(Design: Bowerman Interior Planner)

The floor is possibly the largest surface area you’ll have at home. Choosing your desired material type sets the tone for the design of your abode, including the colour palette, interior styles and furniture options – so pick wisely. If timeless elegance is what you’re going for, hardwood – or parquet flooring – will be your cup of tea. 


(Design: J + A Design)

What is parquet?

Solid wood, when used as flooring material and laid in a geometric pattern, is known as parquet.

Why choose it?

Parquet weathers naturally and gracefully, while giving a warm ambience and timeless appeal to the home. In comparison to vinyl and engineered flooring, it is more durable and can be sanded down or varnished when required. The material also provides a natural grip, and has acoustic properties that aid noise absorption, as compared to other natural flooring materials, such as marble.

Tip: Suzane Tan, marketing director of Perswood, recommends lighter shades of wood for the illusion of a larger space.

Is parquet easy to maintain?

Yes. “Solid wood floor is easy to clean – simply wipe the surface with a damp mop. It does not trap odours, making it more hygienic and suitable for Singapore’s tropical climate,” shares Eileen Wong, manager of Sin Joo Lee, Chip Lee Timber’s parent company. Avoid dragging heavy objects or furniture across the floor to prevent scratches.

Tip: Beware! Homeowners have reported being cheated by companies that replaced higher-grade wood with less-premium options. Information of such shoddy jobs can be found through the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (Acra).


(Design: The Association)

What should I look out for when choosing wood from different regions?

Wood of the same species that are sourced from different regions have different properties. For example, teak from Indonesia is logged from 30- to 40-year-old trees, while Burmese teak is logged only after trees have matured over 80 years. Hence, Burmese teak offers more material stability. Check with your wood supplier that the material is logged from a sustainable forest.

How much does it cost?

This varies depending on the size and dimension of the wood, labour required, and types of varnish used; it can average from $8 to over $12 per square foot. “Select from a range of wood thickness or layout designs that suit your budget,” advises Eileen.


(Photo: Lekker Design)

Tip: “For smaller rooms, use long and wide wood pieces to create a sense of space. However, if the room faces the westerly sun, wider dimensions are not recommended as exposure to harsh sunlight makes the material susceptible to warping, which may cause slight shifting of the slats." – Kelvin Chua, director of Choon Bok Wood Industries

WHERE TO GO
Chip Lee Timber, TEL: 6747-8636, www.chiplee.com.sg
Choon Bok Wood Industries, TEL: 6269-7049, www.fb.com/cbwipl
Perswood, TEL: 6898-0355, www.perswood.com