Is it possible to paint parquet boards?

One of the biggest problems with natural wood flooring is wear and tear, which can cause the floor to lose its spectacular appearance and require expensive repairs. Significant savings, in this case, will be contributed by painting the parquet, which has several different options. With its help, the floor covering will restore its stylish appearance, plus this will significantly extend its service life.

You don’t have to wait until the surface wears out to change its color; you can do it at any time

Parquet floor painting options

For many people, old and overly worn parquet floors cause a lot of inconvenience. Repairing it, let alone completely changing it, will require quite a large investment, which many of them are not ready for. It is for this reason that owners of apartments with this type of flooring have a question about whether it is possible to paint the parquet and what is needed for this.

Painting a parquet floor is enough to transform the entire interior

You can paint parquet with your own hands using several types of paints and varnishes, with the help of which the floor will regain its presentable appearance, namely:

parquet paint, specially designed for painting the surface of finishing materials made of natural wood;
stain, the properties of which allow you to restore the natural texture of the parquet board;
tinting varnish, which, in addition to coloring, also has protective properties, protecting the parquet from the negative effects of high humidity;
mastic that has various properties that restore the texture of wood, which can not only give the parquet its original appearance, but also reliably protect its surface.

Each of the above options for restoring the paint layer of a parquet floor covering has certain nuances, to comply with which you must have both certain skills and various specialized tools. That is why the simplest and most affordable option is to paint the floor covering, which will require minimal knowledge and a small amount of tools, often available in any apartment.

As in any other matter, before you start painting, you need to study the base

Modern manufacturers of paints and varnishes supply large quantities of parquet paints to the domestic market, made on a water-soluble acrylic or latex base, due to which these enamels have excellent performance properties and are quite simply applied to a wooden surface. A wide range of colors of water-soluble acrylic and latex enamels allows you to easily match them to any interior design.

Particularly popular is the option of painting parquet flooring white, which many designers recommend using as a neutral element that has an excellent combination with objects of any other shade, and in addition hides minor defects of the parquet board well.

Where to start finishing?

The variety of paint and varnish products on sale allows you to obtain the most unexpected and interesting shades and textures. With the slightest effort and material costs, you can turn an old coating into a true work of art.

So, how to paint parquet flooring yourself? Parquet flooring is painted in 2 stages:

Applying primer to the wood surface.
Coating the floor with varnish or paint.

How to properly apply paint to a parquet floor

The big advantage of painting a parquet floor with acrylic or latex enamel is that the entire process can be done with your own hands, without the need to involve third-party specialists, which will make it possible to significantly save on floor repairs.

For these purposes, it is worth purchasing the necessary paint, putty, a special primer for wooden surfaces, sealant, an electric sander with a set of sandpaper and several brushes with rollers, after which you can safely start painting, strictly following all the steps listed below:

Tools and consumables for painting are not that expensive and will definitely come in handy around the house

At the first stage, the so-called sanding is carried out, which is a thorough removal of all paint and varnish materials that were previously applied to the old parquet. This is done using a grinding machine, onto which coarse-grain sandpaper is mounted. As the floor is treated, it is gradually changed to fine-grained. Before sanding, it would be useful to place a protective film on the walls, in the lower part, which will protect their decorative finish from accidental damage.

After sanding, it is necessary to carefully inspect all parquet boards for their deformation and the presence of mechanical damage, which can significantly spoil the appearance after painting the floor. Any minor damage found is treated with putty and re-sanded, and heavily damaged boards of the old parquet are replaced with new ones.

Drum type machine for parquet scraping

At the third stage, all the seams of the parquet boards are treated with sealant to protect against moisture getting inside, after which the room is completely cleaned, removing all dirt and grease marks on the floor. Next, apply a layer of primer to the floor covering and leave for a couple of hours until completely dry. The primer is needed in order to fill all the pores in the parquet boards and for more effective adhesion of the paint to the surface of the floor covering, as a result of which the service life of the parquet board is significantly increased.

What paint and varnish compositions can be used when painting parquet boards?

