its naturalness, the second - with its practicality and price. A new material in the construction market is winning its supporters - cork laminate. Let's find out the truth about these materials, find out how they differ and help doubters make the right choice.

If you ask the question of what is better, a laminate or a parquet board, to an experienced specialist, then the answer will be unambiguous: the best is what is of higher quality, and the rest depends on personal preferences. Both materials have their pros and cons, but for someone the disadvantages of a laminate or parquet will be significant, but for someone they can be easily eliminated. Consider the features of each material and conduct a comparative analysis of their characteristics.

Parquet board: the warmth of natural wood

The parquet board has replaced the classic block parquet made from solid wood. It is a structure that successfully combines harder and softer wood species, giving it flexibility and strength. Better than others, a three-layer parquet board has proven itself, which has the following form:

• bottom layer - stabilizing plywood layer, thickness from 1.5 to 2 mm;
• middle layer - narrow planks of softwood or rubber wood, 8-9 mm thick, located perpendicular to the top layer;
• the top is a durable wear-resistant layer of hard wood, the thickness varies from 0.5 to 6 mm.

The total thickness of the board can be up to 25 mm. The top of the parquet board is covered with several layers of protective varnish.

Particularly noteworthy is the Barlinek parquet board. The manufacturer uses only natural wood, manicured in three layers, no plywood or MDF. Used locks BARCLICK on the long edge and at the end of the Barlock 5Gc, which allow installation without glue and special tools. Can be laid on a warm floor!

Minuses:

1. Wood is susceptible to mechanical damage: deformations, dents, scratches. The strength differs depending on the type of wood used in the top layer.
2. There is a possibility of delamination.
3. Increased requirements for the surface of the base - it must be clean and perfectly leveled.
4. Afraid of changes in temperature and humidity.
5. The use of chemical cleaning agents is not permitted.
6. When installed without adhesion, gaps can form between the boards over time.

Laminate: versatility and practicality

Laminate is a modern industrial product consisting of different materials arranged in layers.

• The bottom layer is a protective one made of impregnated paper or thin plastic.
• The middle layer is a load-bearing one, it is a fiberboard or chipboard board, it is characterized by increased strength.
• The face layer is a foil or film on which the image is applied. It can be imitation of wood, granite, tiles, carpet and other materials. The most popular textures imitated by laminate: oak, maple, cherry walnut and other valuable wood species.
• Top layer - protective - melamine resin.

The edges of the laminate are usually treated with a wax water repellent compound.

Laminate is divided into classes according to the wear resistance parameter from 21 to 34. The higher the class, the greater the permissible load on the coating and its service life, which can reach 15 or even 20 years.

Advice: for an apartment, a class 32 product with a corundum content in the upper protective layer (a substance that provides high scratch resistance) is best suited. The lower class does not differ in durability, the material of the 33rd and 34th class is unjustifiably expensive.

Pros and cons of laminate

It is important to keep in mind that all the advantages that this coating can have apply only to a high-quality product, the manufacturer of which is a member of the EPLF association. Products of low quality, which can be sold both at a low price and under the guise of high-class material, have some solid drawbacks and form a negative public opinion about this type of coating.

Disadvantages of laminate:

• the main difference between a laminate and a parquet board, which can be attributed to its disadvantages, is unnaturalness;
• the edges of the plates are the weak point of the product and can delaminate over time;
• not subject to restoration and repair;
• the material is distinguished by a high level of noise and boom;
• static, attracts dust, cold to the touch.

Tip: The resonance and noise of the coating can be significantly reduced if it is placed on a well-leveled floor and cork backing.

A novelty in the world of finishing - cork laminate, combines the qualities of parquet and laminated flooring and even surpasses them in some parameters.

Pros of cork laminate:

• excellent heat and sound insulation;
• hypoallergenic and environmentally friendly;
• elasticity of the material;
• easy installation;
• can be dismantled and stacked several times;
• the cork is springy and feels warm to the touch, it makes you feel good when walking barefoot;
• service life is not less than 10 years.

