Parquet Floors
Parquetry was first introduced in France at the Château de Versailles in 1684. Over a brief period of time Europe has mastered the art of parquetry to perfection. Parquet flooring became very prestigious and could only be obtained by the rich.
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By the 18th century parquetry art became popular all over the world, particularly in Russia. The appearance of decorative parquet revolutionized the interior décor of that time.
The beauty of the most outstanding parquet designs embellished numerous royal residences such as; The State Hermitage (Winter Palace), Tsarskoselsky Palace, Tsarskoye Selo, Kremlevsky Palace, The Gatchinsky Palace and many others. Based on the complexity of design and craftsmanship the Chinese Palace is incomparable to others. The total area of parquetry in the palace is of 722 sq. km. Several species of domestic and foreign wood such as; Persian walnut, maple, amaranth, mahogany, ebony, rosewood, lemon tree, oak, birch and boxwood were used to achieve the breathtaking results. Another extraordinary sight of the decorative parquet can be found in the Ostankino Museum which is still recognized as a unique monument of artistry and creativity.
Structure & Technique:
Parquet consists of smaller pieces of solid wood that comes in standard patterns of 6”x6” blocks and constructed into patterns or designs. It can also imply more complex techniques such as slicing different woods in order to create custom appearance and aspect. Parquet flooring comes in two options: solid parquet, and parquet panels.
Solid parquet: individual pieces of wood which are glued down piece by piece in geometric patterns and designs.
Parquet panels: is a panel with the pieces of hardwood already glued in geometric patterns and are installed using a tongue and groove locking system.
In 18th century the traditional technique of installation was the “herringbone” which actually never went out of style ever since, and this technique is still being used nowadays by many designers. The basic patterns that are often used are: square or diagonal basket and single or double herringbone.
But also custom design is available by most manufacturers; they accept models from the clients as they create the parquet floors using computer driven instruments.
Maintenance:
Parquet flooring requires the same treatment as any other floor types. Just regular sweeping and mopping will do. To prevent unnecessary scratches it is recommended to use brooms and brushes made with fine bristles. Also to use felt pads under all chair, table and sofa legs. Place a rug under the furniture with wheels as it may dent the floors. Try not to drag furniture or any heavy objects without placing a cloth underneath it. Protect your floor from direct sunshine as it may cause the coloration of the wood to fade. Water can really damage the wood, so try to keep the moisture on the floor to a minimum.
Cost:
Parquet floors, by definition, cost more than other types of wood floors due to the complexity of the process. As the complexity of the design increases so does the price. Another important factor is the variety of woods used in the decoration. Besides the basic material options there are also a wide range of finishing solutions, treatment options and adhesive techniques which may also spice up the price.