Parquet in hardwood or solid wood

The décor of any home can be transformed through the careful choice of flooring. In this respect, solid wood parquet certainly stands out among the most attractive options. The intrinsic beauty and tangible connection to nature make it an attractive choice for all those looking for authenticity and warmth in their furniture and design projects. But let’s understand what this is all about. Solid wood parquet flooring has one main feature that sets it apart from other types of wood flooring: each of its boards is composed throughout its thickness of solid wood, that is, it is made up of only one essence, which is the one you choose at the start, based on your personal taste. If you like cherry wood, for example, you will have a floor that contains only and exclusively cherry. Solid wood does not undergo layering or gluing of layers. And this is why it retains its original integrity, maintaining all the natural features of wood, such as grain and knotwork. So why opt for solid wood flooring? Let’s find out together.

Solid wood and hardwood, we shed light: differences and similarities

Before any consideration of parquet flooring, it is necessary to take a closer look to understand the difference between solid wood and hardwood.
Both, often confused as synonyms, are distinct materials with different origins and different visual characteristics. They can come from various types of trees such as walnut, oak, elm, or olive, yet they have significant differences. Let’s look at them together.

Solid wood is extracted from the inner part of the log, the heartwood, while hardwood uses all sections of the trunk. Both require drying to remove moisture and ensure stability during processing. However, solid wood, being made up of only the heartwood, offers greater durability and a lower tendency to warp over the years.

Hardwood, including both the heartwood and sapwood (the light-coloured outer part of the trunk), can have noticeable aesthetic differences. For example, the use of sapwood creates obvious contrasts between light and dark parts. Also, hardwood allows for larger boards than solid wood, which may require several boards to be joined together to achieve the desired size. Over time, solid wood develops colour variations while still maintaining a uniform appearance, while hardwood may show cracks due to the different reactions of heartwood and sapwood to ageing. Both types of wood have their own peculiarities: hardwood is preferable for supporting elements of considerable weight, while solid wood is ideal to produce parquet and high-quality furniture intended to last over time. The choice between the two is therefore dependent on the specific requirements and intended use.

The parquet par excellence: solid wood parquet

When thinking of the most traditional parquet, the immediate association is with solid wood flooring, which continues to be the real wood floor, the most valuable solution in the opinion of many. And this is because each solid wood panel is made from a single layer of noble wood.

As a matter of fact, it is a superb choice for interior design, thanks to a number of distinctive qualities that make it a charming and durable solution. Firstly, its composition entirely of authentic wood gives parquet an intrinsic beauty and uniqueness. Each solid wood plank carries the hallmarks of its origin, creating a floor with a natural, warm appearance that adds a touch of elegance to any room in your home.

Durability is another strong point of solid wood parquet. This material is known for its durability, able to withstand daily wear and tear without losing its charm. And as the years go by, parquet can be sanded and refinished again, renewing its surface and further extending its service life.

Even in terms of design, this type of floor does not disappoint.
 The versatility of a solid wood parquet floor is noticeable in its ability to adapt to a wide range of interior design styles. From classic to modern, parquet harmoniously integrates into any context, providing an elegant and timeless basis for the entire interior design.

Another remarkable plus of solid wood parquet is its ability to regulate humidity and prevent the formation of mould, thus improving air quality. 

Lastly, the installation of solid wood parquet is generally regarded as an investment that increases the value of the home. The longevity and timelessness make it a popular choice for new builders and renovators alike, offering a floor that retains its charm through the passing of time.

Prefinished and solid wood parquet? Comparing the two alternatives.

Prefinished parquet has gained popularity in recent years at the expense of a solid wood parquet, mainly due to three key factors: cost, time and ease of maintenance. But now let’s understand the differences between the two. Prefinished parquet, in contrast to solid wood, consists of a layer of noble wood to which a plywood support is then added. Therefore, it is not plain wood, but is still able to ensure excellent performance in terms of resistance and durability.
Let’s find out why.
In pre-finished parquet, the cross-fibre plywood lends stability to the noble wood and minimises the micro movements typical of wood, which generally happen due to exposure to heat, cold or moisture. This is an undeniable advantage: it means that you can lay it even  in the dampest rooms of the house. This is not advisable in the case of a solid wood parquet floor.

Another aspect that differentiates the two types of parquet is the installation. That of a prefinished floor is extremely fast. In fact, this floor does not require any resting or drying time, as it consists of planks already finished in the production phase and are therefore ready for use immediately after the installation. In concrete terms, this means that no further work such as varnishing or laminating will be required at the installation site, as each individual plank is treated with varnish, oil, brushing or sawing in advance, depending on your preference.

In the case of solid wood parquet, on the other hand, installation is more complex: the unfinished planks are processed and finished on-site. This process unsurprisingly increases the installation and waiting time before the surface can be walked on. And by virtue of the degree of complexity, this process has a significant impact on costs, making solid parquet more expensive than layered options.
Nevertheless, it is undeniable that solid parquet offers important pros, such as the possibility of restoring its original beauty through periodic sanding to remove scratches, dents and stains. And it provides a superior thermal and acoustic insulation thanks to the thickness of the noble wood used.
So we can conclude here that, in ultimate analysis, the choice between solid and pre-finished parquet depends on one’s personal preferences, maintenance requirements and available budget.

To sum up, solid wood parquet is a winning choice for those looking for a floor that combines aesthetics, durability and versatility. The intrinsic beauty, resulting from the authentic character of the wood composition, lends rooms a timeless warmth. Resistance is one of its distinguishing features that enables it to successfully cope with daily wear and tear, guaranteeing a long life span that makes the floor a lasting investment. Solid parquet also has the ability to adapt to a variety of furnishing styles, from classic to modern, recreating ambiences of pronounced harmony. Although it requires a more laborious installation than prefabricated alternatives, the end result is a floor that reflects the authenticity of the material and one that can be renewed over the years. In conclusion, opting for solid wood parquet means investing in timeless elegance and the uncompromising quality of a floor that will stand out for its beauty and solidity over time.

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