Parquet Hardwood Flooring

When one thinks about parquet floors, reminisces of the seventies are brought to mind. It was more of a style that didn’t last here in the states during that period, but in the late 19th and early 20th century parquet flooring was very popular in high end homes. Parquet wood flooring by Harris Wood

What’s Going On With Parquet Floors Today?

For all intent and purposes, common parquet has died. The larger US based manufacturers no longer produce any with the exceptions being Armstrong Wood Floors and Harris Wood. The latter offers most of their products in the unfinished variety. Prices can be found in the three dollar range for their lower end products and well into the teens for more detailed designs.

Some of the more popular applications for the Harris Bond Wood include dance floors and specialty design elements shown right with their Monticello pattern adorned with a contrasting dark bolder. Other species include Ash, White Oak, Teak, and American Cherry.

Is Home Depot Still Selling Parquet?

Our latest trips show not only Home Depot but Lowes carrying similar imported Hevea parquet patterns. Heavea? Hevea is an Asian sourced wood with similar graining to that of Maple. Another name mixed in can sometimes be Rubberwood. These are at the very low end in terms of durability and cost.

High Dollar Parquet

A number of European manufacturers have set up shop in the USA offering very high quality forms of parquet. Opposed to many of the lower end products mentioned, most of these are meatier in overall thickness and can be obtained in virtually any species imaginable. Unlike the USA, more European high end homes are filled with parquetry designs.

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How Is Parquet Flooring Installed?

Nearly all parquet is installed by gluing direct to the sub floor. Nearly all? If you throw in herringbone, sometimes considered a parquet pattern, the glue method is eliminated, but we’re referring to solid ¾ inch herringbone.

Where Can I Find The Good Stuff? Parquet block design

With the exception of the big box stores who offer the low end common parquet, other high quality products are harder to find. Your average flooring store sales person will probably have a blank look on their face if you request the Artistic block pattern (shown right) for example.

Some of the European manufacturers have exquisite websites detailing their profound work. Along with the beauty of the internet and their direct sales, one no longer has to go through the maze of networks prominent in the US that send prices out of sight. Yes, you can buy direct. The design shown would normally retail well above $30 per square foot. Buying direct can save 50%.

Related Sites:

• International Parquet Historical Society - superb site for making parquet patterns