Parkay Flooring FAQs

If you are thinking of laying parkay flooring, you will have chosen one of the most beautiful and durable types of a floor that even has the potential of increasing the value of your home.  However, there are a few things you may want to know about parkay flooring, and this guide may be able to answer some of your questions.

What Are The Types of Parkay Flooring?

There are three main types of parkay flooring:

  • Solid, which is real parkay
  • Semi-solid, having a thin layer of a cheaper kind of wood underneath the solid wood
  • Engineered, normally referred to as real wood laminate floors

If you are looking for durability, you may want to consider parkay flooring made out of Purple Heart, which is by far the hardest type of wood available.  However, this is so hard that you may have problems cutting through it with normal wood cutting materials.  For domestic use, people are generally advised to use oak if they want a hard wood.

Where Can I Place Parkay Flooring?

Generally, you can fit a parkay floor in any room in the house.  However, it is important to remember that real wood does not like damp conditions, as it can make the wood warp.  Hence, having a solid wood parkay floor in the bathroom is not advisable, and the kitchen is something that you need to determine yourself.  If you are also fitting other things to that room – for example if you are flooring your kitchen and having a new fitted kitchen as well, people are usually advised to fit the floor first.

There are some old wives tales stating that you are not allowed to have parkay flooring in flats.  This is not true, but you do have to take into consideration that sound travels very well through parkay flooring and it would be common courtesy to install a good underlay if you are living in a flat so as not to disturb your neighbours.

How Much Does a Parkay Floor Cost?

Parkay flooring is not the cheapest type of flooring.  However, it is engineered to last a lifetime, meaning that it could work out cheaper in the long term as you won’t have to replace your floor every few years.  Generally, prices are per square metre and sometimes this price includes installation (which means materials are included).  With installation, prices can range from £80 to £400 per square metre.

How Do I Care for My Parkay Flooring?

You will first need to protect your parkay floor with a layer of wax or veneer.  Some floors have an oiled layer of protection, which regularly needs replacing.  How often you need to re-oil your floor will depend on how often you wash it, but you will be able to tell by the dull and dry appearance your floor will have when it needs oil.  Wood floors also scratch very easily, particularly lacquered ones, so take care to not drag your furniture and perhaps use knitted socks for dogs.

 

 

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