Parquet board. Rules for using parquet boards and the nuances of caring for them Products for daily care of parquet boards

From this article you will learn:

What methods of laying parquet boards exist?
How to lay parquet boards yourself

Repairs in Moscow need to be taken seriously. You need to clearly decide on the type of flooring that you would like.

Using parquet as a floor covering is not only good way declare your wealth and status. This is also an opportunity to demonstrate to others that you have excellent taste. In addition, parquet as a covering is very reliable, environmentally friendly and has a long service life. Previously, to lay parquet, you had to work hard and have certain skills. Now, thanks to the advent of massive parquet boards, everything has become somewhat simpler. If you follow the recommendations of specialists, the installation process will not pose any particular difficulties for you. Today we will talk about how to lay parquet boards.

On this moment There are two types of parquet boards on sale: solid and multilayer. The difference between them is the manufacturing method.

massive parquet boards are made from different breeds wood, both deciduous and coniferous. But to create it, a single piece of wood is taken. Grooves and ridges are made along the ends of the board.
During production multilayer Several types of wood are used for parquet boards, and each of them has its own advantages. Thanks to this combination, the result is a parquet board with high performance characteristics. So, upper layer parquet is made from hard and valuable wood, because it will be “responsible” for the appearance of the floor. The middle layer of plates is placed at an angle of 90 degrees to the top, using soft wood. The purpose of this layer is to act as connecting element both for this particular panel and for those adjacent to it. The material for the bottom layer is plywood, as well as pine or spruce slats up to 4 mm thick.

Parquet boards for laying go on sale only after applying a special coating and impregnation to it, which protects it from rotting and the formation of fungus. Keep in mind: whether the board is multi-layered or massive, its service life depends not only on production technology and storage rules, but also on correct installation. You cannot influence the first and second in any way, but the third point can be easily controlled. Or even lay the parquet boards yourself.

But for something like this flooring was durable and served you for a long time, it is not enough to be able to work well with your hands. It is necessary to carry out some kind of preparatory work. You must also strictly comply with all conditions. technological process. What points should you pay attention to here first?

Firstly, inspect the base on which the parquet boards will be laid. Not acceptable various kinds cracks, crevices and depressions. The base must be level and strong, and also without a significant difference in height. 2 mm per linear meter is the maximum that can be allowed. Substrates that do not meet the requirements must be repaired or completely redone.
Secondly, the parquet board should “adapt” to your apartment - more precisely, to its microclimate. Therefore, after purchasing a board, it is not recommended to immediately begin laying it. Wait at least two days.
Third, an important condition For successful installation of parquet boards, the level of humidity in the room is important. High humidity has a detrimental effect on this material, and therefore you should not lay parquet in the bathroom, toilet or kitchen.
Fourth, again about humidity. During work, it is advisable to maintain a certain level (from 35 to 65 percent). The temperature must not be lower than 18 degrees Celsius. Compliance with these conditions will allow the coating to become more durable and increase its service life.
And lastly by list, but not by value. When laying parquet boards, you should never forget about the underlay and waterproofing. Moreover, the features of the room and the foundation do not play a role here; this must be done in any case.

In addition one little advice: Do not place the parquet board perpendicular to the rays of light. In this case, shadows will be clearly visible at the joints.

How to lay parquet boards in different ways

Well-known manufacturing companies (Barlinek, Tarkett, Kahrs and others) are constantly trying to improve their products. Moreover, they work not only on appearance products, but also on methods that can significantly simplify the installation process. More and more new locking systems are being released. There are several main types:

A connection considered classic when the tenons fit into the grooves.
The planks are connected at an angle of 10-30 degrees, after which the plates are fastened together by pressing.
This is a volumetric fixation system. There are several types of them, the names and basic characteristics may not be the same, but the principle of connecting the elements is the same. A “tongue” made of dense PVC or aluminum is built into the end lock. In another case, it may simply be an additional insert. Be that as it may, thanks to such fixation, the entire coupling becomes more rigid and durable, and the service life of the parquet increases. This system also prevents the divergence of the slats due to seasonal changes in the environment.

Depending on what locking system is present on the products, the method of laying parquet boards is also chosen. When purchasing flooring material, be sure to check whether it is in stock. detailed instructions on installation. If the product is of high quality, it must be included with the packaging.

How to assemble multi-layer wood covering?

There are several methods the most popular:

Laying parquet boards on joists.
Fastening with nails.
Laying on a rough wooden floor.
Method using glue.
A floating method in which parquet boards are connected using a lock.

Lock system in Lately is used most often. This method of laying parquet boards is convenient for both large and small rooms. Glue, on the contrary, is used less and less in such work. The fact is that laying parquet using this method is a very labor-intensive job, taking a lot of time and requiring perseverance.