Minuses:

• high price;
• low strength at point impact;
• cork is poorly compatible with the underfloor heating system, heat transfer will be very low - at the level of 20%;
• rough surface makes maintenance difficult.

Some cork floor owners complain about socks and slippers that wear out quickly due to roughness. To eliminate this disadvantage, it is necessary to cover the floor with an additional layer of varnish.

Comparison of flooring

Let's try to compare the three types of flooring in terms of the main selection criteria.

Performance

1. Parquet requires careful handling, does not tolerate sharp heels, furniture movements, falling heavy objects, but it is warm and non-static.
2. Laminate is practical and durable, but at the same time cold, hard and static.
3. The cork is elastic and the dents from the furniture disappear after a while, but when struck, chips form on it. In terms of tactile sensations, this is the most pleasant and warm material.

Before equipping the interior of a room in which it is preferable to make a wooden floor with a floor covering, you should familiarize yourself with the options for this type of coating. Which is better - parquet board or parquet laminate - will help to decide the characteristics of each of them. By comparing the qualities of each material, it will be easy to make a choice. Knowing the requirements for the flooring, it is quite easy to extend the service life.

Laminate and its structure

When choosing which covering is better suited to a particular room - parquet board or parquet laminate - their characteristics should be assessed comprehensively.

Laminate is a laminated system consisting of 4 types of material. The total thickness is rarely more than 1.5 cm. The main layer consists of a chipboard or fiberboard. It gives rigidity to the product. The bottom of the laminate is made of paper impregnated with a water-repellent substance. Sometimes plastic is used for these purposes. The bottom layer reliably protects the board from moisture ingress. The decorative layer has a color that imitates the color of the main tree species. There are also other types of textures. The top layer of the product is a thin, transparent film that protects it from moisture penetration and mechanical damage.

Choosing which is better - a parquet board or a parquet laminate - it is necessary to take into account that the laminate is a resistant, durable material. Corundum grain is added to expensive building material for strength.

Advantages of laminate flooring

Laminate has a number of positive qualities. Thanks to them, according to consumer reviews, this type of coating will last about 10 years. This should be taken into account when choosing between it and a parquet board.

The main advantages of laminate flooring include environmental friendliness. It can be laid even in the nursery. What distinguishes laminate from parquet board is the ability to mount it in rooms with high temperatures. It is able to repel dirt, does not slip. The coating is resistant to abrasion, mechanical damage and stress. Laminate is resistant to temperature rise. Withstands overheating.

One of the positive qualities that distinguish the laminate from the parquet board is the absence of the need to maintain the coating with special methods. It is enough to regularly wet the surface.

Parquet board or laminate - which is better? Consumer feedback also makes it clear that laminate flooring is a little easier to install. Its cost is less than that of a parquet board.

Disadvantages of laminate

When considering whether to choose a parquet board or a laminate, you need to familiarize yourself with the disadvantages of the latter.

This material does not withstand high humidity. Therefore, it is better not to use it in the bathroom or kitchen. The disadvantages of laminate flooring also include the impossibility of restoration by polishing. Serious scratches will be very difficult to remove. Choosing a high strength class, it will be possible to avoid negative manifestations.

Laminate or What to choose, it's up to you, of course. The main thing is that good quality is present in each type of material. Low quality laminate will last only 2-3 years. A good, high-quality coating of the type presented is comparable in cost to parquet.

Parquet board

It is also a layered structure. However, its overall thickness is slightly greater than that of a laminate. Usually it reaches 2 cm. The top layer is made from various valuable types of wood. That is why such coverage is quite expensive.

The difference between parquet and laminate is that its structure consists of 3 layers. The wood and plywood included in the composition are perpendicular to each other. This system allows you to increase the strength of the product, as well as to avoid deformations. The upper decorative layer, which is a durable wood, additionally protects the product.

Parquet board texture

Studying how the laminate differs from the parquet board, we can come to the conclusion that in the spectrum of the variety of textures, both types of material are quite rich. The surface of the parquet board is sometimes additionally painted. However, even without this, creating a real work of art on the surface of the material will not be difficult.

