The difference between Hybrid Wood and Oak Parquet
Are you in need of new flooring? There are countless options to consider! If you’re looking for a natural product made from beautiful oak wood, you have a choice between the revolutionary Hybrid Wood or the traditional oak parquet. Both types of flooring have their unique features and looks. To help you better understand what each type of Floer has to offer, we’ll explain the difference between Hybrid Wood and oak parquet.
Hybrid wood vs. Parquet
Hybrid Wood is a revolutionary flooring solution that combines the best of parquet, laminate, and vinyl on one floor. The floors are made of an oak top layer pressed together with wood powder, resulting in floors that are extremely strong and pressure-resistant. Unlike Oak Parquet floors, which are made of an oak top layer glued together with birch plywood to create an engineered parquet floor with a tongue and groove joint, Hybrid Wood floors can be laid either glued down or floating on a subfloor.
Finish & appearance
We hear you asking, “If I can choose Hybrid Wood, why would I still go for an oak parquet floor?” It’s a good question because hybrid floors have numerous advantages. However, there are reasons to choose oak parquet floors as well. With a Hybrid Wood floor, the first thing to choose is the pattern of the floor: straight or herringbone. If you prefer XL planks, choose a wood colour with a subtle or rustic look. You can also choose between 27 cm wide or 23 cm wide Hybrid Wood. The herringbone hybrid floors are available in four different wood colours, but they all have the same dimensions regardless of colour.
With oak parquet, there are some unique differences. Floer oak parquet floors are completely custom-made according to your preferences. First, you choose a wood grading, ranging from knot-free Prime to very lively Rustic ABC. Then, you can select the dimensions of your floorboards, with a width between 18 and 22 cm, a length between 200 and 240 cm, and the option to determine the thickness yourself. For herringbone parquet floors, there are four different sizes to choose from, and the thickness of a herringbone parquet floorboard is at least 1.6 cm. Additionally, you can select one or more of the following finishes: aging, sawing, brushing, and (double) smoking the floorboards. Finally, you choose the oil colour for your floor.
Water-resistance oak floor
Water resistance is an essential factor to consider when looking for a new floor, especially for larger families with children and/or pets. Accidents with puddles of water are always a possibility. When it comes to water resistance, there is a significant difference between hybrid flooring and parquet. Hybrid wood is finished with an advanced waterproof coating that allows it to handle humid conditions effortlessly. This makes it an ideal choice for kitchen flooring, as spilled liquids or water splashes are no problem for these hybrid floors!
On the other hand, traditional oak parquet requires a little more caution when it comes to water. While parquet floors are naturally durable and resistant to wear and tear, they are more sensitive to moisture due to the oak parquet’s porous materials, which absorb water more easily. This can cause the boards to warp, which is a common cause of permanent damage. Therefore, Herringbone Parquet does not have to feel like a fish out of water! If water resistance is a top priority for your flooring choice, Hybrid Wood offers a clear advantage over traditional oak parquet.
Maintenance
All types of flooring require maintenance, including laminate, parquet, vinyl, and hybrid wood. However, the type of maintenance required for Hybrid Wood floors is less intensive when compared to Oak Parquet floors. This is because Hybrid Wood has a water-resistant and dirt-repellent finish, making cleaning the floor easy. For daily maintenance, regular vacuuming and sweeping are sufficient, while removing stains or spills can be done with a cloth and soapy water. Moreover, Hybrid Wood floors have a scratch-resistant coating, so you don’t have to worry about scratches from pets or furniture.
Traditional Oak Parquet requires a little more attention and care when it comes to maintenance. This is because the natural product is more sensitive to moisture and scratches compared to the hybrid variant. Regular sweeping or vacuuming, as with Hybrid floors, is necessary to remove daily dust and dirt. This is especially important because pebbles and sand can cause scratches on the surface of the parquet board. To maintain the natural shine of the wood, it is recommended to regularly use special cleaning products, such as floor soap. This helps keep the wood hydrated and prevents it from drying out.
Tip by Floer:
One advantage of oak parquet is that it can be sanded to give it a fresh and new look. When you have a parquet floor sanded, you can even choose a new colour for the parquet, so you don’t have to replace the entire floor for a new look in the room. Sanding an oak floor does not need to be done frequently, only when you want to oil your wooden floor.
The oak floor on underfloor heating
Do you have underfloor heating or are you thinking of combining it with your new floor? Heat resistance is a factor to keep in mind when choosing the type of floor that suits you. Both Hybrid Wood and traditional Oak Parquet are suitable for use with underfloor heating, but they have different levels of heat resistance.
The Hybrid floors, when laid bonded, have a thermal resistance of only 0.07 m²K/W. This indicates that these floors have excellent thermal conductivity and respond quickly to changes in temperature from the underfloor heating system. If you plan to lay the Hybrid Wood floor floating, please consider the additional thermal resistance provided by the subfloor.
Interested in an Oak Wood Parquet floor? These floors are also suitable for installation on underfloor heating! The thermal resistance is determined by the thickness of the product, so we recommend choosing the thinnest plank construction possible. For instance, a 1.2 cm thick plank has a thermal resistance of 0.11 m²K/W, while a 1.6 cm thick plank has a thermal resistance of 0.14 m²K/W. To achieve the best efficiency, lay your Parquet floor using glue to prevent any additional thermal resistance from a subfloor.
So, Hybrid Wood or Parquet?
It can be difficult to distinguish between Hybrid Wood and Oak Parquet. Choosing between the two types of flooring can be a challenge if you are drawn to their beauty. Each has unique features that are attractive. Hybrid Wood offers water resistance, scratch resistance, and easy maintenance. Parquet, on the other hand, has a timeless charm and natural appearance that appeals to many people. It is also possible to customise the look of the parquet flooring with different wood grades, treatments, and oils. Both types of flooring have their own appeal, and the choice between them depends on your specific needs and preferences.
When selecting a new Floer, consider the type of room where it will be installed, the features needed for your family, and your lifestyle. Both Hybrid Wood and Parquet are excellent options that can add warmth and create an inviting atmosphere to your interior.