There is a wide range of paint and varnish products that are used for the restoration of parquet flooring. Most often, hand-painted parquet planks involve opening the floor with impregnation to highlight the wood texture, and varnish to preserve the natural appearance of the pattern and protect it from external mechanical damage. But the simple method is not always considered suitable. Sometimes restoration of the floor covering requires changing the shade of the parquet. Therefore, many people wonder how to change the color of parquet varnish to achieve the desired result.

paint for parquet can be different. This is the brown shade we are used to, or even white. In this case, the decoration of the room is considered paramount. But do not forget that parquet planks are no different from plank flooring. Therefore, the materials used in the process of surface restoration with varnish and paint are oriented towards wood
When painting, it is recommended to use water-soluble acrylic or latex compounds. They will increase the resistance of the parquet to abrasion and mechanical stress during operation. To achieve a change in the shade of a parquet floor, the surface is exposed with tinting, on top of which varnish is applied in several layers.

Acrylic paint for parquet
The range of paint and varnish products today is wide

Therefore, it is important to carefully select the composition and apply instructions for the correct application of varnishes and paints

A popular primer for parquet restoration. It is also called a primer varnish, characterized by transparency, preservation of wood texture and shine

After the parquet surface has completely dried, it is important to apply a finishing varnish. Moreover, it is recommended to do this in several layers.

Depending on what degree of gloss you want to achieve in the end.

Primer for parquet boards

When to paint parquet

Although hardwood floors last a long time, they do not last forever. A clear sign that it is time to renew the flooring will be wear and tear on the flooring. If it has worn down, nicks have formed on the boards, and the varnish has worn off, then repairs are necessary. Not everyone knows whether the parquet can be painted or whether it will have to be completely replaced. In fact, there is nothing complicated about it. You can carry out all the repair work yourself, and it will cost less than completely replacing the materials with new ones. A painted board will look renewed and will last for several more years or decades.

When is it necessary to replace doors and baseboards?

Let's start with the baseboard. If you definitely decide to replace the old baseboard with a new one, then it must be removed before sanding the floor. This will enable the craftsman to sand the parquet right up to the wall and in the future you will not have to look for a wider baseboard than you had before. You can choose a plinth that you like, the main thing is that it covers the thermal seam between the parquet and the wall.

Now about replacing the door block. Be sure to dismantle the old block before sanding the floor, because... new door blocks may differ in width. Install new doors; if, as a result of the replacement, cracks have formed on the parquet near the jambs, then before starting parquet work we will be able to carefully correct the situation. Just tell the technologist that you have had your doors replaced.

Selection of materials for painting

To restore the coating, you can use the classical method. A layer of stain is applied to the base to highlight the wood structure, and then varnish is used. However, this method is not suitable for cases where the boards are very worn. In this situation, you will need to use a coating coating. When restoring the floor, water-soluble paints are used. Parquet is painted using acrylic or latex enamels. They have a high wear resistance threshold. To select the material, follow the following recommendations:

Please ensure that the paint is intended specifically for floors. The boards will be constantly exposed to stress, so the material must withstand them.
Is it possible to paint parquet floors with a different color paint? It is possible, but not recommended. It is best to choose a shade 1 - 2 shades darker than the previous one. You should not experiment with colors that are too light (especially white), as they will be difficult to apply.
If the parquet pattern is beautiful and you want to preserve it, you need to choose a material that does not affect the structure of the boards. Most often, this is not a very dense paint, which only refreshes the shade.
Pay attention to the absorbency of the wood and the type of parquet board. For example, painting pine should be done only with paints that are designed for soft wood. Classic materials are suitable for oak coverings.

Water-soluble acrylic enamels

Acrylic enamel is a fairly popular paint for parquet. She has an impressive list of positive qualities. We are talking about an affordable price, resistance to temperature changes, as well as safety during application. The paint dries quickly and there is no specific odor during work. In addition, acrylic enamel allows wood to “breathe” because it has good permeability. The renewed coating will last 5 – 10 years. In most cases, semi-gloss enamel is purchased for floors. When it dries, it forms an elastic film with high strength on the surface.

Latex enamels

This is one of the types of water-soluble materials. Latex enamel has the same advantages as acrylic enamel. The only difference is the service life of the coating. If you use this paint, you can forget about repairs for the next 15 to 20 years. After application, surface care will become easier. It will be easier to clean the floors from dirt, since a dense glossy film will form. Another plus is that latex enamel is applied in a thin layer and does not affect the structure of the boards. The drawing remains the same. The only possible disadvantage is insufficient resistance to sub-zero temperatures.