Solid parquet is attached to subfloor mostly using nails. But this method is gradually becoming a thing of the past. If you lay parquet boards on joists, the distance between the latter should not exceed 30-40 cm, and this is not very profitable financially. And the process itself is also quite labor-intensive. But one of the advantages of the floating method of laying parquet boards is that all the work can be done with your own hands.

To decide which installation method is best for you, let's take a closer look at some of them.

Floating method

Many people have little idea how to lay parquet boards on a concrete floor using this method. Let's sort it out in order. Initially, they are rigidly attached to the floor plywood sheets 20 mm thick. Waterproofing is placed on top, for which 200 micron polyethylene can be used. It is necessary that the entire surface is covered with waterproofing. To do this, polyethylene is overlapped, with an overlap of 15-20 cm. The joints are glued together with tape. The film should also extend onto the walls - approximately 10-15 cm. Thick polyethylene foam, polystyrene foam or cork mats should be placed on top of the waterproofing. In the first case, the substrate, like the waterproofing, is overlapped and glued with tape. In the second and third mats, the mats must be placed end-to-end, but staggered.

Sheets of plywood should also be placed staggered, leaving a distance of up to 5 mm between them. It should be 10-15 mm from the walls. Parquet floors in a room can be installed in two ways: parallel and diagonal. In the latter case, a little more material will be needed. Before you start laying parquet boards, do everything necessary calculations: how much material is needed, which direction will be optimal. You need to plan everything so that the slabs in the last row do not seem too narrow compared to the rest. Connect parquet boards using tenons and grooves intended for them. Remember that between the wall and the parquet you need to leave a distance of 1.5-3 cm for the expansion of the material.

When laying the first row of boards, remove the tenons facing the wall. Direct the tenon of the next die under acute angle into the groove of the previous one, lay the board on the base and use a hammer (through a block!) to achieve a tight connection with its neighbor. Place wedges between the first row and the wall.

When laying the second row of parquet boards, move the end seams by a third of the length of the dies. This is called staggered installation. To start, make the first board in the second row 1/3 shorter. Assemble the row completely, then join it with the first one. Also insert the tenons of the boards into the grooves at an acute angle and seal the joint by tapping it through the block with a hammer.

By the way, you can choose the take-off step at your discretion. But if you decide to make it exactly like this, then the first board in the third row needs to be shortened by 2/3 of the length. In the fourth row, all the dies are of their original size. In the future, follow the same cycle for laying parquet boards.

Most likely, you will have to saw off the last row of dies to the desired width. At the same time, do not forget to leave a distance between the parquet and the wall. After this, remove the wedges and attach the skirting boards, under which the expansion gaps will not be visible.

One important nuance. To make the joints stronger, the grooves between the boards can be glued. But, on the other hand, if you need to replace one of the boards, this will cause certain difficulties.

Adhesive

With this method of laying parquet boards, you first need to firmly screw moisture-resistant plywood to the screed. Then glue is applied to it with a notched trowel, preferably two-component polyurethane. When working with glue, keep in mind that it is toxic, although after drying it is completely safe for humans. Small sheets of backing are placed staggered on a concrete base. The distance between them and the walls should be no more than 5 mm. Next, all the parquet boards are placed on the glue - using the same technology as with the floating installation method.

Before starting work, it is best to draw a diagram according to which in the future you will glue the parquet boards to the plywood. The difference from the previous laying method is that the boards are not assembled in rows, but are attached one at a time. Glue must be applied both to the plywood and to the dies; the grooves at the ends of the boards must also be filled with this composition.

Then we proceed according to the principle described earlier: we attach the board to the previous one using a lock, level it and compact it with a hammer and wooden block. We additionally strengthen the panels with pneumatic nails into the groove, but in such a way as not to interfere with the connection. Glue will appear on the surface; it should be removed immediately. We fill the distance between the walls and the parquet with cork. Then we prime the entire surface of the floor, cover it with oil and wax or varnish. We attach plinths along the walls.

This method of laying parquet boards is used mainly for rooms with a large area.

Using fasteners

How to properly lay parquet boards using this method? Just like when laying using the floating method, waterproofing and insulation are necessary concrete screed. The boards are connected according to the same pattern. The only difference is that you can lay dies with a thickness of more than 20 mm. It is permissible to attach the parquet both to a wooden base lying on the joists, and to the joists themselves. If you decide to use the latter option, keep in mind: the joists must be wide enough so that the joints of the parquet boards can be placed in the middle without any problems. The optimal distance between the logs is from 30 to 40 cm.

