THE NATURAL GRAINS AND WARM TEXTURE OF THIS WOODEN MATERIAL MAKE IT ONE OF THE MOST SOUGHT-AFTER ADDITIONS TO THE HOME. FIND OUT HOW YOU CAN USE PARQUET ON YOUR FLOORS AND WALLS FOR A UNIQUE AND STUNNING LOOK.
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Suzane Tan, marketing director of Perswood, recommends lighter shades of wood for the illusion of a larger space.
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“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.
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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).
The floor is possibly the largest surface area youʼll 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 youʼre going for, hardwood – or parquet flooring – will be your cup of tea. Hardwood flooring comes from many regions around the world, bringing with them a variety of textures, grains, and colours. Having the option to lay parquet in various ways expands the possibilities of styles you can achieve at home, too!
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.
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 Singaporeʼs tropical climate,” shares Eileen Wong, manager of Sin Joo Lee, Chip Lee Timberʼs parent company. Avoid dragging heavy objects or furniture across the floor to prevent scratches.
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.
WHERE TO GO
Chip Lee Timber, TEL: 6747-8636, http://www.chiplee.com.sg
Choon Bok Wood Industries, TEL: 6269-7049, http://www.fb.com/cbwipl
Perswood, TEL: 6898-0355, http://www.perswood.com
