Welcome to our big parquet floor test 2023. Here we present all the parquet floors we have tested in detail. We have compiled detailed background information for you. We would like to make your purchase decision easier and help you find the best parquet floor for you.
You will also find answers to frequently asked questions in our guide. Furthermore, you will also find some important information on this page that you should definitely pay attention to if you want to buy parquet flooring.
Summary
- Parquet flooring is a wooden floor covering used in closed rooms. Wood from deciduous trees is usually used for this. This is sawn into small pieces and assembled according to a certain pattern.
- A basic distinction is made between solid parquet and multilayer parquet. The main difference between them is the cost of purchase.
- If you want to upgrade your home with a parquet floor, multilayer parquet is a good solution. It is the cheaper option and can be installed by yourself.
The Best Parquet Flooring: Our Picks
Guide: Questions you should ask yourself before buying parquet flooring
What is parquet flooring?
Parquet flooring is generally considered a very high-grade floor and a quality product. Parquet lovers particularly appreciate its timeless elegance, durability and low maintenance. The soft feel underfoot also contributes to the popularity of parquet flooring. Various types of wood are used to make parquet flooring.
Pine, oak, beech or overseas wood species such as bamboo are often used. The floor coverings made of the respective types of wood are available in many different patterns and colours.
What does a parquet floor cost?
As a rule of thumb for the costs of a parquet floor, you can remember the following: 40% for the material, 40% for the craftsmen and 20% for additional costs for skirting boards, transitions between rooms, etc. The price of a cheap parquet floor can be calculated as follows:
Roughly speaking, a cheap parquet floor for a living space of 30 square metres costs about 900 euros. 450 euros if you install it yourself. If you have underfloor heating at home, want a specially patterned parquet floor, or there are many niches in your home, the matter becomes much more expensive. Parquet layers quickly cost 100 euros per hour.
If you prefer a medium quality, you can expect to pay 30 euros per square metre for the material. High-quality parquet, on the other hand, can cost 100 euros to 200 euros per square metre if it is a special wood.
Where can I buy parquet flooring?
Why parquet flooring: advantages and disadvantages of parquet flooring compared to other floor coverings
On the other hand, a wooden floor radiates a very special atmosphere and has a very individual effect. The material provides warmth and comfort and can also be used as a stylish accent.
Besides, a beautiful parquet floor is an investment in your future. If you treat it well and take adequate care of it, you can keep it for a lifetime.
The wood floor is hard-wearing and if it does get damaged, you can have it sanded. This makes parquet flooring a stylish and sustainable alternative to all other floor coverings. Because of its timeless character, it will be enjoyed by generations to come.
What alternatives are there to parquet flooring?
Vinyl floors are available in a wide variety of styles. They offer a high level of walking comfort and are very robust. At a price of 30 euros per square metre, they are an affordable alternative to parquet flooring.
Cork flooring is also a popular alternative. The advantage of a cork floor is that it is available in any desired look. For example, there are cork floors in wood look, concrete look or stone look. The cork is laid as large tiles and glued down. Other well-known alternatives to parquet flooring are:
- Carpets
- Laminate
- Linoleum
- Tiles
Decision: What types of parquet flooring are there and which is the right one for you?
If you want to get a parquet floor, there are several types of parquet floors to choose from. The choice of parquet flooring needs to be well thought out and is quite complex compared to other floor coverings. Basically, there are two types of parquet floors:
- Solid parquet
- Multi-layer parquet
These two types of hardwood floors come with different advantages and disadvantages. According to your personal preferences and needs, one type of parquet floor suits you better. The following sections will help you decide.
What are the characteristics of solid parquet and what are its advantages and disadvantages?
One advantage of solid parquet is that, unlike multi-layer parquet, it is made from one homogeneous element. Since it is made of a single wood, solid parquet can often be sanded. That is why it generally has a longer lifespan than the multilayer parquet. The solid parquet is also probably the most natural of all floor coverings because it is made of pure solid wood. This makes solid parquet a quality product. It also convinces with its stylish look. Laying a solid parquet floor is difficult for a do-it-yourselfer.
This is probably the biggest disadvantage of solid parquet. Therefore, additional costs for the installation work and the substructure have to be factored in. A solid parquet floor is glued directly to the floor. Afterwards, the surface is additionally treated and sealed. Due to the complex installation, the renovation phase can quickly take longer.
The following subgroups exist for solid parquet:
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Strip parquet | In strip parquet, parquet strips or strips with a length of 25 cm to 60 cm and a width of 4.5 cm – 8 cm are laid. |
| Mosaic parquet | With mosaic parquet, small wooden slats are laid in such a way that a mosaic pattern is created. |
| Lamparquet | Lamparquet is about 10 mm thick and is often used in renovations. |
| Vertical lamella parquet | With vertical lamella parquet, short wooden strips 8 mm wide are laid on edge next to each other. |
What are the characteristics of multilayer parquet and what are its advantages and disadvantages?
A multi-layer parquet consists of three glued layers of real wood. The different layers act as a backing, support and top layer. The top layer is, as the name suggests, the top layer. It gives the parquet its appearance. A subgroup of the multi-layer parquet is the finished parquet.
This is called finished parquet because the surface of the flooring is already finished and does not need to be treated again. This means that the finished parquet is ready to be lived in immediately after installation! The multi-layer parquet can be sanded between two and five times. It depends on the thickness of the top layer and the type of installation.