By means of brushing technology, it is allowed to artificially age the type of wood. The material is colored with toner. This helps to give the desired shade to the wood.

The surface of the parquet board is allowed to whiten, steam and perform other manipulations. If desired, the texture is not used at all. The surface will be just smooth and shiny. But thanks to the peculiarities inherent in each type of wood, it is very easy to choose an interesting, unique style of flooring. Texture can add luxury to an interior. The main thing is to correlate the design style of the room with the choice of pattern on the wood surface.

parquet boards

Parquet board or laminate - which is better? User reviews highlight such positive features of a wooden floor as environmental friendliness and hygiene. Thanks to the properties of wood, dirt is simply pushed out of the material. The durability of such a coating, with proper use, exceeds 30 years. This is also facilitated by the possibility of sanding the parquet board. It is being restored in order to remove scratches and traces of mechanical damage.

This material is easy to combine with other types of flooring. For example, in the kitchen, near the work surface, you can lay ceramic tiles, and cover the rest of the space with a wooden covering.

When deciding which is better - parquet board or parquet laminate - it should be borne in mind that natural wood is considered a warm material. Therefore, in a room with a laminate or parquet board, the temperature difference will be noticeable.

When using the lock connection, the parquet board is easily and quickly assembled.

Disadvantages of parquet boards

• Natural wood, which is part of the product, does not like temperature extremes and high humidity.
• This material also reacts poorly to the influence of ultraviolet rays.
• Wood has the ability to absorb odors, which can be irritating in a living environment.
• Dents and scratches easily appear on the top layer.
• The purchase and installation costs are quite high.

Laminate or parquet board, the pros and cons of which were discussed above, are selected at the discretion of the consumer. The inherent disadvantages of the latter also include the change in the size of the floor elements in summer and winter due to the ability to absorb and release water.

What do parquet boards and laminate flooring have in common?

In or parquet boards, you must be guided not only by their pros and cons. Pay attention to the general quality of materials. The similarity of the coatings lies in the wide range of their colors and textures. This will allow you to create a wide variety of interiors.

Parquet boards are produced by the deck method. Ease of installation of both systems is ensured by the technology of their connection. When laying a laminate or parquet board, you do not need to use glue or mastic. This assembly method will also help to easily replace the damaged cover element.

What to choose?

The difference between laminate and parquet boards should be taken into account when the consumer chooses the necessary building material. In different situations, any of the following is better suited:

• If the room is a walk-through, or the flooring will be exposed to heavy loads, it is more correct to give preference to the laminate. It is more abrasion resistant.
• If there are animals in the house, it is better to prefer laminate flooring.
• For a luxurious interior design, a parquet board is definitely better.
• The difference between laminate and hardwood flooring is thermal conductivity. If you need to create additional floor insulation, you need to give preference to a parquet board.
• When there is no good ventilation in the room, it is better to cover the floor with laminate.
• Laminate and parquet flooring differ in noise transmission. When using laminate, for example, a small child running around the apartment will create discomfort for the neighbors below.
• Many consumers pay initial attention to the price of the cover. Laminate is cheaper, but you will have to change it more often.

How to choose a laminate flooring?

To correctly choose a laminate, you need to pay attention to the wear resistance class. Even for residential premises, it is better to choose the 31-33rd strength class. This will significantly extend the lifespan of the floor covering.

The thickness of the laminate, like the parquet board, has a different meaning. It should be between 8 and 12 mm. For this type of coverage, this is quite enough.

The thickness of the laminate and parquet boards is different. The first option is much thinner. It does not raise the floor level perceptibly. This is true for people doing renovations in the same room. With laminate flooring, a step will not form between rooms.

When self-laying a wooden floor covering, it is better to choose a lock-type connection.

How to choose the color of your parquet board?

When making a purchase, you should also pay attention to the quality, cost and color of the wooden flooring.

As for the coloring of the parquet board, it is matched to the front door. They don't have to match in color. The main thing is that their tandem is harmonious.

The contrasting combination of parquet and door looks very interesting. It is best to pick up the color right away in the store. In the photo, the shades may be distorted.

