ᐅ Better protection for prefinished hardwood flooring immediately after installation?

Hello,

we are somewhat concerned about the durability of our parquet flooring. (Although, due to the current wood shortage, it definitely doesn’t look as good as it did during the selection process two years ago...)

Unfortunately, for our apartment, we only had prefabricated parquet available as an option. Since it has just a 3.5mm (1/8 inch) wear layer, it can only be sanded down once or twice.

A few more details:

• Prefinished parquet (lacquered) with a total thickness of 11mm (7/16 inch), of which 3.5mm (1/8 inch) is the wear layer
• Underfloor heating (temperature unknown, district heating)
• Installation pattern “herringbone”
• Total area approximately 90m² (970 sq ft)

We expect high wear especially in the entrance area (due to sand and other dirt) and in the office (chair movement back and forth).

What options are available or make sense to protect the parquet?

• Yes, one could use runners or mats, but those can spoil the overall look.
• Is it possible to apply an additional lacquer coating (two to three coats, including primer) without sanding the surface beforehand? Or would the lacquer not adhere well and peel off? Is it necessary or recommended to sand between coats?
• Could epoxy resin (including primer) be poured on top? Presumably, it should not run onto the edges beside the parquet...

If any of these options are feasible: Can this be done as a DIY project, or should a professional handle it?

Mistake: Lacquered parquet. Every scratch shows twice as much. Oiled or waxed finishes tolerate scratches much better. You can simply refresh the floor once a year, which is not possible with lacquered parquet.

Otherwise, a two- or three-layer parquet as prefinished flooring is completely sufficient. Sanding is a myth that persistently circulates. You might do it once, but only after 30–40 years. Take a look at older houses from the 1950s to the 1970s. Most often, the original parquet from the construction year is still there, untouched.

You have chosen a beautiful and warm floor, made of a natural material. It adapts and changes with your life. That’s not a problem and is hardly noticeable, especially with non-lacquered floors. A floor that ages with you becomes better and more authentic, like a good red wine.
So don’t worry about damage; rather, consider which wood—oak, wenge, or similar—is really hard and difficult to scratch. Walnut or birch look nice but are softer woods.

In addition, you can reduce the amount of sand or other abrasive materials brought onto the parquet. Helpful measures include installing floor mats or scrapers recessed into the entrance area (usually tiled floors). In the office, place an appropriate mat in front of the desk or under the office chair.

Of course, you can put a rug on the parquet from time to time—but it mainly serves to create a cozy atmosphere, not to protect the floor.

Is the floor glued down? When sanding a floating parquet floor with a machine, there is a high risk that everything will come loose. If your parquet is finished with a matte lacquer, the scratches are less noticeable. Oiled parquet is much easier to handle in this respect; the scratches do not look as bad and almost disappear after re-oiling.

Best regards
Sabine

Axolotl-neu schrieb:

Mistake: Lacquered parquet.

That was my first thought as well. We also ordered lacquered flooring and only later found out that unfinished is better. Fortunately, after 9 years, we don’t have any significant wear since it’s just a secondary room. You couldn’t put it better than @Axolotl-neu. Sanding every 5 years is not something you do.

The fear of wear and the urge to preserve something new as much as possible is hardly achievable with an item meant for daily use. You should also keep in mind that you choose wood because it is a natural material and should “live on” in the house through use. If you want it always pristine and sterile, you should choose something else.
You still have some time to adjust your mindset to this approach 😉

I have now had engineered hardwood flooring (oak, 3.5mm wear layer, total 18mm thickness) in my apartment for almost a year and had some thoughts about various aspects, though less worries (about sand, small stones, water, etc.).
A large doormat in a hotel carpet style 😉 at the door keeps a lot out, and at the terrace entrance there is a regular doormat. Otherwise, I occasionally apply hard wax oil – that’s it. I’m surprised at how durable oak is, and after the first year, I’m now “worry-free.”
The two rugs I initially used for protection have since been given away because they only covered the beautiful wooden floor.