Statistically, parquet floors are generally sanded only once. Here you can see how many times would be possible:
- Floating installation: Sanding possible two to three times
- Glue-down installation: Sanding possible four to five times
The prefabricated parquet can be installed quickly and easily with a click system. There are two different installation methods: floating and gluing. For floating installation, you should also install impact sound insulation. On the whole, multi-layer parquet is the cheaper option and you can choose your favourite look.
A second subgroup of the multi-layer parquet is the panel parquet. You can think of panel parquet as the “king of parquets”. Parquet strips made of different types of wood are glued together to form square boards and combined with each other. This results in star or rhombus patterns.
Buying criteria: You can compare and evaluate parquet floors based on these factors
There are many factors to consider when buying a parquet floor. You should base your planning on the intended use and the place of use. There are also two different main groups, which have just been explained: Solid parquet and multilayer parquet. In the following, we will show you which aspects you can use to decide between the many different types of parquet flooring. If you follow these criteria, you are guaranteed to find the right parquet floor for you and your home. The criteria include:
- Conditions at home
- Multi-layer parquet or solid parquet
- Glue-down or floating installation
- Light or dark parquet
- Oiled or lacquered parquet
- Pattern and appearance of the parquet floor
- Cleaning and maintenance
In the following paragraphs we explain what you should look for in the criteria.
Conditions at home
First, you should consider where you are going to install the parquet. If you are installing it in a restaurant or shop, you should choose a more robust type of wood than if you are installing it in the bedroom or living room.
You should also consider whether the room is heated with underfloor heating. Do you have hot water underfloor heating or electric underfloor heating? It depends on whether you have hot water underfloor heating or electric underfloor heating. It is best to ask the manufacturer which type of wood is suitable.
It is not possible to lay a parquet floor on a laminate, a carpet or on any other existing floor!
The humidity in the room also plays a role. It is best for the parquet if this is between 40% and 60%. In winter, this can be difficult. If the humidity is too low, it will have a negative effect on your floor. Before laying the floor, you should also check the subfloor. It should be clean and have no unevenness. Cracks and unevenness must be repaired before installation.
Multi-layer parquet or solid parquet
When deciding whether to install a solid parquet or a multi-layer parquet, you can read the description with the advantages and disadvantages again. You will find them further up in the article. In general, however, it can be said that multi-layer parquet is definitely easier to maintain and install.
It is also more suitable if you have underfloor heating at home. So if you simply want a parquet floor, the multi-layer parquet is recommended. For parquet lovers and connoisseurs, solid parquet is the way to go.
Glue-down or floating installation
As mentioned above, multilayer parquet can be installed as a floating or glued-down floor. The floating installation of multi-layer parquet on an insulating underlay can be easily mastered by a do-it-yourselfer. This is because the click system makes installation very easy. Glue-down installation is mainly used with underfloor heating. In addition, parquet flooring that has been glued down is often quieter.
Light or dark parquet
Choosing between all the possible colours and patterns is a real challenge! But you can certainly start with the question “light or dark?”. In a dark room, a light parquet creates a cosy atmosphere and makes the room look brighter. In a dark room, the dark parquet would make the room look gloomier. In a room with a lot of daylight, you can install a dark parquet floor.
Oiled or lacquered parquet
When buying, you must also decide whether the parquet floor should be varnished or oiled. The surface treatment plays a major role in parquet flooring. It protects the parquet from moisture and dirt.
Furthermore, the surface finish gives the parquet an individual touch. Generally speaking, neither of the two types can be preferred over the other. Therefore, it depends on your personal preferences. Above all, the cleaning and maintenance of the two types differs. Read a little further down to find out more about the cleaning and care of oiled and lacquered parquet.
Pattern and appearance of parquet flooring
Here is the rule: every parquet floor is unique! You can choose from many patterns, wood types and combinations. The best way to do this is to look at photos on the internet or ask the staff in a specialist shop for advice.
Cleaning and care
When cleaning and caring for a parquet floor, it depends on whether the floor is mirrored or oiled. A lacquered parquet floor is generally easier to maintain. The cleaning itself does not differ between the two types. You can vacuum the parquet weekly and clean dirt with a damp cloth. For more information on how to care for and clean a parquet floor, you can read a little further down.
Facts worth knowing about parquet floors
How do I care for parquet floors?
To keep your parquet floor beautiful for a lifetime, here are a few tips on how you should treat your parquet floor:
- Place a mat in front of the door so that you do not bring dirt into your home.
- Be careful not to walk on the parquet floor with shoes covered in stones or sand.
- Stick felt under the legs of tables, chairs and other furniture. This will prevent the floor from being scratched.
- Make sure that no water gets onto the parquet.
- Ensure a balanced room climate with few temperature fluctuations so that the floor does not expand and contract too often.
If you have a sealed parquet floor, it is advisable to have the surface sanded after 12-15 years. An oiled parquet floor should be re-oiled every one to four years, depending on the condition of the floor.
How do I clean parquet floors?
You should clean a sealed parquet floor regularly with a damp cloth and a hoover. The cloth should not be too wet. If the floor is very dirty, you can add a pH-neutral cleaning agent to the cleaning water. Never use steel wool.
It is an absolute no-go to clean the oiled parquet floor with a microfibre cloth!
You can also clean an oiled parquet floor with a hoover or a cloth. You can also add moisturising wood floor soap to the cleaning water.
How do I sand parquet floors?
If you are sure that your parquet floor is ready to be sanded, you must first decide whether you want to do it yourself or hire a craftsman. When making your decision, you should bear in mind that sanding is not easy and requires the right tools.
Image source: flickr.com / Marco Verch
Why you can trust me?
Most popular
Related posts