Painting parquet - how to do it right

After a certain time, every owner of his apartment or house thinks about how to carry out repairs on his own.

If there is parquet on the floor, then the thought immediately comes to mind of how to paint the old parquet so that it looks attractive again.

Be that as it may, but for this you need to have the appropriate tool, such as a spray bottle or roller, a brush, varnish, primer and, of course, a sander with a set of sandpaper of various grain sizes. But that’s not all, since painting parquet is a responsible undertaking with its own approaches and nuances.

Finishing work

Many people are interested in one question: is it possible to paint parquet flooring?

Of course, it is possible, since parquet is made from ordinary wood, only processed to a higher quality.

The only thing is that you can paint parquet with regular paint without any special preparatory measures.

paints and varnishes

Quite often you can come across a technology where a layer of stain is applied to a wooden base to highlight the structure of the wood, after which the surface is varnished. If the parquet is old and worn out, then this technology is not suitable, since there is no point in highlighting the worn layers of wood. The most suitable option is to improve the appearance of old parquet using paint or tinting.
The paint for parquet can be of any shade, which guarantees a complete match of the color of the floor in relation to the overall interior. When choosing paint for parquet, colors play a very important role, although the application technology is no different from the method of application to a regular plank floor.
To cover parquet, acrylic or latex water-soluble enamels with increased abrasion resistance are used. Various tints are used to correct the shade. First, a special tint is applied, and then everything is covered with two or more layers of varnish. The choice of necessary paints and varnishes is quite large. The main thing is to follow the application technology, then the painted parquet will last for many years.
Before applying paint and varnish, it is possible to use a primer to preserve the wood texture. And only at the end of all operations the finishing varnish is applied to the floor. To achieve the desired result, you may need 2 or even 3 layers of finishing varnish.

Preparation

Before you paint the parquet with your own hands, you should carry out a number of preparatory operations. The quality of the final result depends on them.

If we consider old parquet, then painting the parquet with your own hands will be very useful in terms of acquiring skills.

After such training, you can safely take on painting the new floor.

To obtain the quality of the work performed, the old coating should be completely removed, reaching the living wood.

This is done using a grinding machine using coarse sandpaper.

To give the plane a finished look, finer sandpaper is passed over it.

As a result of such an operation, the finished surface should resemble a fresh, just laid floor, where the boundaries of adjacent planks are clearly visible.

This will indicate the quality of the work done. Sometimes, for more thorough processing, cycles are used.

Preparing for work

Before you begin restoring old parquet, you need to properly prepare it for work. To do this, follow the following sequence of actions:

First, remove the remnants of the previous coating. This can be varnish, paint or primer. You need to get to the wood itself. It is most convenient to use a grinding machine for this. You can do this manually, although it will take much more time and effort. Before carrying out work, it is necessary to protect your eyes and ears from dust entering them. Also, take care of a respirator in advance to protect your respiratory system.
When sanding, use different attachments alternately. First, use sandpaper with a rough texture. It is used to clean the surface diagonally. The overlap with the subsequent path should be 5 cm. Then use a medium-grained nozzle. They also move diagonally, but in the opposite direction. The last step is to sand the floors with fine-grained sandpaper.
Check to see how well the floors are cleaned. If a sanding machine is used, the parquet must be sanded manually in the corners.
After sanding is completed, the room must be thoroughly cleaned of dust. The surface is vacuumed and checked for obvious chips or cracks. It is best to replace boards with severe defects before painting.

Painting parquet, useful tips

Replacing parquet with a new one is quite an expensive and time-consuming undertaking.

Therefore, during renovations, people often ask the question: is it possible to paint parquet floors themselves? There is an answer to the question, and it is positive.

Staining will not only give new life to your parquet floor, but will make it much more attractive. If desired, it is possible to use colored coloring compounds or stain.

But before you arm yourself with brushes and a roller, it doesn’t hurt to familiarize yourself with the technology of painting the floor. We will tell you about it in this article.

Where to start finishing?

So, how to paint parquet flooring yourself? Parquet flooring is painted in 2 stages:

Applying primer to the wood surface.
Coating the floor with varnish or paint.

Selection of paints and varnishes

When choosing paint, you need to consider brands designed specifically for the floor, taking into account the increased load that parquet experiences.

As for the shade, you need to choose the option that is in harmony with the interior.