When choosing the color of the floor covering, it should be borne in mind that the difference between the laminate and the parquet board lies in maintaining the color of the artificial version. Natural wood will brighten over time. This must be taken into account when choosing the color of the flooring and door.

The shade of the wood even depends on the type of cut and the location of the production, as well as the processing technology. Lighting plays an important role in the process of choosing the color of the parquet board.

It is better not to match the texture of the door and wood flooring to be identical. Otherwise, there will be little harmony in such a combination.

How to choose a parquet board?

A good parquet board usually has a thickness of up to 2 cm. Pay attention to the hardness of the material. Moreover, this indicator should be correlated with the moisture resistance index of the tree.

When choosing a parquet board as a floor covering, the humidity in the room should be at least 45 and not higher than 60%. In the heating season, if there is a lack of moisture, natural wood flooring can crack. Therefore, asking the question: "Laminate or parquet board - what to choose?" - it is necessary to measure the humidity in the apartment. If the level of this indicator is insufficient, it is necessary to give preference to the laminate.

Parquet board cost

Parquet board is an expensive coating. The cost depends directly on its thickness, processing method, as well as the brand of production. The better the flooring, the more expensive its price. A solid laminate is like a parquet board.

The most expensive materials for natural coating are considered to be such exotic woods as cherry and walnut. This is due to the thinness of plant trunks. Good workmanship, high-quality sanding also make the final product more expensive.

Products produced by popular manufacturers have a higher cost. Although not always a big name and a high price are a guarantee of quality. The appearance of the product, its locks, thickness and quality of processing should play a decisive role in the selection of flooring.

Having familiarized yourself with the main characteristics, types and their features, it will be easy to decide which is better - parquet board or parquet laminate. Depending on the requirements for the flooring, everyone chooses the best option for themselves.

Knowing the main parameters that you should pay attention to when choosing an artificial or natural wooden floor, it will be easy to determine the highest quality product at an affordable price.

Working for the second decade in the flooring market, our company has accumulated considerable experience, which allows us to competently answer the main question of this article: "Solid board or parquet board - which is better?"

Through many years of natural selection, having abandoned working with laminate, block parquet and solid boards, we decided to focus exclusively on parquet boards, moreover, the only manufacturer - the Swedish company Kahrs.

This article will focus mainly on comparing the products of this particular manufacturer with the products of solid board manufacturers.

Despite the fact that the industry of artificial flooring (laminate, vinyl, etc.) does not stand still, and offers the consumer more and more new types of its products, interest in natural wood floors not only does not fade away, but on the contrary is constantly growing. The explanation for this is very simple - in our urban age we are moving further and further away from living nature, and, naturally, we want to have a part of it in our home.

The difference between a solid board and a parquet board

The visual difference between a solid board and a parquet board is barely noticeable. As you know, a parquet board has three main designs - three-lane, imitating block parquet, two-lane - an analogue of block parquet of a larger format, and, finally, single-lane, imitating solid board floorboards.

In order to consider all the differences between a massive board and a parquet board, we will take the last variety as a basis - a single-strip parquet board, as it is as close as possible from the point of view of visual perception.

The popularity of solid flooring in recent decades has been driven by several factors. On the one hand, more and more citizens of the post-Soviet era can afford the area of ​​apartments and country houses incommensurably larger than the area of ​​"Khrushchev" and "Brezhnev". It is in large open spaces that these floorboards look the most advantageous. On the other hand, modern designs increasingly involve combining elements from different eras. For many of us, the sight of a wide and long floorboard is not an empty phrase, but a nostalgic memory of a country experience. And finally, minimalism, which has stepped to us from the West and has become widespread in interior design, reveals the visual advantages of single-strip floors in the best possible way.

Anyone who is faced with the choice of solid board or parquet board, inevitably asks the question, is it possible to visually distinguish one coating from another? Only manufacturers of parquet boards of the highest level can bring us as close as possible to the feeling of solid wood. In this case, only experienced professionals can find some characteristic differences. And it should be noted that these differences will not be in favor of the array. The differences between a solid board and a parquet board are given below.