They are attached to the concrete base through the insulation strictly horizontally, using self-tapping screws and dowels. The dies are connected to the logs with nails or self-tapping screws, the length of which exceeds the thickness of the boards by 2-2.5 times. To ensure that nothing interferes with installation, they need to be installed in the grooves of the boards at an angle of 45 degrees.

How to lay a parquet board with your own hands

To work you need to have the following:

Waterproofing film with a thickness of 200 microns.
Combined or coniferous PE substrate, 2-3 mm thick. Another one will do, but the manufacturer must be the same as that of the parquet.
A block to compact the boards, a mallet.
Tool for fixing joints (for laying parquet boards with 5G locks).
A metal staple or wringer for laying the last row.
Glue-sealant, carpentry or PVA.
Plastic wedges for gaps between parquet and walls.
Hacksaw or jigsaw.
Construction pencil, tape measure and square.
Level and hygrometer.
Adhesive or strengthening primer.
If necessary, use a notched trowel, screwdriver, air gun or hammer.

Preparing the base

First you need to get rid of all the old foundations. Then take measurements and determine whether the floor needs to be leveled. If yes, then there are two options to prepare the surface for laying parquet boards:

Use gypsum or cement-gypsum self-leveling self-leveling floors.
Assemble a screed from plywood, chipboard or others.

Having prepared the base for laying, check it for humidity using a hygrometer, and with a long strip (more than 2 m) for evenness. Small flaws can be filled with quick-drying mixtures or cemented.

The next step is primer:

If the parquet boards will be laid using glue, use adhesive compounds.
If you plan to use the floating method, you need strengthening mixtures.

Is the installation base made of wood? Then you need to cut off all the irregularities from it (you can use a parquet sander). Fill the depressions with elastic putty. If the boards “walk”, tighten the subfloor to the base with screws or nails. If there are many defects, it will be easier to make a new screed from chipboard or plywood with a thickness of more than 16 mm. Treat the surface with an antifungal primer.

Preparing for work

The surface is prepared. The next stage of work will be laying waterproofing and backing material on it. Spread the film overlapping, the overlap should be 15-25 cm. Tape the joints with tape. Attach a backing (sheet or roll) on top. Place it end to end. If you are planning to lay parquet boards glue method, you need to skip this step.

After purchasing the material, give it time to “get used” to the microclimate of the room; this usually takes from 24 to 36 hours. If the apartment has a “warm floor”, then it would be good to turn on the heating system for two weeks, and turn it off 3-4 hours before starting work. This maneuver creates an ideal climate for laying the parquet boards and at the same time prevents thermal damage to the final finish.

One important point. If, when opening packages with parquet board You will find that some items are slightly different in color and texture, that's okay. Wood is a natural product, and therefore this sometimes happens. Turn this to your advantage by making an interesting design out of the boards.

Before starting work, be sure to draw up a diagram of the future installation, preferably to scale. The last row must be at least 5 cm wide.

Flooring installation

When laying parquet boards using the floating method, start work from the very long wall, clockwise. Leave space around the perimeter of the room for expansion wedges. According to experts, it is better to do this after laying the first three rows of parquet: move the boards using a bracket and insert wedges into the resulting gaps.

Next, cut off the tenons facing the wall on the boards in the first row. Place the first tile in the corner and begin assembling the ends. If the last die is bigger size than necessary, cut it. Start laying the second row with the remainder of the lamella of the first. If you are planning to lay a parquet board with a classic Click-lock, then after connecting the slabs at the end, fasten them along their length, be sure to tap them with a mallet or hammer through the block.

By the way, work with systems locks Lock and 5G is much more convenient. All thanks to the ability to join them both lengthwise and crosswise.

There are volumetric locks for which you do not need to adjust the plastic insert. Just snap the plates together and it's done.

You'll have to tinker a little with the last row of dies. It is unlikely that they will fit perfectly in size, and therefore they will need to be trimmed. After this, the tiles are fastened at the ends and joined to the last row. Be sure to press the laid parquet boards using a metal clamp or wringer.

It happens that a pipe or something else interferes with the even laying of the parquet board. In this case, mark the cutting line on the die, saw off a piece along it and drill a hole with a margin of 1–1.6 cm. Place the board in the desired place, apply an adhesive compound to the cut and glue it.

After installation is completed, remove the wedges and turn on the “warm floor” system (the temperature must be increased gradually). Secure the skirting boards and mount door sills. By the way, the required gaps in doorways- Manufacturers' requirement.

As a finishing touch, it would be a good idea to treat the floor using special products for parquet boards. The wax contained in these mixtures seals well the joints between the boards.

