All about parquet

A real wood floor creates a warm, comfortable living environment where you can really feel at home.

Modern parquet is multilayer parquet

There are various differences when it comes to the processing and construction of parquet. You certainly still know the old, creaking solid parquet floors, often with large gaps between the joints that collect dirt over the years. It is not only possible that this old parquet can swell or shrink more or less strongly as a result of changing humidity and temperature. Solid wood parquet also consumes much more natural resources, which means much more precious wood is required for the same floor space than with a multilayer parquet floor. HARO Parquet uses latest research and decades of experience in the manufacturing of wood. This way, sophisticated parquet floors with multilayer construction are created that convince with a long life and excellent laying properties. It is no coincidence that HARO is the market leader¹ when it comes to parquet.

With multilayer parquet, a distinction is made between two basic types of parquet:

1. HARO Parquet boards, with 3-layer construction

HARO Parquet boards (Parquet Plank 1-Strip, Parquet Longstrip, Parquet Plank 1-Strip Plaza and Parquet Plank 1-Strip Toskana) are exclusively produced as multilayer parquet and made from several - in this case three - layers of wood. Solid spruce fingerstrips for the Top Series and an HDF middle layer for the entry-level series are used as a middle layer. The back consists of a softwood backing veneer. The visible top layer out of precious wood is attached onto the cleverly construed base. This construction with spruce strips that are attached transversely to the upper and lower layer optimally balances any tensions and reduces the natural "work" of wood compared to solid wood boards. This way, the multilayer construction ensures the long-lasting dimensional stability of HARO Parquet. This is why 3-layer parquet can also be installed floating, in particular thanks to the introduction of click parquet, which made installing possible for DIY home improvers. Of course, a full glue-down installation is also possible with HARO Parquet with a 3-layer construction for special application areas. This makes it even more stable, more durable and quieter. For full details, aks your local HARO dealer or professional installer.

2. HARO Strip Parquet, with 2-layer construction

HARO Strip Parquet builds on classic parquet installation patterns. The construction is designed in such a way that the parquet can be optimally glued-down onto the subfloor. The construction of 2-layer parquet and 3-layer parquet is very similiar. The top layer is made of precious wood and connected to the crosswise attached layer out of spruce strips; only the backing board as a third layer is left out. The latter is not necessary, as Strip Parquet must always be glued-down to the subfloor which gives it stability. Floating installation is not possible! Boards with the typical dimensions of 70 x 490 mm up to the impressive size of Plank 1-Strip of 180 x 2200 mm are glued-down with special, low-emission and solvent-free HARO Parquet Flexible Glue. This is of particular interest for renovations, as a lower construction height can be achieved. When installed by a professional installer, you will enjoy your HARO Parquet floor for a long time, which can also be installed with special patterns, like a herringbone pattern or with border inlays. A full glue-down installation is also the first choice for use above underfloor heating and installation in bathrooms (HARO Parquet Spa).

It is your personal taste that counts.

There are many factors that can influence the choice of a parquet floor. However, the application (such as the usage of the room or the intensity of usage) should only play a secondary role. With brand-quality parquet you can focus on your personal taste and let the visual factors of your dream floor decide:

1. Wood type and color

There are trees that grow fast, as well as small trees, large trees, extraordinary trees and many many others. Every tree has its very own characteristics and therefore its unique character. The wood type and the pace of growth of the respective tree determine the grain and the natural coloring of the parquet.
For most people, the color selection is most important. Many already have an image of the floor of their dreams in mind. This image can be influenced by personal experiences, such as the new floor at a neighbour's house, at friends or maybe a photograph in a glossy magazine you have just read. The natural coloration of a wood type has always been extended by various wood-technology procedures. Allegedly "boring" colors can be intensified and changed according to trends and personal taste. For your new parquet floor this results in a wide range of colors ranging from light to dark, depending on trends and personal taste. With the Puro product range, for example, HARO emphasizes modern puristic-natural interior designs with subtle colors and matt surfaces.
Beside the look, the wood type also determines characteristics like hardness and durability. For certain applications, the hardness of parquet can be of decisive importance. Hard wood types, for example, are better suited for heavily used residential areas than soft wood types. Under "Wood Types" you will find lots of interesting information about trees, the wood species and their characteristics, as well as their influence on the HARO parquet range.

Here you can learn more about the different wood types.

2. Grades

In addition to the color, the pattern of growth rings defines the individual look of a type of wood. The intensity of the pattern can be controlled in the grades.
As already described, it is the growth characteristics of the trees in particular which give the woods and thus the parquet its special character. If the color defines the wood type, it is the share of knots and sapwood in combination with the grain that defines the grade. With a choice grade, HARO Exquisit (longstrip parquet) or Exclusiv (plank 1-strip parquet) for instance, only selected parts of the log is used in manufacturing the parquet. In contrast, rougher grades such as Sauvage and Alabama use precisely those parts of the log that contain visible knots and sapwood. In some cases, these rustic elements are then further accented with a colored filler. Very rustic parquet grades are part of the current trend. Depending on the meticulousness and effort of the manufacturer, there are also diverse intermediate gradations in the parquet grade.
This selection during the production process is time-consuming and the desired quality can only be achieved when identified by the human eye. Yet it is precisely this personal touch that lets HARO Parquet achieve such a unique multidimensional and harmonious spatial effect. This gives you a very individual parquet that creates the ambiance you desire for your rooms.
To make your selection easier, HARO has clustered its parquet range. Parquet floor at HARO is divided into three parquet lines: Natural Line, Elegant Line and Classic Line. You will be able to more easily find the floor that suits your creative ideas, your existing decor and your personal style.

Read more about the different parquet grades here.

3. Board format

The board shape and design, including the dimensions of the overall board and individual elements, is a key factor in the room effect of your parquet. The various plank formats in the HARO range lets you selectively design your rooms and decide for yourself whether you prefer to integrate the generous look of the Plank 1-Strip Plaza or the harmonious room effect of the HARO Parquet Stab Scala in your interior design - with HARO Parquet you can create very special home atmospheres with individual appeal.

Here you can find all the information you need about the board width of parquet.

4. The feel - Experience of surface texture and treatment

When selecting a parquet floor, the last and most direct factor when it comes to look and feel are the different surfaces. The surface texture is what you mainly feel when walking barefoot on, for example, scraped or brushed parquet floors. With brushing, the soft wood fibres are brushed out in a special procedure, so that only the hard wood parts remain. The longer the surface is brushed, the more structured the parquet becomes, giving it more character. This is why we call it brushed parquet surfaces. Another trend is the "used look" that can be achieved by a deliberate emphasis of knots, and beveled edges that remind of old wood boards. At HARO Parquet, these surface textures are called Parquet Retro 3D and Parquet Retro.

Further information on parquet surface textures can be referenced here.

The surface treatment is just as perceptible as the surface texture, in particular with oiled parquet floors. The variations range from prefinished surfaces to natural oil finish parquet. Cleaning and maintenance of the floor were often reasons to forego the beauty of a natural surface. This reason is no longer valid thanks to the introduction of the revolutionary clean & green care system.

Here you can find more information on the surface treatments for parquet.

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