Please come and talk to me about parquet flooring

[deedeelondon]

Can anyone tell me the cost of having parquet laid? After months of dilly dallying about flooring for sitting room/dining room I've decided that parquet is what I really really want, but I fear that the cost of having it laid will be beyond my budget. Also, can anyone recommend a good fitter in North London? What are your experiences with parquet? Is it a good choice? Does it vary a lot in quality/
There's just me, and youngest DD still at home, so wear and tear won't be great...

Watching with interest as I'm quite keen on it too. Fired Earth have looooovely pale parquet on for sale. Keep ogling over it.

I love parquet flooring. Grew up in a house with it it some areas (parents put carpet over). Now live in a house with it (albeit under the wooden floors that have been laid over it). It's quite 1970's, but very cool now, and I understand very expensive too... sorry no idea on costs.

Actually Clanger it doesn't seem to be much more expensive than solid wood plank flooring, but i think it's the cost of laying it that 's going to put it out of my reach. Does anyone know???

Lotty - just had a look at the Fired Earth parquet .... it's beautiful. ££££ though, even in the sale!

Not sure about costs but we moved into our new house at Christmas and inherited lovely parquet flooring in the lounge. Everyone comments on it when they visit. It looks fab!
Its easy to clean and has a coating on it so water just beads on top which is perfect with two clumsy children and a DH thats even worse!

Lucky you Pigley!

I love my parquet floor! We were lucky to buy a house that already has it in several rooms. It is pine which I wasn't keen on once it was sanded so we had a dark oak stain and it looks great. Will try and add photos to my profile...

It cost us about 900 to have the existing parquet fixed and bordered properly, sanded and re vanished when we moved in as it really was in a state and initially we thought we would have to rip it up and replace. It looks amazing now and is so easy to keep clean. Perfect for kids. It does get scratched but homes are for living in and it is 40 years old so if we have to have it resanded and varnished again in 40years I can live with that.

biscuits - do you live in or near London? Would love to know name of your fitter if so...

nikki - please do. Just checked and your photos weren't up. Would love to see what dark oak stain looks like.

I can't stand the stuff, shame I don't have some I'd willingly send it to you :)

I'm pretty sure it will be to get it laid, I've seen it on one of the 'house' programmes, but if you love it that much it's probably money well spent if you can stretch that far.

We have original parquet flooring in our hall, sitting room,study.
And playroom. It Was laid when house was built in 1928. It is in amazing condition still. (And easy to clean)
We had to lay oak flooring in kitchen/dining/family area when we had an extension, as to continue the parquet throughout would have cost us thousands!

Hopefully this works...

Obviously the room wasn't decorated then. Is now pale grey with wide woodwork. Looks fab :)

nikki it does look fab - you're so lucky!

Latte - you're right. It's probably worth breaking the bank to get what you really want - either that or spending years living with something you regret. Would love it if someone could recommend a good fitter though. I can get a reasonable deal buying it online but would have to find someone to lay it.

Try another thread in [[http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/property Property DIY]] (rather than home decoration).

'Parquet floor fitter needed. North London. Can anyone help?'

I guess you have tried googling? Yell/Checker Trade/etc

Failing that - a thread in AIBU. AIBU to be finding it impossible to get a quote to lay Parquet Flooring?

Thanks latte - will post now.

After a mumsnet suggestion, I just had my house done in reclaimed parquet bought from a company called parquet parquet. They basically source beautiful old flooring from eg London colleges and sell it on. They recommended some fitters called 4d flooring who fit, sand and oil it. It looks amazing and just as good if not better than new stuff. Parquet was a bargain. Fitting cost a bit more but overall probably cheaper or the same as buying decent tiles and fitting them. Hope that helps!

Oooh thanks morechildren - will look into it

Oh - keep us posted :)

Will do - just had a look at their website. All looks very promising! Will phone them tomorrow ...

I'm really excited pleased for you. I love it when someone gets something they really want - fingers crossed!!

Latte - update! Have sourced some lovely reclaimed parquet and have had two people round today to give quotes. Love your enthusiasm, especially as you hate parquet yourself!

Ohh that's progress!! :)

I hope they don't take forever to get the quotes to you! Keep me posted.