ᐅ Parquet flooring installed with numerous small holes (woodworm)

Created on: 11 Dec 2024 10:51

Hello everyone,

We bought a house and had 120 sqm (1,292 sq ft) of new hardwood flooring (Joka country-style oak planks with knots) professionally installed by a flooring specialist. The flooring looks really beautiful and was expertly glued down, but over the past few weeks, on closer inspection, we noticed that a large portion of the planks have small holes in the wood, similar to those caused by woodworm damage. Some of the holes are filled with putty, while others are not.

I assume that some of the holes are too small to have been detected and filled during the machine-based puttying process. So: I don’t believe there is any active woodworm present (we haven’t seen any beetles, frass, and the planks were treated by the supplier anyway). However, it seems likely that woodworm was once present, and I’m quite bothered by the number of holes. Dirt can get in everywhere. Of course, we paid a significant amount of money for these 120 sqm (1,292 sq ft) of new hardwood flooring! About half of the planks are affected.

Therefore, my question is: is this considered a defect that we are justified in complaining about? Or is this within the acceptable range of “tolerances” or “natural imperfections”?
If yes, should we address this with the flooring installer or directly with Joka?

I look forward to hearing your opinions.

Best regards

Wood surface with visible grain and a few dark spots.

Close-up of a wood surface showing grain, a small hole, and a blue mark.

Close-up of a wood surface with visible grain and two small holes.

Wood surface of a table with three small black dots.

Close-up of a finely grained wood surface with a small black hole.

ateliersiegel21 Dec 2024 10:06

#37

K a t j a schrieb:

shows me that quality no longer matters to many people.

Although I would personally avoid using wood with wormholes because that’s how I’ve always thought about it, from a practical standpoint there is no reason against it if you can be sure the insects won’t cause further damage.
The main reason to avoid wood affected by woodworms is to prevent the pests from spreading inside the house.
Branches, blue stain fungus, or similar wood characteristics have long been established as design elements.
For example, if the wood has been properly heated for a sufficient time, no pests remain inside, so the decision is based purely on aesthetic or financial considerations.

K a t j a22 Dec 2024 08:08

#38

ateliersiegel schrieb:

The main reason you shouldn’t use worm-eaten wood is to prevent the insects from spreading inside the building.

That wouldn’t be my reason; for me, such wood is basically waste.

ateliersiegel schrieb:

Knots, blue stain, or other wood characteristics have long been accepted as design elements.

Knots don’t count as damage to me; they’re part of the wood. I haven’t encountered blue stain in furniture production so far, but I’m not very familiar with that field (it’s not my profession, but that of my family members).

You could make a similar argument that you can still bake a great cake with moth-infested flour... Well then, enjoy your meal!

chand198622 Dec 2024 09:18

#39

K a t j a schrieb:

That would not be my reason, but actually that such wood is more like waste.

How is waste defined here? A few wormholes do not affect the functional quality, hardly the visual, and even less the tactile. Especially if you can still fill them... the comparison with flour doesn’t make sense.

I would rather have a problem with discarding something like this too quickly. It doesn’t seem sustainable to me.

nordanney22 Dec 2024 10:27

#40

K a t j a schrieb:

One could argue similarly that you can still bake a wonderful cake with moth-infested flour.

No, a better comparison would be a cake with holes. Not nice to look at, but still tasty.

ateliersiegel22 Dec 2024 10:37

#41

What I always like to support is the freedom of forming one’s own opinion.
Even the look of wormholes has its charm.
Many things are made to look intentionally aged because “antiques” are popular.

I personally find that a bit “off,” but it’s important to me that people who like something still have their place.

ypg22 Dec 2024 10:45

#42

K a t j a schrieb:

I have to admit, looking at the data sheet, I wonder how far we've already fallen?

I believe many professionals who trained two to three generations ago share this thought.
When I see some photos used to promote a product or proudly displayed in someone’s living room from their own wedding, I also ask myself where the standards have gone—the standards we deserve.
But then I remind myself that times change, and just like everyone else, including you, I evolve with them.
Nowadays, there are simply different—not worse—values.

chand1986 schrieb:

I would have a problem with quickly throwing something away like that. Doesn’t seem sustainable to me.

Sustainability, for example. Well observed.

We simply can no longer afford to discard “living” wood. Stint is no longer a poor man’s food, and most people are incredibly proud the more cold light in the form of LED spots they can install in their homes.
Painters throw up their hands at our bare walls, and hairdressers have gotten used to teasing hair rather than setting permanent waves.
All of that used to be taboo!
So everyone has to come to terms with today’s values.

ᐅ Parquet flooring installed with numerous small holes (woodworm)

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