Types of parquet flooring: how to recognize a quality wood floor.

A room with real parquet flooring has an edge. Possible, however, only if it is quality.
Here’s how to recognize it.

A wood for parquet

A quality parquet floor is a matter of essence (i.e., wood species), thickness, finishes and certifications to standards: these are some of the characteristics that a parquet floor worthy of the name should have. Conditional obligatory since running into more or less extravagant variations on the theme is more recurrent than you might imagine. Arriving prepared before the choice and eventual purchase, however, is possible. You just need to know the sine qua non prerequisites that can ensure a truly long-lasting and durable parquet floor.

Types of wood

Different types of wood can be relied upon to make parquet flooring. Walnut, Oak, Chestnut, Cherry (and many more!): each wood essence boasts unique peculiarities, to be evaluated in terms of durability and aesthetic performance. Regarding the latter, there is a classification of the choice of wood elements-regulated by the UNI EN 13489 standard-by appearance. It consists of three categories, each marked by a geometric symbol: choice Extra – Circle, Nature – Triangle and Rustic – Square. Respectively, therefore:

EXTRA CHOICE

The parquet will have a regular wood grain, occasional small healthy knots called partridge eyes, and boards lacking sapwood (the softest and lightest part of the log). This choice is also known as “rigatino.”

NATURE CHOICE.

In choice nature, “flamed striped parquet” has slight color variations with evenly patterned grain, possible deviations, healthy knots of small size (up to eight millimeters in diameter) and sapwood.

RUSTIC CHOICE.

Full of cracks, knots and accentuated streaks with no specific size limit is the “rough” selection and therefore an inexpensive parquet.

How to choose a parquet floor

Is it the detail that makes the difference? Yes. Among the elements that increase the quality of real parquet is the special workmanship of the planks (bleaching, brushing, planing, biting, etc.) combined with elaborate weaves, unusual geometries or original decorations confirming the craftsmanship of the product and, as such, of particular value.

To choose the right parquet flooring, the first step will be to study the room in which it is to be laid, considering such elements as the size and brightness of the rooms and, of course, the stylistic requirements to be indulged.

Video Tutorial ” Guide to Collections”

Prefinished parquet or solid wood?

These are the most common types of parquet flooring. How do they differ? The thickness of the solid parquet planks is formed only from noble wood (such as Olive, Elm, Oak, Beech), carved from a single block as thick as twenty-two millimeters; in the case of prefinished (or multilayer) parquet, on the other hand, the wood planks have only the surface layer of noble wood (varying in thickness from 2.5 to 6 millimeters) glued to a wood backing of other wood species (Birch, the best, in terms of stability, Spruce, Poplar and Pine).

Berti uses only top-quality birch and fir wood substrates for its prefinished parquet floors.

Parquet thickness: elements to know

Another parameter that should not be underestimated in order to flaunt a quality parquet is, therefore, the thickness. That of prefinished parquet floors varies from seven to fifteen millimeters (with four millimeters of noble layer), solid floors exceed twenty millimeters. All must be able to count on finishes in excellent non-slip varnishes and valuable protective oils, which also intervene to guarantee durability.

To meet the different needs of performance, aesthetics and price range, Berti’s prefinished proposal is wide and articulated. It is possible to choose wood floors with up to three-layer structure.

2-LAYER PARQUET

They consist of a 4mm-thick surface layer of noble wood and a lower support layer (5.5mm or 9mm thick) of pressed birch wood consisting of a special cross-layered structure-5 to 7-that ensures maximum stability.

3 LAYER PARQUET

The 3-ply planks are composed of a top layer of 4mm-thick noble wood, an intermediate layer composed of 8mm-thick fir planks, arranged transversely to the fiber course of the noble layer so as to ensure proper structural flexibility, and a 2mm-thick fir plank counterbalance to ensure maximum stability of the planks.

Certified parquet flooring? Yes, thank you.

“Serious” parquet has a kind of identity card. This is specific documentation accompanying the product that certifies, for example, the origin of the wood, the place of processing, the possible presence of formaldehyde, the quality of the materials used on the finished product, and the reaction to fire. These “data sheets” are made available in the download section of the website. Parquet certifications are available with the intention of guiding the consumer to choose a certified quality parquet.

Some of Berti’s certifications

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