Wood flooring or parquet, being a natural material, requires a series of care measures that, while not usually costly, must be constant.
Likewise, this flooring has a number of benefits compared to other similar options such as laminate flooring, in that every so often (depending on foot traffic, but usually between 10 and 15 years) it can be varnished or sanded, allowing us to enjoy the parquet looking as good as newly installed.
Wood flooring, by its very nature, exchanges moisture with the surrounding environment, changing its dimensions at the same time, and can deteriorate if certain precautions are not taken.
Tips for caring for Parquet
#Avoid direct sunlight
Prevent sunlight from shining directly on the parquet for long periods, as this darkens the wood prematurely (a photo-degradation process) and damages it further.
#Ventilate to reduce humidity
If the environment is damp, as in the case of new construction work, it should be ventilated periodically to reduce humidity. If necessary and if we have heating available, we could turn it on to help with this process (taking breaks now and then and airing again) or, if needed, install a dehumidifier. An extremely damp environment causes lifting, swelling or warping of the flooring.
#Avoid knocks and scrapes from hard or sharp objects
It is advisable to fit adhesive felt pads on furniture legs, which you can find in any DIY store, so they can be dragged without scratching the floor.
#If any liquid spills onto the parquet
When any liquid spills onto the parquet, wipe and dry it immediately, since if left for too long it can end up being absorbed by the wood.
With a simple hair dryer, taking care not to burn the wood, you can apply heat to the area where you think the liquid may have seeped between the gaps or joints in the floorboards.
#Keep the parquet in balanced conditions
To get the best performance from your installed parquet, it must be kept in balanced conditions with its surroundings, namely a relative humidity of between 40% and 70% and an approximate temperature of 20ºC, since otherwise the parquet could experience unwanted warping or movement.
#Avoid walking on the parquet in outdoor shoes
Especially if they are wet or carry traces of dirt, gravel, mud, etc., the main enemies of parquet. Make sure to place a doormat at the entrance to remove sand or small stones. Be careful with footwear: thin-heeled shoes, for example, if they have lost their protective tips, can end up marking the floor.
#What happens when the parquet dries out?
If, on the contrary, it becomes dry (in summer or due to intensive use of air conditioning or heating) or if the home is expected to remain closed for a long period of time, it is also important to ventilate it to restore normal humidity levels.
We can also place containers of water in different rooms of the home, use a humidifier, fill the bathtub, etc., to provide additional moisture. A dry environment causes desiccation and the opening of cracks in the flooring.
#Maintain environmental values
Once the home is occupied, it is important to keep maintaining the recommended environmental values. To do this, we can use a small weather station that measures indoor humidity and temperature.
All these precautions should be taken into account when buying parquet, but this does not mean that, if they are not followed to the letter, the parquet will necessarily suffer the problems mentioned. Even so, following them will certainly help the parquet last shining for much longer.
One of the companies with the best prices for parquet in Málaga is Payresa.
Contact us with no obligation for a personalised quote tailored to your needs, or to resolve any other query you may have.