Everything about Parquetry totally explained
Parquetry is a geometric
mosaic of
wood pieces used for decorative effect. The two main uses of parquetry are as veneer patterns on furniture and block patterns for
floors. The patterns of parquet flooring are entirely geometrical and angular—
squares,
triangles,
lozenges. The use of curved and natural shapes constitutes
marquetry rather than parquetry. The most popular parquet flooring pattern is herringbone.
History
(French
parqueterie, from
parquet.) The large diagonal squares known as
parquet de Versailles were introduced there in 1684, as
parquet de menuiserie ("woodwork parquet"), to replace the marble flooring that required constant washing, which tended to rot the joists beneath the floors. Such
parquets en lozange were noted by the Swedish architect
Daniel Cronström at Versaillles and at the
Grand Trianon in 1693.
Materials
Timber contrasting in
color and grain, such as
oak,
walnut,
cherry,
lime,
pine,
maple etc. are sometimes employed; and in the more expensive kinds the richly coloured
mahogany and sometimes other tropical
hardwoods are also used. While not technically a wood,
bamboo is also a popular material for modern floors.
Parquet floors were formerly usually adhered with hot bitumen. Today more modern cold adhesives are usually used.
Pop culture
One of the most famous parquet floors is the one used by the
Boston Celtics of the
NBA. The original floor, which was installed at the Celtics' original home of
Boston Arena in
1946, was moved intact to
Boston Garden in
1952 and used there until the team moved to what was then known as
FleetCenter in
1995. The floor remained intact and in use until it was cut up and sold as souvenirs in
1999, after the
1998 demolition of Boston Garden. The Celtics today play on a parquet floor that combines old and new sections.
Cleaning
Wood floors may be brushed clean, and mopped when necessary. Upright vacuum cleaners can scratch and wear the surface, as grit particles become embedded in the spinning brushes.
Repair
Parquet floors are usually long lasting and require little or no maintenance.
Unstuck blocks are re-glued. Bitumen glued blocks require use of either hot bitumen or a cold bitumen emulsion, as other glue types don't adhere to bitumen.
Notes and references
Further Information
Get more info on 'Parquetry'.
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