Parquet or Laminate Flooring?

Parquet and laminate are the most popular flooring types nowadays. At a glance, there are many similarities between them and particularly in their outward appearance; which means that, it is almost impossible to distinguish high-quality laminate flooring from parquet just by looking at them. In order to simplify your decision-making, in this blog we will discuss some key characteristics and differences between laminate and parquet.

Although, it should be said that, regardless of which you choose, high-quality material will in both cases be equally useful.

What is the main distinguishing factor between parquet and laminate?

First of all, parquet is made from natural wood, which gives this flooring type its authenticity and sophistication. On the other hand, laminate contains a top layer that is produced with a synthetic material. The appearance of laminate is determined by the existence of wood effect on its top layer, which is finished off with a transparent cover; because of this, it is easy to maintain the initial look of laminate and the material ends up being durable as well.

What to consider when installing a parquet flooring?

If you decide to install parquet flooring, it is important for its print and colour to suit the interior design. In general, parquet colours can be divided into three categories: light, medium, and dark. Since parquet is produced from a natural material, specifically from wood, one needs to take into account the contact floor makes with sunlight. The surface of parquet may start to fade if constantly exposed to strong sunlight: depending on the type of wood, the surface may become lighter or darker, or take on a yellowish shade. If your house has full-length windows and so the floor receives intense sunlight, we would advise you to protect the parquet by hanging the curtains.

These are other important details to keep in mind when it comes to parquet:

• Place a carpet in the entrance of the house as parquet can eventually be damaged by the incoming dust;
• Try not to walk with outdoor shoes at home;
• Attach protectors to the feet of the furniture (armchairs, chairs, tables) to prevent the parquet from being scratched;
• In case of water spillage on the parquet, try to quickly dry the wet area;
• Definitely polish parquet surface with a special oil-based protective liquid once a year

Advantages of parquet

Parquet flooring withstands the passage of time and no matter what kind of interior design you like, a fitting place for it can be found in every house. Apart from this unique quality of parquet, we need to remember its other properties:

• Natural material
• Attractive from aesthetic standpoint
• Easy to maintain
• Durable over a long period
• Easy to install
• Possible to be renewed in case of wearing out
• Diverse selection in terms of print and design

What to consider when installing a laminate flooring?

Laminate flooring is ideal for small, as well as big houses. Although, unlike the parquet, laminate can withstand sunlight, it is still important to keep it away from humid places. In general, it is not recommended to install laminate in bathrooms or laundry rooms. As with wood surfaces, it is essential that we dry the laminate floor quickly after its coming into contact with water.

Advantages of laminate

Since it is very easy to clean the laminate and it does not retain dust (due to the specifics of its installation), laminate flooring is the best friend for asthmatic individuals. The wide variety of laminate and its availability in multiple price categories, makes purchasing of laminate affordable to almost every budget. Some of its other beneficial characteristics are the following:

• Non-allergic surface
• Affordable price
• Very durable
• Easy to look after
• East to install
• Withstands dust and scratches
• Not easily damaged and scratched
• Diverse selection in terms of design

As it can be seen, both, parquet and laminate, have their benefits and features that need to be considered. If you have playful children or domestic animals at home, laminate will be an optimal choice for you as it is very durable when it comes to scratches and drops of heavy objects. Whereas, if you prioritise natural materials and would like to, after many years, renew your flooring without changing it, then parquet will be the best option.