How to lay parquet boards on heated floors

The parquet floor itself has remarkable thermal insulation properties, plus, the cold is not allowed to pass through by the substrate. But sometimes it is still necessary additional heating. In such cases, the parquet boards are laid directly on the “warm floor”.

True, not every system will fit here. If there are no problems with water heating, then electric flooring is incompatible with parquet boards. Such a “warm floor” heats up too quickly, a sharp temperature change occurs, as a result of which the tile locks begin to crack.

Laying parquet tiles on a “warm floor” should be done only after it has been turned off and cooled to room temperature. Upon completion of the work, the system can be turned on no earlier than a week later, and its temperature must be increased gradually, no more than 2-3 degrees per day. It is also very important that the floor is heated evenly, otherwise the parquet board may “sink.”

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When choosing flooring for your home, modern people often prefer to use traditional and time-tested materials, such as parquet or parquet boards, while rejecting existing new-fangled trends. Let's consider the basic requirements and recommendations on the correct caring for parquet boards.
Without a doubt, the floor, the flooring of which is a parquet board, has a pattern natural wood and a perfect smooth surface that will attract people's views. In addition, parquet flooring is practically the most durable coating for finishing residential premises.
However, in order for the coating to maintain its effectiveness, as well as for it to have the longest service life, certain conditions are created for the parquet. In addition, owners of premises finished with parquet boards must be able to properly care for this coating. Only in this way is it possible to preserve the original cloud and the unique charm of the coating.

Application of parquet boards, structure and distinctive qualities

Are there any differences between parquet and parquet boards? Traditional parquet is made from wood. The most common type is three-layer parquet board. The first, top layer is valuable wood, the second layer is pine needles, and the third is a plywood plate that is capable of not allowing moisture to pass through.

Thanks to the top wooden layer of valuable wood, the parquet board impresses with its beautiful appearance and durability. The thickness of this layer affects not only the cost of the parquet board, but also its durability.

A parquet board made using modern technologies has many qualities that natural solid wood has (the presence of a unique pattern, natural colors), and sometimes even surpasses it. The superiority of parquet boards over natural wood is the ease of installation. Laying parquet boards takes less time than laying parquet.

The parquet board is installed by simply snapping the connecting locks.

The cost of parquet boards is much less than the price of parquet, which is why this finishing material is very popular among Russian consumers. The cost of a parquet board can be less if, when producing it, the top layer is made not from solid wood, but from glued pieces. Such boards are called:

Two-way;
Three-lane;
Four-lane.

Thanks to the variety of colors and textures of parquet boards, a special atmosphere is created in any room: residential buildings, offices, apartments. Laying parquet boards, for the manufacture of which oak, acacia, beech, maple and other exotic tree species were used, can emphasize the individuality of the owner, his unique charm and exquisite taste.

The floor covering - parquet boards, has the following positive qualities:

It is highly water resistant.
Excellent resistance to rotting.
It is distinguished by its constant size, that is, minimal deformation, since under the influence of humidity and temperature the layers are able to restrain each other.
Not susceptible to cracks or chips.
Easy and quick to install.
Has high soundproofness.
Does not require additional surface treatment after installation. Processing is carried out at manufacturing plants.
Variety of designs.

Conditions necessary when arranging a subfloor

To ensure the long service life of the parquet flooring, as well as to prevent problems with it, it is necessary to comply with certain conditions at the stage of arranging the subfloor, which is the basis for the parquet floor.

One of the main functions of the subfloor (multilayer substrate) is maximum insulation of the floor covering from moisture penetration.

Ensuring sound insulation of premises, since impact and airborne noise can have a destructive effect on parquet flooring.

Ensuring proper thermal insulation significantly reduces heat losses premises (about 20%).

The base for laying parquet must have a strictly horizontal position. In addition, it is necessary to ensure its evenness (unevenness in height should not exceed 2 mm).

Anyone can lay parquet boards, because they can be assembled by simply clicking the connecting locks. The great advantage of this flooring is the fact that it can be used immediately after installation. It does not need to be sanded, scraped, or coated. protective compounds, since all this is done in the factory.

How to lay parquet boards correctly

When laying parquet boards, the following conditions must be observed:

Experienced builders recommend that after purchasing a parquet board, leave it for several days in the room where it will be installed. During this time, the parquet board will have time to adapt to the temperature and humidity levels in the room. This will make laying the flooring much easier. In addition, the duration of its service will increase.

For parquet flooring optimal values room temperatures will be 18 - 24°C, and relative humidity– 40-60%. It is desirable that these parameters be maintained during the operation of the coating indoors. Therefore, it is necessary to provide humidification and air conditioning for both people and finishing materials.