Pros and cons of solid board

Having worked for many years in the retail sector, we can confidently note that the main advantage of a solid board, which is seen by private buyers, is the ability to cycle and grind the board a large number of times. Is it really? Isn't this advantage exaggerated?

In the sketch below you can see that the solid board is being cycled only up to the “crest-groove” level. And this is much less than half the thickness of the entire board. Of course, this work surface is larger than that of a parquet board. But who said that the second should not be looped? The working surface of the parquet board is quite enough for 2 full-fledged scrapes and 5-6 regrinds. Considering the fact that Kahrs lacquer coating serves at home for about 15-20 years (we dare to say this completely boldly from our own experience), it is easy to calculate how long a parquet board can last. In particular, Kahrs.

As for floors under natural oil, be it solid board or parquet board, it is generally not customary to scrape them. The surface is renewed by filling all scratches and dents with oil mastic.

Today the aesthetics of a product often coincides with its practicality. What do we mean? The fact is that in recent years a clearly defined trend of aged boards has developed in design. And, it should be noted from the statistics of our sales, it is only gaining momentum. Any roughness during operation, whether it be scratches or dents, only organically complement the appearance of the board. Does anyone want to cycle the floor covering, which has acquired a special charm of antiquity over the years?

But if we are still not talking about an aged board? Is the issue of shuffling really so relevant at all, as it seems to almost all inexperienced buyers? For a solid board, yes, for a Kahrs parquet board with the revolutionary Woodloc® lock, not at all.

On this score, we will quote ourselves from our other article on a thin parquet board:

But what if you scratched your floors, put deep dents, but the varnish has not yet rubbed off? After all, you experience quite understandable discomfort at the sight of these injuries ... Analyze how much of the entire surface of the floor you really have to walk, drop objects and make scratches. It is unlikely that it will even be 50%. Moreover, it is not at all a fact that the entire exploited surface will be damaged. It may be enough to replace a few damaged boards (and Cherso's Woodloc® lock allows you to do this quickly and efficiently) to make the floor look like new again. If you want to save money at the same time, you do not have to buy new boards, take those that were lying under the sofa or wardrobe and just swap them with the damaged ones. Many buyers ask the question of what to do with a separate board, located, for example, in the center of the room. There is nothing difficult to remove the skirting board and disassemble the entire floor from the wall to this board, and then assemble it with the same ease.

Kahrs Woodloc® 5S lock connection

Can individual damaged solid boards be replaced just as easily? The question is probably rhetorical.

For this reason, the question of the longevity of both types of coating remains controversial. Kahrs parquet boards can continue their second and even third life in new premises, which, of course, cannot be afforded by an array.

Based again on our own experience, we can say that when deciding in favor of a solid board, not all buyers realize how difficult and expensive it is to install this type of coating. They are not aware of how much they will need to repair in the event of situations such as a battery breakthrough or a flood.

A typical array layout is shown below.

The figure shows that the solid board is attached to the base in the most careful way. Considering that many buyers take the flooring to new buildings, when the structure has not yet given the necessary shrinkage, it is quite logical to assume which coating will be in the greater risk zone, which is attached tightly to the concrete screed or which lies freely on the substrate.

In fact, manufacturers of solid wood can give a guarantee on the stability of their products only if the humidity in the room is in the range from 50 to 65% throughout the year. What is the real humidity in our premises? Everyone can easily check this by purchasing a hygrometer. You will see that in summer the relative humidity will rise to 90% and more, in winter it will drop below 16%.

Of course, parquet manufacturers also recommend maintaining the humidity in the room from 30 to 60%, but this is only at the time of installation. During operation, such stringent requirements are not set. Well, maybe for very capricious wood species such as beech and maple.

There is one essential detail that we cannot fail to mention, this is the "status" of the array. Yes, yes, many buyers in our country are not always guided by how practical it is, but by how prestigious it is. Well, if this is the last thing that can determine your choice, then we hasten to note that Kahrs parquet is very prestigious. Respect for a brand is impossible to impose, it always hovers somewhere in the air. And if you've ever heard anything about Kahrs, we're sure they were very flattering and respectful comments.

