Installing parquet has become a favorite choice for those looking to upgrade their home or office flooring. Choosing between laminate flooring and natural wood flooring will affect the process and work equipment required. Laminate flooring is installed using a relatively easy “floating installation” method without glue or fixing to the floor. In contrast, installing solid wood flooring requires additional tools and preparations for gluing or fixing to a higher level. For this reason, it is important to be properly prepared with the appropriate materials and tools for the task. In this article, we will detail everything you need to successfully install quality parquet in your home.
Laminate flooring or wood flooring – which type of flooring is better?
Laminate flooring and wood flooring are two popular types of floor coverings, but there are significant differences between them that are important to consider:
Type of wood: Laminate flooring consists of layers of MDF or HDF boards, a layer of wood or stone-like print, and a transparent laminate coating on top. In contrast, hardwood flooring is made from solid, natural wood boards.
Price of parquet: Laminate flooring is an industrial product and is therefore significantly cheaper than real wood flooring and is a more accessible alternative. Wood flooring is considered higher quality and more prestigious.
Durability and wear: Both types can last for years if you are careful to prevent standing water from remaining on the parquet. Laminate flooring is manufactured to withstand damage, but in the event of damage, dismantling and replacement of the board is required. Solid wood parquet may be more vulnerable to impacts and scratches. The damage can be sanded and repaired without dismantling the parquet (depending on the level of damage).
Maintenance: Laminate flooring is easier to maintain and clean, as the laminate layer protects it from dirt and liquids. In contrast, hardwood flooring requires more careful care and maintenance to maintain its appearance and longevity.
Insulation: Solid wood flooring is more effective at insulating against heat and cold than laminate flooring.
Ultimately, the choice between laminate flooring and hardwood flooring depends on a number of factors, such as budget, desired design style, expected wear and tear, and personal preference. It is worth considering these aspects before making the decision that best suits your needs and resources.
Do it yourself: installing home parquet
Laminate flooring is installed using the “floating installation” method. The assembly is relatively simple so that all “do-it-yourself” enthusiasts can perform it without difficulty with the right tools. Laminate flooring is installed floating above the existing floor, without the use of glue or other material to secure it in place. Each plank in the parquet is easily connected to the next plank, by clicking or connecting (depending on the model of the parquet). Finally, all the parquet planks fill the floor of the room as one piece from end to end without the possibility of the parquet moving.
Materials needed for installing parquet:
• Panels – panels (usually of the same type of parquet) that are glued to the wall at the junction of the wall and the floor.
• Thresholds – The threshold is actually the part that continues the parquet under the front door.
• Insulation sponge – a layer of sponge between the old floor and the parquet, the function of which is to absorb the pressure when walking on it and prevent squeaks. (When installing solid wood parquet on a floor, an insulation layer is not necessary).
Folding level, saw, hammer and silicone gun – tools required for installing parquet:
• A quality vertical saw or table saw, both require a saw blade with teeth adapted to cutting parquet.
• A protractor and measuring tape for cutting perfection.
• A rubber mallet that prevents damage to the integrity of the parquet.
• Level for checking slopes – preferably a folding level that also allows for 90-degree leveling at the wall-floor junction.
• Silicone gun for sealing grooves and corners.
Steps for installing parquet:
1. Preparation before installation – Before any parquet installation, it is important to make sure that the floor of the room is clean and level using a level. An uneven and clean floor will create bumps and height differences between the parquet boards. If the room is not level, it can be leveled using a leveling compound – a type of powdered substance that, when mixed with water, turns into a liquid, spreads evenly over the entire floor, dries quickly, and thus levels it.
Another tip to follow before installing the parquet: The humidity and temperature of the room can affect the volume of the parquet. To ensure that its volume does not change after installation, it is advisable to leave the parquet to rest in the room for two days before installation. During this time, the parquet boards will adapt to the environmental conditions.
2. Determining the direction of installing the parquet – it is best to start at the wide wall of the room and end at the entrance door.
3. Laying the insulation layer – the layer is placed, sheet by sheet, in the opposite direction to the laying of the parquet. That is, if the parquet is installed across the room, the insulation layer will be placed along the length of the room.
4. Laying the parquet – When laying it, it is important to maintain a distance of 8-10 mm from the wall. The parquet may swell as a result of temperature changes and a gap must be left for this.
5. Joining the parquet – Assemble the parquet using the row-by-row method. Each board is joined to the next board by lifting its male side at an angle and lowering it onto the female side of the other board until it clicks. The next row will start in the same direction.
6. Gluing the panels to the walls – After installing all the parquet in the room, glue the panels to the walls. Using a folding level, you can easily maintain a right angle between the panel and the floor.
7. Gluing the entrance threshold – Sometimes it is necessary to shorten the height of the room door in order to adjust it to the new floor height.
A parquet installation project can end badly due to the use of unsuitable or poor quality tools. Choosing the best quality tools and equipment for the task will reduce scrap – the amount of boards damaged during cutting or installation.
Written in collaboration with the website https://www.wood-gallery.co.il/
