Hardwood flooring

Parquet flooring is a real wood flooring material that has been regarded as particularly high-quality and durable in residential properties for centuries. It consists of glued or doweled wood elements that are assembled into a pattern-such as herringbone, checkerboard, or ship deck. In the real estate sector, parquet flooring not only enhances the living atmosphere but also positively impacts a property’s market value and rental value.

Types of Parquet Flooring

A basic distinction is made between solid parquet, multi-layer parquet (pre-finished parquet), and mosaic parquet. Solid parquet (15-22 mm thick) consists of a single piece of wood and can be sanded down multiple times. Multi-layer parquet has a wear layer of real wood on a substrate, is more dimensionally stable in the face of humidity fluctuations, and is suitable for underfloor heating. Mosaic parquet (8-10 mm) is frequently found in older buildings and is also suitable for renovation projects. Laminate is often colloquially referred to as parquet, but it is not a real wood product.

In real estate marketing, the correct terminology is crucial: Anyone who writes “parquet flooring” in a property listing and thereby means laminate risks complaints from buyers and, in the worst case, may face claims for fraudulent misrepresentation. We always ensure a precise description of the flooring when creating our property listings.

Laying Patterns and Aesthetic Impact

The laying pattern significantly influences the perception of a room. The classic herringbone pattern looks elegant and visually elongates narrow rooms; the English pattern (ship deck) exudes modernity; the cube pattern is historic and prestigious. In historic buildings under preservation orders, the reconstruction of the original pattern is often required by building codes. In Nuremberg’s Wilhelminian-style buildings, oak strip parquet or pine planks from the period of construction are frequently found.

The installation pattern also affects the effort required for renovation work: A simple plank pattern is easier to sand and repair than a complex herringbone pattern with tight angles. For historic parquet in patterned variations, specialized knowledge is also required to preserve the original structure during restoration.

Care and Durability

Well-maintained parquet flooring can last 50 years or longer with regular care. The basic requirement is the right surface treatment: oiled, waxed, or sealed. Sealed parquet is easier to maintain, while oiled parquet develops a deeper patina. Sanding and refinishing costs €15-35 per square meter, depending on the area, and is a worthwhile investment before selling or re-renting an apartment.

The most common mistakes in parquet care: using too much water when mopping (leads to swelling and warping), using the wrong cleaning products (damages the surface), and moving furniture without felt pads (causes deep scratches). This damage is often more permanent than it initially appears and can significantly increase the sanding effort required during renovation.

Practical Tip for Homeowners in Nuremberg and Franconia

Older properties in Nuremberg neighborhoods such as Südstadt, Gostenhof, or St. Johannis often feature original, well-preserved plank flooring or mosaic parquet. We recommend having this flooring professionally restored before selling-it is very popular with prospective buyers and can significantly increase the achievable price. For modern new-builds, we specifically highlight high-quality parquet in our listings as a feature that boosts sales.

If you do not wish to invest in a complete parquet renovation before selling, you should at least have it professionally cleaned and refreshed. In many cases, an oil treatment or wax application is sufficient to restore a dull, lackluster parquet to its former beauty-at a fraction of the cost of a complete renovation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which wood is best suited for parquet floors?

Oak is the most commonly used and most durable wood species for living spaces-hard, dimensionally stable, and timelessly beautiful. Walnut, cherry, and maple offer a more elegant look with slightly lower hardness. Softwoods like pine or spruce are more affordable and historically common, but are more prone to indentations.

Can parquet be installed in damp rooms?

Standard parquet floors are only suitable for kitchens and bathrooms to a limited extent, as real wood reacts to fluctuations in humidity. However, specially treated parquet types or water-repellent surfaces allow for use in kitchens. In wet areas (shower, bathtub), parquet is generally not recommended.

How much does it cost to have new parquet flooring installed?

Costs vary widely: Simple pre-finished parquet, including installation, ranges from €40-70/m²; high-quality solid parquet in a premium design can cost €100-200/m² or more. For older buildings, additional subfloor work may be required, which increases the cost.

Can parquet be installed over radiant floor heating?

Yes, provided the parquet is approved for use with radiant floor heating. In general, engineered parquet is more suitable than solid parquet, as it reacts more stably to temperature fluctuations. The maximum flow temperature of the heating system should not exceed 45 °C; the surface temperature should not exceed 27 °C. The manufacturer’s approval must be strictly adhered to.

Parquet Flooring as a Selling Point and Value Factor

In real estate marketing, high-quality parquet flooring is one of the most compelling features-not only in the luxury segment but also in the upper mid-range. Buyers intuitively respond positively to real wood floors: The feel, the sound when walking on it, and the visual depth of an oiled or waxed oak parquet create a sense of quality that no other flooring conveys to this extent.

In Nuremberg’s Wilhelminian-style buildings and older properties with original plank flooring, we recommend actively highlighting this feature in the property listing. Many buyers are willing to pay a premium for preserved historical features-provided the floor has been professionally restored and maintained. Professional wood cleaning and refinishing before the sale costs a fraction of a complete renovation and can increase the achievable price by a multiple of the investment.

Sound Insulation and Construction Techniques for Parquet Floors

An often underestimated aspect of parquet floors-especially in apartment buildings-is impact sound insulation. Parquet floors transmit footfall noise more than softer floor coverings like carpet; without proper impact sound insulation beneath the parquet, this can lead to conflicts with neighbors and escalate into legal disputes within the homeowners’ association.

During renovations, state-of-the-art impact sound insulation should therefore always be installed. DIN 4109 specifies minimum values for impact sound insulation; in high-quality new buildings, these values are generally significantly exceeded. Anyone wishing to assess the sound insulation when purchasing a condominium with parquet flooring should also conduct a test at various times of the day during the viewing-in the afternoon when the neighbor has little activity, and in the evening when there may be significant differences.

Sustainability and Certification for Parquet Flooring

Given the rising demand for sustainably produced building materials, the origin of the wood and certification play an increasingly important role in parquet flooring. Wood from certified forestry-verified by FSC or PEFC certificates-guarantees that the raw material comes from sustainable forest management. For buyers with sustainability standards, this certification is a decisive criterion and should be documented when installing new flooring.

Regionally produced wood-such as oak from Franconian or Bavarian forestry operations-also has the advantage of shorter transport distances and particularly good climatic suitability for regional use. Craft businesses in the Nuremberg metropolitan region have many years of experience with regional solid oak parquet and can install and process it professionally.

Back to the Real Estate Glossary.