Pros and cons of parquet boards

It hardly makes sense to tell that the parquet board was born much later than the massive board. Of course, an important motive in its invention was the banal desire to save on raw materials. But as time has shown, this turned out to be far from its only advantage.

It is a well-known fact in the parquet world that Kahrs was the founder of the parquet board in 1941. Gustav Cher, grandson of the founder of the dynasty, patented the first three-layer parquet board for the first time. How successful the invention was, we can see today on the example of the vast majority of manufacturers of parquet boards. There were many attempts to create their own structure, but only the three-layer parquet board proposed by Gustav Cher has stood the test of time.

The disadvantage of a parquet board is considered by many to be that, unlike an array, it springs somewhat underfoot. On this score, let us quote ourselves again:

Some of our clients are not satisfied with the effect of a spring floor in a floating parquet board. They want their parquet flooring to be as hard as the asphalt on the sidewalk. But in vain, because slightly springy floors significantly reduce the load on the spine, and the risk of age-related changes associated with thinning of the intervertebral discs (and, as a result, spinal diseases) is significantly reduced. As for the unusual sensations when walking on a floating floor, then ... it is a matter of time to get used to it. If you do insist on hard floors, there is no obstacle to gluing them to the base. In addition, there are gluing methods that make it possible to do without expensive plywood.

Over the more than seventy-year history of the existence of a parquet board as one of the types of flooring, a huge number of consumers have become convinced of the numerous advantages of a parquet board. One of the most important, undoubtedly, is the stability of the three-layer structure.

The picture below shows how wood tends to behave in any flooring. This is her natural urge. The only difference is that in the array she often succeeds, in the parquet board, it is extremely rare, and even then from low-quality manufacturers.

People call this effect "boat". This is one of the significant disadvantages of a solid board.

The explanation is very simple. If a solid board, by and large, is just a skillfully crafted solid piece of wood, then a parquet board is a rather complex structure, specially designed in order to minimize any movement of wood fibers as much as possible.

It works exactly as shown in the figure.

Often, considering all the pros and cons of a parquet board, the main counter-argument of our visitors is the price of the array, which is significantly lower than that of a single-strip board from Kahrs. At the same time, for all that, most of them are absolutely sure that they are talking about European manufacturers. According to our estimates, from 80 to 90% of products passed off as German, Dutch, British, Canadian, etc. are produced in China and the countries of the former USSR. Let's say even more, those inexpensive brands that have become well known to our Russian consumers in recent years have nothing to do with Western countries at all. They were invented by our home-grown businessmen who simply place orders at factories in China and the CIS countries.

Until Russian legislation requires sellers to provide reliable information about the origin of their product, our buyers will have to deal with this kind of falsification.

Our reader should be well aware that if sellers deliberately hide the true origin of the product, then they are clearly concealing such an important aspect as its environmental safety.

As for the truly European brands, they are on the Russian market. Only the price of their products is not at all 2 - 3 tr. per square meter, and starting from 5 tr. and higher. And this, you know, is the price of ready-made Kahrs single strip. What do you mean ready? This means that the maximum you need to add to the Kahrs price is the price of the substrate (about 100 with a little rubles per square meter). As for the array, this is only the price of the board itself. To this you will have to add the price of all consumables that cost about the same if they are truly high quality and environmentally friendly. Over the years of work, including with the array, we often had to see the disappointment of customers. They were not at all ready for such expenses that they had, in the end, to bear for the finished solid floor.

What to choose - solid or parquet board?

In this article, we did not hide from the very beginning that our goal in the question of "solid board or parquet board" is to convince the reader to take our side. Whether it succeeded or not is up to you, dear reader. We've told you the all-round pros and cons of solid planks and now the choice is yours. Let's just say that a considerable number of buyers, whom our managers reoriented from array to, were very grateful to us for this.

In order to be convinced of the undeniable advantages and to receive additional information, we invite you to visit any of the five showrooms of the Leader-Parket company.