Untreated wood and moisture aren’t normally a good match. However, parquet flooring can enhance the bathroom’s look and offer many benefits. What do you need to know before opting for elegant parquet flooring in the bathroom? You will find extensive information, including practical tips, in this article.
Wood is a natural material. When it comes into contact with moisture, it absorbs as much as it can and swells. When the humidity decreases, the water evaporates and the natural material warps.
The critical value is 70 percent humidity. This limit should not be exceeded in any room, as a higher percentage usually leads to mould forming.
Nowadays, specialised surface finishes enable the elegant material to be used in wet rooms without a problem. It does, however, require slightly more care than tiles. With the right knowledge, wood flooring can last as long as other high-quality building materials.
Not every type is suitable for wet rooms. For example, beech is one of the varieties that absorbs moisture very easily and is therefore not particularly suitable here.
Solid parquet flooring consisting of individual planks is relatively moisture-resistant as it doesn’t swell so quickly at the edges. The multiple layers offer humidity a larger attack surface, so this flooring requires attentive care in the bathroom.
During installation, we advise having all of your flooring fully glued down. The underlay with slip-resistant adhesive consists of several layers, and its installation requires good skills and craftsmanship. It is important that the underlay is perfectly sealed with an elastic joint sealant.
Varnished flooring does not require a lot of care in a normal room. But if a bit of water pools on the seal, as can happen after showering, the layer of varnish might crack. Oil is perfect for treating surfaces in the bathroom. Before first use, the flooring is treated with several layers of hard oil or hard wax oil. A polishing machine carefully rubs it in. The result is a waterproof surface finish that cannot absorb water easily. Hard oil takes hold deep in the wood’s structure to protect it from the inside out. Hard wax oil leaves a shiny protective film on the surface. No matter which option you choose, your parquet flooring should be re-oiled once a year.
If you have underfloor heating in your bathroom, you should choose thin parquet flooring. A 22 mm thickness will allow enough warmth to penetrate into the room. We strongly recommend you ask an expert whether your chosen flooring is suitable for this kind of heating.
With the right care, wood can last for many decades in wet rooms. When enjoying a shower or bath, please do the following:
Parquet is an elegant flooring material, as it creates a cosy atmosphere. It is also an antimicrobial material with good insulating properties, which also make it suitable for underfloor heating. It is important that you choose a suitable variety. With the right care, oiled parquet flooring that has been fully glued down can last for many decades, even in a wet room.