How to maintain parquet floors

Parquet flooring is a great addition to any home in the UAE. For one, it’s stunning to behold thanks to its mosaic of geometric designs. Secondly, it makes a statement. Homeowners have a choice of customising the materials, grains and colouring of parquet floors before installation which ensures that no two rooms look alike. There is, therefore, no doubt that you will want your investment to look as beautiful as the day it was laid out. Keeping up with parquet flooring maintenance can help you make it last for a long period of time. Here are some tips that can help you keep your floors in good shape.

What is parquet flooring?

Parquet is a type of flooring made from wooden strips or blocks that form a pattern. In some cases, the floor may feature inlays made from other types of material.

• In terms of structure, parquet floors can be categorised into solid, engineered varieties and overlays.
• As the term implies, the solid variety is made from solid wood while engineered types are created from several layers of hardwood.
• Parquet overlays, on the other hand, are made from thinner pieces of wood — a popular variety for homeowners considering that they can be installed over existing floors. 

Choose good quality parquet flooring 

The first step in parquet flooring maintenance comes long before it has been installed. With this end in mind, it’s wise to choose an option that exudes quality as opposed to cheaper alternatives that scratch easily and need a good rub-down more regularly. 

The flooring comes in different types depending on the type of wood it’s made of, colour, number of knots and colour. For example, a traditional parquet floor or solid wood parquet is known for retaining its beauty throughout the years. The floor varies in thickness and is installed before being sanded, waxed, varnished, oiled and polished. 

To ensure that your investment withstands wear and tear for longer consider parquet flooring cost. We recommend opting for a pricier grade; preferably one that comes with a warranty. 

Make sure that the flooring has been cleaned immediately after installation too. Sure the installation company may have done their due diligence in this regard, but it doesn’t hurt to dust off the tiny specks of debris that they may have missed out. As for where to buy parquet flooring, make sure it’s from reputable parquet floor suppliers in Dubai or any other emirate you live in.

Parquet flooring maintenance tips

Cleaning parquet flooring regularly will make it last for longer. Homeowners may use these tips to keep parquet floors in top shape for longer.

Mop up spills immediately

Accidents happen, especially on days when you entertain guests. A guest may spill a glass of wine or a plate of food on your newly installed parquet floor. 

In cases like this, keep in mind; nothing damages wooden flooring more than moisture. And while most wood layouts are treated to be water-resistant to some degree, homeowners must still wipe up any spills to prevent warping. So, make sure that you are quick on the clean-up. 

Use a light cleaning solution

It might be tempting to remove stains with a harsh cleaning agent, in case they do happen to occur, from your parquet floors; but that’s certainly not a good idea. A harsh chemical may make the original stain disappear but it might replace it with a new one. To avoid this, use a non-abrasive cleaner that is specifically formulated for parquet floors. If all else fails, don’t be afraid to reach out to a professional for help. 

Preventive measures

Oftentimes, prevention is better than cure. To ensure that your parquet floor lasts for a long time to come, follow these parquet floor maintenance tips:

Protect the floor from furniture 

You may need to rearrange your furniture at some point. However, sliding the sofas, chairs or tables on your parquet floor may scuff it and leave lasting damage. To avoid this, buy felt pads and cover the feet of the furniture to prevent marks if it needs to be dragged across the parquet floor. Don’t have that option? Go DIY and use old socks, business cards, plastic bags or other soft materials to cushion the impact between the floor and furniture instead. 

Rearrange furniture regularly

Rearrange the furniture on your parquet flooring on a regular basis. This will age your floor evenly and spread out the foot traffic on areas previously covered by a sofa or a rug. Also, while you can’t move the windows, you can, however, get them treated to protect the delicate floor from harmful UV rays. 

Trim your pet’s claws

You can ask your guest to remove their shoes before walking on your new parquet floor. But the four-legged member of the family, like a pet cat or dog, will need a nail-trim to prevent them from leaving scratches behind on the wooden flooring.

Keep a cleaning schedule

Regular clean-ups are important — they prevent tiny dirt particles and scratches from ruining the finishing on your wooden floor. A weekly, monthly, yearly and daily cleaning schedule will help you cover everything from gentle to more extensive clean-ups. For instance, sweep your parquet floors every day and pay more attention to it on weekends with a vacuum and mop.

Polish the parquet floor every month and order a deep-clean on an annual basis. We recommend hiring a professional service — preferably the company that originally laid the floor out, for monthly and annual cleaning. 

Soft cleaning materials, like brooms and mops, are best for keeping your parquet floor texture in pristine condition. Avoid corrosive cleaning solutions, or tools like bristled brushes, to avoid scratching the material. 

Use a rug in high-traffic areas

Parquet flooring has a tendency to wear out due to heavy use. High traffic areas may look aged and wear out faster as a result. A few well-placed rugs on these areas can reduce the pressure on your floor. Also, avoid walking on your parquet flooring while wearing high heels or other types of shoes that may damage it.  The best remedy during parties is to offer guests comfortable slippers that are easier on your floor. 

Install in areas with less furniture

Ideally, the parquet flooring installation must be done in areas where there is less furniture. Not only does this help you show off the new floor, but it also prevents unnecessary damage. 

If you have opted for parquet floors for your home, you will want it to look as presentable as the day it was laid out. Following our parquet flooring maintenance tips on a regular basis can help you avoid expensive parquet floor repair and keep your investment looking beautiful. 

That’s all for our tips on maintaining parquet floors. Keep in mind, you won’t need to rely on professional parquet flooring restoration if you maintain it regularly yourself. Have you recently installed the flooring in your UAE home? Drop us a comment and tell us how you see to its upkeep.

Till then, use the flooring as an add-on to our décor tips for your guest bedroom. For a more impressive effect, learn how to incorporate jewel tones for your home décor. Do you prefer other flooring options? Weighing the pros as well as cons of carpets and tiles for your home can help you decide which option will add that special something to your decor. 

For more updates, stay tuned for more tips on homes on MyBayut.