If the parquet board is laid on “warm floors”, it is important to observe additional parameters:

It is necessary to monitor the surface temperature of the coating, which should not exceed +24°C, and daily differences should not be more than 5°C.
It is necessary to ensure that the temperature is as uniform as possible over the entire surface of the coating.

To be more precise, experts generally do not recommend laying parquet flooring on a “warm floor” system.

Protective films for parquet boards and their varieties

In modern construction practice protective coatings for parquet flooring are:

Special varnishes for parquet.
Various oil-wax compositions.

Parquet varnishes

Parquet varnishes are capable of forming a hard and durable layer on a parquet board. They can be based on water or synthetic solvents.

Varnishes based on classic synthetic solvents, until they harden, emit strong odors that can cause suffocation and the development of allergic reactions. For this reason, they are applied to parquet boards in factories, subject to all necessary conditions (some wear-resistant varnishes require ultraviolet lighting for fixation).

Using and applying parquet varnish...

To improve the water resistance of parquet flooring, it is recommended to apply an additional layer of varnish after laying the floor. But at the same time, it is necessary that there is no one in the room until the varnish has dried.

Oil-wax compositions for parquet

In order to protect parquet flooring from external influences, you can use oil-wax mixtures that will penetrate deep into the wood, fill the pores, as a result of which it will acquire a unique look. In addition, the compositions are able to emphasize the uniqueness of the wood used.

Oil-wax compositions used to protect wood were born many centuries ago, but have not lost their relevance. If you properly care for your floor covering, you should coat it with these compounds at least once a year. You don't need any special skills for this job as it is a simple procedure.

First, you need to apply an even layer of oil, and a mixture of oil and wax is applied to it. These compositions are harmless to human health since the components are environmentally friendly. Recommended use linseed oil or oils from Chinese wood, and wax is of plant or animal origin.

When switching from using an oil-wax layer of protection to a varnish layer, first the wax mixture is completely removed, for which the coating is sanded. Then a primer is applied to the parquet board, and varnish is applied to it. Otherwise, the varnish will not adhere to the surface of the coating.

Proper operation and care conditions for parquet boards

It is prohibited to place flower pots on the floor covering, if it is a parquet board, as condensation will form there.

Parquet flooring requires certain care, which consists of ensuring protection of the coating from mechanical stress that is possible during cleaning and operation:

The abrasive effects of sand carried in from the street by shoes are contraindicated for parquet boards, so a protective area is arranged before entering the room. In this case, it is advisable to use two types of mats: hard - which removes solid particles from the sole of shoes, and soft - which absorbs liquid dirt (which is most important in the autumn-winter period of the year). It is better to take off your outdoor shoes at this point.

It is best to glue felt pads or other soft cloth. If the furniture is on casters, place transparent plastic mats underneath it.

To maintain cleanliness in rooms where the flooring is parquet, it is better to use a regular vacuum cleaner. Occasionally, you can wipe the floors with a damp soft cloth with your hands or a mop.

Do not pour liquid onto the floor covering. Used to clean the most contaminated areas. special means, which are designed specifically for the protection of decorative floor coverings.

To wash parquet flooring, do not use cleaning or cleaning agents. detergents for dishes, solvents and thinners for paints, gasoline or alcohol. On extreme case The use of mild detergents is acceptable.

Using an oil-wax coating when caring for parquet

Oil-wax compositions for parquet floor coverings differ from parquet varnishes in that they do not form an outer film. They only fill the pores of the wood, which protects it from the penetration of moisture and various contaminants.

To restore an oil-soaked parquet board, you only need to sand the damaged area and then coat it with oil again. Such repairs are carried out within 24 hours.

Wet cleaning of parquet floors treated with oil impregnations is carried out using aqueous soap solutions.

The floor is wiped with a damp cloth parallel to the wood fibers. This cleaning is carried out as the coating becomes dirty. The floor dries within half an hour. It is then polished using universal products that have the dual function of protecting and cleaning the parquet.

Parquet flooring, which is subject to increased loads, is renewed twice a year. In a room where residents wear slippers, the coating is updated once a year, maybe less often. In this case, use oil intended for periodic maintenance of parquet flooring.

The hygiene of flooring made from parquet boards treated with wax is carried out using the dry cleaning method. Waxed floors should only be treated with products that contain solvents or wax. If you use soap solutions, which contain alkalis, the color of the coating may change.

At making the right choice techniques for caring for parquet flooring protected with oils or wax, they will serve several generations of home owners. But its main advantages are the following:

The coating does not need to be sanded.
Wood dust, which is harmful to human health, does not rise.
You won’t have to choke on the pungent smell of varnish.

Caring for such a coating involves the use of cleaning compounds that do not require polishing - the floor is only wiped with a cloth.

