In the course of our lives, we walk over 12,000 kilometers (!) barefoot on floors. Says the statistics. In this respect, the ground on which we move should of course be well chosen. Beautiful and comfortable at the same time, if possible. Floors made from old wood are becoming increasingly popular in this respect, says expert Maurice Rudda from the parquet boutique.
Choosing the right flooring for your home is not only important from an aesthetic point of view. Should the wood (which one?) be dark or light, do I want planks, herringbone or a panel look?
Over time, we have seen many trends come and go, which we may or may not have followed. And the result is one that is more timeless than any other before it – the one for reclaimed wood flooring. Maurice Rudda, junior manager of the parquet boutique of the same name from Heidenreichstein in the Waldviertel, goes into raptures when he talks about old floorboards. Because they reflect exactly what the family business stands for – the finest craftsmanship from start to finish.
Wood from old farms
Reclaimed wood flooring, as the name suggests, is made from old, very old wood that comes from farms, estates and the like. The cut wood – primarily elm, spruce and oak – can be purchased at auctions, with each batch yielding between 200 and 500 square meters of finished product. “You never know what you’re going to get. Every batch turns out differently,” says Rudda. The wood is then sorted, any nails are removed and the boards are later heated to remove any worms. According to Rudda, the preparation takes around a month, as the planks are planed by hand and then glued together in three layers, with the old planks at the top and two additional layers of oak turned at a 90-degree angle, “so that the wood works less. This gives us very good stability.”
Hard-wearing parquet for the kitchen and entrance area
When it comes to installation, nature also sets the tone here. “The planks are often different widths, which gives the floor a very special look,” says Rudda. They can be laid according to taste, even as a panel floor. “The texture of reclaimed wood is very different to that of normal wood. It is very hard, resistant and forgiving, making it particularly suitable for entrance areas and kitchens.” There is also no need for regular regrinding, “because it has already hardened a lot over the years.” Advantages that naturally come at a price. While a normal parquet floor costs between 90 and 120 €/m2 today, a reclaimed wood floor costs 230-250 €/m2.
Alternative: Château antique parquet or new floors made to look old
If you like the idea but not the price, we recommend an alternative. The so-called “Châteaux Antik Parkett” also has its charms. Here, new wood is used instead of old wood, but trimmed to look old. “There’s naturally more on offer here,” says Rudda, “which means the range is also wider.” In this case, the company is using oak from France, Belgium or Germany for the time being. Hardly from Austria, “because the proportion of oak here is only around 6% – which is far too little for the demand.” Even though a lot of manual work is required for this variant (the edges are finished and rounded by hand and sanded along the cracks), the wood is much cheaper to buy; Châteaux antique parquet is priced at around 120-130 €/m2, according to the expert.
Whichever option you choose, both will feel good. Even after thousands of kilometers on it.
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