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How to Install parquet tile to floor?

| Posted in Construction Techniques on August 13, 2007 08:05am

I am intending placing parquet floor as a DIY project and have read a number of articles on the subject and there is not much mention on edge to edge gluing other than using polyurethane glue under the timber sheets. The original idea I had was to construct the pattern as tiles, in my workshop, using a template and then placing these into position on the floor. However I would not be able to carry these to the site if they’re not glued edge to edge other than gluing them on a thin layer of plywood and then taking them to the site. I already have particle board panel sheets installed as a sub-floor which has been sanded down flat, but not sure whether that would mean having to glue the timber parquet tiles to the plywood using polyurethane and then using the same for gluing the plywood  to the particleboard floor. (Meaning using twice as much glue)

Can someone please explain or point to any article that may explain the steps required when making parquet as tiles first and then positioning them to the subfloor, including edge to edge joing of the timber sheets? Help is appreciated.

 

 

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  1. DaveRicheson | Aug 13, 2007 01:27pm | #1

    Welcome to breaktime.

    This reply will serve as a bump to get your post moved toward the top of the list. Someone will be along shortly to ask you to refine your description, or give you the advice you seek.

     

    Dave

  2. FastEddie | Aug 13, 2007 02:54pm | #2

    From your grammer it sounds like you're not in the US.  Where are you? 

    It is typical to do fancy inlays (compass rose for example) by glueing thinner pieces of wood to a plywood backing, then fastening that in place in the regular floor boards.  Are you intending to do the entire floor this way, or just some inserts?

    What exactly is your particle board subfloor?  What we call particle board here in the states is definately not suitable.  Many types of plywood are suitable, and they are all stamped "underlayment rated" at the mill.

    What glue are you proposing to use?  Certainly if you bought several bottles of Gorilla Glue or another poplyurthane glue it would be expensive.  Do you have acess to Bosticks Best adhesive?

    There is an excellent forum for hardwood floor that you might check.  hardwoodinstaller dot com.  Very friendly and helpful folks.

    "Put your creed in your deed."   Emerson

    "When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it."  T. Roosevelt



    Edited 8/13/2007 7:56 am ET by FastEddie

    1. samg75 | Aug 14, 2007 02:06am | #3

      I live in Australia and the particleboard sheets were recommended to us as a suitable sub-floor for a variery of floor coverings including hardwood floors, however there was no specific mention whether these would be suitable for parquet floors. Details of the type of particleboard we are using can be found at the following  site:

      http://www.woodpanels.org.au/publications/designmanuals/structuralflooring.asp

      I suppose if we had no other choice we could nail down a thin layer of plywood to the particleboard and then adhere the parquet timber sheets to the plywood. I haven't as yet started the project, this is at present the so called research and preparation stage. We have a large area to cover so before I embark in spending a great deal of money I am attempting to find as much detail as possible.

      In so far to glues I have not committed to any brand as yet, but we do have Bostick products and I can investigate the product you've mentioned. I am assuming this is an inexepensive yet effetive glue for the intended purpose?

      The pattern we have in mind is a basketweave type design using tiles approximately 1m x 1m (39.4in x 39.4in) and the individual timber sheets being 100mm wide and 20mm thick. (3.9in wide and 0.8in thick).

      Other than gluing the tiles to the underlay are the timber sheets glued edge to edge?

      Thank you for your response.

       

      1. FastEddie | Aug 14, 2007 03:28am | #7

        In the interest of fostering good relations with the folks down under, I found the article.

        The author makes a jig to hold thge parts square, lays in a piece of kraft paper (like a brown paper grocery bag), spreads wallpaper paste on the upper face of the paper, and then lays in the pieces of wood in the desired pattern.

        When he has enough sections of parquet to work with, he spreads urethane adhesive on the subfloor, and lays the parquest sections like tile.  After a few tiles are laid, he sprays the kraft paper with water, lets it soak for less than a minute, then carefully peels off the kraft.  He does not mention edge gluing the little pieces."Put your creed in your deed."   Emerson

        "When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it."  T. Roosevelt

  3. Waters | Aug 14, 2007 02:28am | #4

    There was indeed a recent article (this year) in FHB (i think! could have been JLC!) on making your own parquet.  The author, a floor installer, made his own parq. and temporary glued them to paper backing which came off with water after he'd glued them down with adhesive made for parquet.

    Check back FHB issues from this year.  If somebody hasn't already told you which issue..

    1. samg75 | Aug 14, 2007 03:01am | #5

      Yes I did read the article but I may have missed the explanation on whether the timber sheets were edge to edge glued together. The tile we are intending to build is a large one (1m x 1m) and I am not sure how the paper would cope with the weight of the tile during transportation to the site without support between the timber sheets.

      So far I've not had a sufficient answer to how the sheets are abutted together, whether with glue or whether I need to create a groove on the edges and place a spline or other? This is one of the main questions I've not found details as yet. Most likely it's a simple explanation, but I must be missing it.

      Thanks

      1. FastEddie | Aug 14, 2007 03:16am | #6

        Well that plywood article you attached talks about structural particleboard, and the pictures look a little like what we call Advantech ... tongue & groove sheets.  So it could be appropriate.  Probably just a matter of terminology. 

        Bostick is not cheap, but it is an industry standard here for glue-down flooring.

        "Put your creed in your deed."   Emerson

        "When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it."  T. Roosevelt

        Edited 8/13/2007 8:17 pm ET by FastEddie

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