Implementation of preventive measures

It is necessary to treat the floor covering made of parquet boards using a composition of oil and wax in the first year after installation once every three months. The procedure is performed in the following order:

The floor is washed clean and should dry thoroughly within 6-7 hours.
The parquet board is soaked in oil using a special brush. Excess oil that is not absorbed is removed after 5 minutes with dry wipes.
A protective layer of wax is applied to the parquet board one day after treating it with oil.
When performing wet cleaning of parquet flooring, you need to add soluble protective wax to the water.
At the end of the first year of operation of the parquet flooring, its treatment is carried out if necessary.

It is better to purchase parquet flooring care products from one manufacturer.

Using varnished coating when caring for parquet boards

To eliminate traces of contamination that occur during use on the varnished surface of a parquet board, “cleaners” are used, which are special cleaning agents. Some of them are concentrates that are diluted with water before use, while others are produced ready-to-use and enclosed in aerosol containers.

The compositions are chemically neutral to varnish compositions. All major manufacturers of parquet products have a range of cleaners that can be used to clean varnished parquet floors. In order to preserve and protect the varnish coating, the use of polishes is recommended.

Varnish coatings for parquet boards.

Even if the parquet varnish is wear-resistant, after some time microcracks, abrasions and other unpleasant defects will certainly appear on its surface. For a longer service life, experts recommend applying a layer of protective coating to varnished parquet flooring at certain intervals.

This point requires serious attention from pet owners, since their claws can ruin the top layer of coating in a short time. In addition, urea can leave stains on wood and destroy the varnish layer of parquet boards.

Polishes containing wax.
Substances that have a composition similar to highly diluted varnish. They must be diluted with water before use.

Preventive measures for processing parquet boards

To remove stains and restore lost shine to parquet flooring with a varnished surface, it is recommended to use a special composition called a “freshener”.

To protect against the destructive effects of moisture, the coating is polished every two months.

To eliminate local abrasion of the varnish layer, you can use a spray varnish. It is best to carry out a complete renewal of the varnish coating of a parquet board after 12 years of operation, however, these periods depend on the load placed on the coating.

You have read the information on how to properly care for parquet flooring, so feel free to plan to install it in your office or living space.

Having learned what a parquet board is, having learned its structure, features of operation, proper care of it, and by following the rules described above, you can be sure: the parquet board floor you have laid will serve you faithfully for many years and will provide moral and Aesthetic pleasure.

Basic methods of laying parquet boards

Parquet boards are laid using either the floating floor method or the method of rigidly attaching the board to the base.

1. Floating floor method consists of connecting parquet boards to each other without fixing them to the base of the floor. The boards are assembled into a single layer, which lies freely on the backing - a special compensating material located between the base and the parquet floor. This method is the most common, but like any other method it has its strengths and weaknesses.

Main advantages:

high speed of the assembly process - laying 30 m2 of boards takes no more than one day;

minimizing costs - the cost of the finished floor consists only of the cost of the board, underlay and parquet work;

lower requirements for the professionalism of the layer - laying the boards can be carried out even on our own;

the possibility of reusing the board - a glueless connection allows you to partially or completely dismantle the parquet floor and lay it again.

Main disadvantages:

insufficient reliability - the mobility of the parquet layer can lead to deformation over time lock connection and violation of the integrity of the structure;

When restoring parquet, it will be almost impossible to properly polish its surface. The absence of a rigid attachment to the base will not allow this to be done evenly over the entire area;

possible discomfort during operation - movement of the floating floor in vertical plane under short-term loads they lead to the sound of footsteps characteristic of a floating floor and, over time, to the appearance of a squeak.

2. Method of rigid attachment to the base involves gluing each parquet board to a specially prepared subfloor. While drying adhesive composition the boards are additionally fixed with parquet nails or staples to enhance the strength of the entire structure. This method also has its advantages and disadvantages.

Main advantages:

high reliability of the design - the glued structure of the “parquet cake” will give additional reliability and durability to the floor;

good repairability - the structural integrity of the parquet floor will allow for high-quality repair of its surface;

high level comfort - the appearance of creaking or loud footsteps when walking on the floor is almost completely eliminated.

Main disadvantages:

high demands on the professionalism of the installer - installation of parquet boards by non-professionals will significantly increase the risk of a failed result;

higher level of costs - will need to be purchased Additional materials and pay for the services of professional parquet floorers;

time-consuming - layer-by-layer installation technology will require significantly more time than assembling a floor using a floating method;

thickness of the “parquet cake” - an additional layer of plywood will increase the height of the parquet floor.

Preparatory stage of work

Before starting the main stage of work, a number of important preparatory activities should be carried out.

