Parquet Flooring
Skill Level: Hard
]
]All You Need
String, pencil, ruler, hardwood panels or strips, adhesive, softwood block, hammer, clear wood finish, sander and saw. Also recommended: spirit level.
Why Parquetry?
Parquet flooring is thin lengths of decorative hardwood laid in panels or strips. It provides a distinctive and attractive look for any area.
First Things First
You can use most types of hardwood: oak, birch or cherry look very attractive. Most parquet flooring consists of panels, although you can also buy parquet strips.
For wood or concrete, the sub-floor must be clean, dry and even.
Step-By Step
Marking out the floor
Draw chalk lines to quarter the room. Here´s how: Find the mid-point of two opposite walls and draw chalk line
Use pencil and string as compass, place loose end in middle of line and mark where circle intersects line
Keep string same length, place loose on each intersection and mark the two points where circles would intersect Draw a line at 90º from two points of intersection This ensures boards are accurately aligned to walls
Laying panels
Use the string as your guide for laying first row of strips or panels Spread adhesive with a trowel, then lay each strip or panel Level gently but firmly into place with the softwood block and hammer
Once the main panels are laid, cut border panels Lay a full-size panel on top of an already laid panel at the edge of the floor
Place another panel on top of this panel, but flush with the wall
Draw a line on the panel you´re going to use as a border using top panel as a guide
Saw panel and fit into place
Finishing the Flooring
Sand any slight irregularities between the tiles, then seal with 3 or 4 coats of clear varnish