A Guide to Parquet Floor Restoration
Loose blocks, re-laying and the art of sanding patterns
A well-made parquet floor can outlive the house's kitchen, bathroom and windows several times over. Tired, loose or stained parquet can almost always be brought back, often for less than the cost of a new floor.
Common parquet problems
Blocks that move underfoot because the old adhesive has broken down.
Gaps where blocks have been lost or removed.
Dark stains from water, pets or plant pots.
Worn, yellowed or flaking varnish.
Uneven blocks that have lifted or sunk over time.
Fixing the blocks first
The first step is to make every block secure. Loose blocks are taken up, cleaned of old bitumen and glued back down with a modern adhesive. Missing blocks are replaced with reclaimed blocks of matching species and dimensions. In more serious cases, whole sections can be lifted, cleaned and re-laid in the original pattern. Our parquet repair service handles everything from a single block to entire rooms.
Sanding a parquet floor
Parquet is more demanding to sand than floorboards because the grain runs in different directions. Sanding with the grain is impossible when the grain changes direction with every block. Instead, the floor is sanded diagonally in both directions first, then finished with finer abrasives and a multi-disc machine to remove any swirl marks. The result is a flat, smooth surface that shows off the pattern.
Many parquet floors carry several layers of old finish. It takes skill to remove these without wasting the timber that gives parquet its long life. Our parquet floor sanding is carried out with dust-free extraction, capturing around 99% of dust at source.
Oil, lacquer or stain
Oak parquet looks wonderful with a natural hardwax oil, which highlights the pattern and is easy to maintain. For high-traffic areas, a durable water-based lacquer is often the most practical choice. Darker timbers such as merbau, iroko or walnut often look best with a clear finish that lets their natural colour show.
Different patterns, different approaches
Parquet comes in many patterns, and each has its own character and challenges. Herringbone, where rectangular blocks are laid in a zigzag, is the most popular pattern in British homes. Chevron looks similar but uses blocks cut at an angle so they meet in a clean point. Basket weave, brick bond and block layouts are often found in schools and public buildings.
Repairs always follow the original layout, so new blocks fit perfectly into the pattern. Borders around the edge of the room are also common, and these often need extra attention during sanding and finishing.
Is it worth restoring?
It is often possible to save far more than people expect. Traditional parquet blocks are usually solid hardwood with a generous thickness, which allows for repeated sanding. Large areas of loose blocks can often be re-laid, provided the subfloor beneath is in good condition. Restoring an original floor is usually more affordable than replacing it, and it keeps a beautiful, long-lasting feature in your home.
Key points to remember
Every loose block is re-bonded and missing ones replaced with matching reclaimed blocks before sanding begins.
Parquet is sanded diagonally in both directions because the grain changes direction from block to block.
A multi-disc machine is used at the end to remove swirl marks and leave a smooth, even surface.
Oil brings out the pattern beautifully, and lacquer gives extra resistance where traffic is heavy.
Looked after properly, restored parquet will continue to serve the home for generations.
Caring for restored parquet
With felt pads, doormats and a regular sweep, restored parquet stays looking its best. Oiled floors benefit from an occasional maintenance coat, and lacquered floors from a re-coat when the sheen begins to dull. Looked after properly, the floor will keep going for decades.
Wondering what your parquet could look like? Arrange a free survey and we will assess the blocks, explain the options and give you a fixed price.