1. Preparing the base

Requirements for the base for laying boards in a floating manner. Old wooden, tile or stone floors, a base made of concrete or self-leveling mixtures, etc. can be used as a base for parquet boards. Textile coverings (carpet, linoleum, carpet) are not suitable as a base material. Regardless of the type of base used, it must be level, dry, durable and clean. The evenness of the base is checked over the entire area of the upcoming installation, using a rule of at least 2 meters in length. The clearance between the base and the rule should not exceed 2-3 mm over a length of 2000 mm. If necessary, the base should be leveled or sanded in accordance with the specified requirements. The moisture content in a concrete or sand-cement base should not exceed 2%. Heated floors should be used as a base with extreme caution. The heating temperature of the base surface should in no case exceed +27 °C. Fluctuations in floor temperature during the day should remain within 5 °C. It is not recommended to lay parquet boards made of wood species that are especially sensitive to changes in humidity and temperature, such as beech, maple, olive or wenge, on heated floors.

Requirements for the base for laying boards using the rigid fastening method. Just like for a floating floor, the base for rigid fastening of the parquet board must be dry, level, clean and durable. In addition, it should be as suitable as possible for complete surface gluing of parquet and be able to reliably hold nails or screws inside it. The ideal base is moisture-resistant plywood, comparable in thickness to parquet boards. Plywood, in turn, must also be securely attached to a wooden or concrete base using glue and self-tapping screws. The surface of the plywood must be sanded, and the plywood itself must be laid in compliance with technological gap 5 mm wide between sheets. Attention! The use of “warm floor” systems under such a foundation is unacceptable.

2. Layout diagram

Before starting work, you need to make a choice laying directions parquet boards in every room. Usually the board is laid in the direction of daylight falling into the room. In elongated rooms, it is recommended to lay parquet boards in the longitudinal direction (material waste will be 3-5%). In rooms with complex geometric shapes, you can lay the board diagonally (material waste will be 7-10%). If the base is an old wooden floor, the parquet should be laid across the boards of this floor. Rooms with different laying directions must be separated by expansion joints, which are then closed with overhead thresholds.

3. Preparing materials and tools for work

Minimum set of tools. To lay parquet boards you will need the following tools: a saw with a thin blade, a hammer, a sharp knife, a marking square, a drill, a chisel, a tape measure, a pencil, a wooden or plastic hammer (at least 30 cm long with straight edges), wooden wedges, a spatula and mounting foot.

Preparing the board and related materials for use. Before starting work, prepare the parquet board for installation. It is recommended to keep unopened packages of parquet boards in the room where they will be installed for at least 3-5 days to better adapt the boards to the microclimate of the room. Parquet packs should only be opened as work progresses. Before laying the boards, you need to make sure that they have no defects. If a damaged board is found, it can be replaced with a board without flaws by contacting the seller, or used at the beginning or end of a row during the installation process. The room in which installation will take place must be well lit and have optimal performance temperature (18-24 °C) and air humidity (40-60%). Don't forget to prepare everything for work: the substrate and, if necessary, glue, plywood, hardware, rags for removing excess glue.

Important points to consider when laying parquet boards using the floating method

Before starting work, be sure to read the installation manual and operating rules for parquet boards drawn up by its manufacturer. Below are only general recommendations for laying parquet boards, and also list typical mistakes that inexperienced craftsmen make when carrying out installation work.

1. Brief step-by-step instructions for floating installation

First of all, you need to measure the width of the room and calculate how many rows of boards will be needed. If the width of the last row is less than 40 mm, cut the boards of the first row with a saw, reducing their width.

Spread the underlay on the base of the floor, if necessary, fastening adjacent sheets of material with adhesive tape so that they do not bend during installation.

Start laying from left to right (Fig. 1), from the solid wall of the room, placing the first board with the longitudinal tenon to the wall. The distance of 7-10 mm between the boards and the wall must be adjusted using wedges.

Install the next board with the short side facing the previous board. Connect the boards to each other tenon into groove (Fig. 2). Continue laying in this way until the end of the first row.

Using a saw, cut the last board of the row to size, taking into account the expansion joint, and lay it.

Start the next row (Fig. 5) with a piece cut from the last board laid. Adjacent boards should overlap each other by at least 30-50 cm (Fig. 3). For a tight connection, it is necessary to lightly knock adjacent boards together using a hammer and a hammer (Fig. 8). Attention! Do not use cutting boards as a support. Continue assembling the parquet board until you reach the last row.

The last row. Measure the width of the last row at several points (including the expansion joint), mark a cutting line and cut the boards to the appropriate size. Lay the boards down and press them firmly into place, for example using a jig. Place a protective pad between the wall and the mounting lug to prevent damage to the wall. Install spacer wedges.

