Reviews from housewives and photos of using parquet boards in the kitchen

The issue of providing coverage in the kitchen is always quite acute. The thing is that housewives have to spend a long time in this room, and also often clean up after preparing and eating food. In addition, the traditional solution - tiling - is not always optimal. Yes, it's beautiful and practical. But! In winter, a floor without insulation becomes very cold, and dishes that fall on the floor are very likely to break.

Therefore, let's consider a good alternative - the use of parquet boards.

A Few Misconceptions

Some reviews about parquet boards, in particular those used in the kitchen, give incorrect arguments, which we will now give and then refute with arguments.

poor resistance to high levels of humidity and temperature changes;
short service life;
low wear resistance;
low strength;
worse than laminate;
difficult to install.

Pros and cons of using parquet flooring in the kitchen

So, first, let's look at all the advantages available:

This material is made from environmentally friendly wood, which has no allergens and will not harm your health;
Practicality. A good parquet flooring can serve faithfully for more than 10 years without any problems;
Incredible heat dissipation is also a big plus. Even in the coldest winter, your feet will not freeze, because the parquet is resistant to high temperatures;
Easy to assemble. You do not need large and complex instructions; installing parquet is not at all difficult;
For greater thermal stability of the floor, a heating system can be installed under the parquet;
A pleasant smooth surface will provide comfort to your feet;

Now let's look at all the existing disadvantages of this coating:

To get parquet flooring, first be prepared to shell out a considerable amount of money;
If you have a non-standard renovation in your house (loft type), you will not be able to decorate this coating;
Parquet is very sensitive to heavy loads, so very often its owners notice large dents on the floor, and sometimes holes in the floor;
Excessive moisture will be detrimental to this coating. The slightest flooding and you will need new parquet;

Now knowing all the pros and cons, you can decide whether you need parquet.

Quality, reliability and prestige

If you prefer quality things, even despite the high price, parquet is your choice. And here you need to make a note. Do not confuse the concepts of parquet and parquet boards. The latter is multi-layered:

1 (bottom) – veneer;
2 (middle) – wood planks that are laid perpendicular to the other two layers, together with lamellas;
3 (top) – valuable wood. This layer determines the service life and appearance of the product. Therefore, it is usually impregnated with a special composition.

The value of wood is its naturalness and warmth. It can improve the interior of virtually any style. And thanks to the characteristics of the species, the artistic reserves of parquet boards are very wide. Wood on the floor is warm and comfortable. But we must not forget that if the parquet is varnished, the natural properties will be leveled. To preserve the quality of the board, wax should be used. At the same time, the texture and beauty of the wood will remain.

According to the design of the product there are:

single-lane;
two-way;
three-lane.

The first group of products are made in such a way that there is a solid piece of wood on top. The rest are made of lamellas in several rows, making the design original. It looks like parquet.

The pattern depends on the types of material, cutting option and processing methods. Thus, the color of the product can be any.

An important advantage of parquet boards is ease of installation. After all, the material is supplied ready for this process. Moreover, if such a need arises, the coating can be removed and then installed again.

How to install parquet on a wall

Parquet boards for laying parquet on a wall must be ordered when all wet processes (installation of screed, self-leveling floor, plastering and puttying of walls and ceilings) have been completed, the leveling layers have been dried, and the heating and ventilation system are well established.
Laying of the coating begins only when the moisture content in the base drops to 2–3% (more accurate data is indicated by the manufacturer in the instructions for the specific material). Otherwise, the slats will absorb evaporating moisture, increase in size, bend, and in the worst case, the slats of the top layer may peel off. Remember that the same rules apply here as when installing parquet boards on the floor. Before starting work, sealed packages with material are kept in room conditions for at least 48 hours for acclimatization. Don't rush, especially if you brought the boards from the cold into a warm house. Condensation immediately forms on them. The wood absorbs it, and if you start laying it right away, then after a while gaps will appear between the planks. Small (1 cm) deformation gaps must be left at the joints with the floor and ceiling.

The installation method also plays a role, for example, herringbone parquet creates the most uniform load on the wall.

Barlinek

Tarkett

Installation of ceiling-wall panels on plasterboard sheathing

To make the wall look more harmonious, it is advisable to open several packages, lay out the elements on the floor, selecting them by color and texture. After all, wood is a natural material, and it is impossible to find planks with the same pattern and color. Install parquet boards on any flat base: plastered, plasterboard. The main thing is to choose the appropriate fixing method and adhere to the process technology, carefully study how to fasten the boards. You can trust this to any craftsman who is familiar with laying parquet boards on the floor.

Coswick

Installation of ceiling-wall panels vertically

First of all, you need to create an installation diagram. This will be followed by preparing the base (floor and walls), installing beacons (initial rows that will set the direction), laying parquet planks, sanding and varnishing.

Coswick

Board or laminate?

Analyzing numerous reviews, we can cite several characteristic differences in order to understand which material is more appropriate to use in the kitchen.

To begin with, it is worth noting that both materials are durable and reliable floors at a reasonable cost. And these coatings often look very similar, making it difficult for the uninitiated to figure out which is which. Therefore, let's look at the differences.

Manufacturing method. If a board uses three layers, the bottom two of which are cheaper than the top, then laminate is a board with a wood-fiber structure.
Appearance. The decoration of the laminate is done under the board, but the image on each product is the same, but the board does not.
Usage. The board requires a more careful treatment than laminate. And the danger to the material is posed by changes in temperature and humidity levels, exposure to heels and heavy furniture. Therefore, you should think carefully before installing a board in the kitchen. But this material is warmer than laminate and less noisy. But the last drawback is offset by the use of special substrates.
Care. If the parquet board will be used in the kitchen, you should take care of care products for this coating at the same time as installation. When cleaning with a vacuum cleaner, you cannot use the steam function, and you should use a mop lightly moistened with water. In this case, you should not use household chemicals.
Operating period. Despite its fragility, the coating can last up to thirty years. It is possible to increase the service life if restoration measures are carried out. They are possible no more than four times during the entire period of operation. Laminate flooring lasts from seven to twenty years.
Price. An important question. The products in question cost approximately at the same level, taking into account the quality characteristics.

What can be used instead of parquet

Instead of parquet on the walls you can use:

Natural boards

The texture is more interesting, the natural pattern looks more aesthetically pleasing. The problem is lack of moisture resistance and susceptibility to rotting. Rarely used for decorative purposes.

Decorative panels

Plastic panels are popular. Available in any color and texture. Durable, moisture-resistant, but subject to deformation and require careful handling. With proper care, they are quite durable and look “marketable” many years after repair.

A little about installation

Before you start laying the parquet board, after purchasing it, you need to leave the material for a couple of days in the room where the installation will take place. He must “get used” to the conditions. The base must be well leveled.

Installation should still be done by professionals; this will increase the service life of the coating, save time, and possibly money. The board should be laid perpendicular to the window so that the joints are less noticeable.

How to protect parquet boards in the kitchen

The parquet board does not need to be further processed – especially if you have chosen a high-quality material with a protective layer already applied in an industrial environment.

In addition, parquet board manufacturers offer suitable maintenance compounds, restoration products, crack preservation agents and materials for sealing joints.

But in order for a parquet board to really retain its attractiveness for a long time, it must be protected from moisture and coloring liquids and products. In practice, this means that spilled water must be wiped up immediately. Traces from hot liquids or fallen objects must be restored. In general, parquet is a recoverable coating - once every 10 years it is recommended to perform a sanding operation, after which the varnish is reapplied.