Even after studying the instructions for laying parquet boards, many make typical mistakes and miscalculations, namely:

lay the parquet board on a poorly prepared base;

carry out installation work in a room with improper temperature and humidity conditions;

they are not satisfied with the technological seam at the border of the board with other floor coverings and when approaching vertical obstacles (walls, columns, built-in furniture);

when laying, use cutting boards of smaller than acceptable sizes;

leave the distance between the end joints of boards in adjacent rows less than 30 cm;

loosely connect the docking joint (tenon and groove) of the board.

Important points that must be taken into account when laying parquet boards using the method of rigid attachment to the base

1. Brief step-by-step installation instructions with gluing to the base

Once again, make sure the readiness and quality of the base, materials and tools for laying the board in this way.

Assemble the parquet boards in the same order as for assembling the boards using the floating method, first applying a layer of glue to the base or back of the board.

Press each glued board firmly to the base using nails or a heavy weight. Do not remove the load until the glue has completely dried.

Avoid contact of adhesives with oily or varnished surfaces. Immediately remove excess glue protruding onto the surface with a damp cloth, preventing it from drying out.

Do not subject the floor to heavy loads in the first few hours after installation until the adhesive has completely dried.

2. Main mistakes during installation work

The method of rigid attachment to the base requires much more experience in carrying out parquet work. But even professional parquet floorers sometimes make mistakes:

do not clean the base from dust and dirt, which leads to deterioration in the quality of gluing;

use low-quality, improperly prepared or unsuitable glue;

do not control glue consumption;

they do not press the boards tightly enough to the base, leaving “air pockets” between them;

do not remove glue residues from the surface of the board in a timely manner.

Summary

At the beginning of our article, we asked ourselves: what do you need to know and be able to do in order to get a beautiful, reliable and durable floor from a parquet board. It's time to take stock.

Laying parquet boards is a labor-intensive and responsible process that requires special knowledge and professional skills. Following the following rules will help you achieve success in this difficult task.

Choose the appropriate technology for laying parquet boards.

Purchase high-quality materials necessary for installation.

Prepare the base correctly.

Determine the laying direction.

Start laying parquet boards only after completing all wet work.

Entrust the execution of all the above points to professionals.

Laying boards on plywood

Plywood is the best reason for laying parquet boards. To improve the stability of the flooring, plywood must be laid in a certain way, namely: first, the plywood must be divided into small squares (or rectangles) with sides of approximately 50-80 cm, and then laid so that the joints between the plywood and the joints that will be between the boards , were at an angle of 45º relative to each other. That is, for example, if the board is planned to be laid parallel to the walls of the room, then the plywood should be laid diagonally (at an angle of 45º). The plywood is attached to the base (or to the joists) with self-tapping screws. For 1 sheet of plywood with a side of ≈ 60-70 cm, you will need 9 screws. And yet, between the sheets of plywood it is necessary to leave a gap of about 5-10 mm. This is necessary so that when the geometry of the plywood changes (natural expansion with increasing humidity), the sheets do not rub against each other and do not cause squeaking. A special material is laid between the plywood and the parquet board - a backing.

Laying parquet on a concrete base (screed)

Parquet can also be laid on a screed. In this case, it is necessary that the screed is strong, dry, even and clean. It is desirable that the compressive strength of the screed is not lower than 10 MPa. A special device is used to measure the strength of the screed. To check the evenness of the base, a two-meter perfectly level rule with a level is used. To lay parquet boards, it is desirable that the height difference along the plane does not exceed 2 mm. on 2 linear meters. The screed can be considered dry if its moisture content does not exceed 2%. If this indicator is higher, then you either need to wait until the screed dries, or use a special vapor barrier primer, for example, Berger Primer P. When laying boards on a screed, it is better to use Parkolag underlay, as it has good waterproofing properties and will prevent moisture from penetrating from the screed into the parquet. If the screed is dry, then when laying parquet you can use cork or synthetic underlays (for example, Tuplex), which do not have such good waterproofing.

Laying parquet boards on old parquet, ceramic tiles, linoleum, etc.

The big advantage of parquet boards (or laminate) is the ability to lay them on almost any flat surface. Laying a three-layer board, like many other floor coverings with a key joint, occurs in a “floating” way. This method does not require gluing the parquet to the base; the parquet is easily assembled and dismantled. Requirements for the base, be it old parquet, ceramic tile, or other old flooring, are no different from those we discussed above: the base must be smooth and clean (it should be vacuumed well before laying). It goes without saying that it should also be dry and durable. It is also important to choose the right substrate, since all substrates have different characteristics. We discussed the issue of choosing a parquet underlay in a separate article.