However, in order for the result to be truly impressive, you need to take a color that is about one tone darker than the original one.

Important! Is it possible to paint parquet boards a different color? There is nothing stopping you from painting the floor a light color, even white, but any imperfections on such a surface will be much more noticeable.

Decide whether you want to radically change the color of the floor or just refresh the coating:

The natural texture of wood is hardly worth hiding under paint. There are also paints on sale that preserve the natural texture and beauty of wood.
It is also necessary to take into account the type of wood from which the parquet is made. For example, for a pine board, a varnish intended for soft wood is suitable. But, since the most common one is oak parquet, most of the standard varnishes and dyes are designed specifically for oak.

Let's look at the most common types of paints.

Acrylic water soluble

These paints are popular for plank flooring. Distinctive features of acrylic paints:

Low cost.
Variety of color options.
Resistant to temperature changes.
Safety.
No unpleasant odors during operation.
“Breathing” properties (vapour permeability).
Fast drying.

Important! The service life of such flooring is 4-10 years. Semi-gloss enamels are best suited for painting floor coverings.

Latex compounds

Another option for painting parquet is latex solutions. The basis for obtaining latex paint is the juice of rubber plants. Latex-type paints have the same advantages as acrylic paints.

Caring for floors painted with latex paint is very simple. It can be kept clean with absolutely no effort.

Important! The advantage of latex dye is a thin layer of application. This means that the wood texture can be preserved.

Latex also has its disadvantages. In particular, it does not tolerate low temperatures well.

However, for home flooring this is not critical.

Primer

When varnishing a parquet floor, preliminary coating with a primer is mandatory.

Important! The primer allows you to eliminate small defects (chips and cracks), as well as apply the varnish in a more even layer. Wood treated with a primer is unattractive to bacteria and mold.

You need to choose a primer depending on the type of varnish used:

For solvent-based or polyurethane varnish, a similar primer composition is suitable.
Acrylic type primer is suitable for water-dispersion varnish.

Important! If you don't want the board to change color, use a clear product.

Preparing the floor for work

Painting parquet flooring is a slightly more labor-intensive task than painting a regular plank floor. Preparatory work is advisable for a new parquet floor, but for an old flooring it is completely mandatory.

The floor is prepared according to the following algorithm:

Clean the floor from dirt: sweep and then wash.
Using film, protect the walls at the bottom if they have a decorative coating.
Inspect the parquet. Delaminated or sagging boards need to be replaced.

Before painting old parquet, you need to remove any remnants of old varnish, primer or paint from it so that only clean wood remains. This process is called scraping.

Important! It is advisable to sand the floor using a special sanding machine.

Companies that renovate apartments provide this service, and the prices are quite reasonable.

If you want to do everything yourself, there is no need to buy expensive equipment. The same repair companies rent out equipment.

When sanding the floor, you must wear a respirator and safety glasses. Take care to ventilate the room. It is advisable that the grinding device be equipped with a dust collector. When grinding, different attachments are used:

Primary processing of the coating is carried out with coarse sandpaper in a diagonal direction. The next track overlaps the previous one by about 50 mm.
The second stage is the use of a nozzle with medium-grain sandpaper. It is carried out diagonally, in a direction perpendicular to the primary one.
The last stage is the use of fine-grained sandpaper for processing.
The most difficult to access areas are sanded by hand.

Applying paint

After completing the preparatory stage, you can paint the old parquet with a pre-selected enamel. To do this you will need to choose the right tools. You can use a regular brush. However, this will take a lot of time. Therefore, it is most often recommended to buy a roller or sprayer. You should not use products made from foam rubber, as they leave marks and do not paint uneven surfaces very well. Even after drying, it will be noticeable that the paint applied unevenly. To paint the floor, it is better to purchase a roller made of wool or mohair (with a long handle). If liquid paint is used for repair work, a special sprayer can be used. In addition, it is suitable for those cases when you need to process a large area, and doing it manually is difficult. Before painting the parquet, you must once again make sure that there is no dust or other visible contaminants left on the boards. The further process consists of the following steps:

Make sure there is access to fresh air in the room. Vapors most often have a negative effect on the human body.
To avoid damaging your clothes, use a special suit. Also wear a respirator to protect your respiratory tract.
The composition must be applied from the far corner of the room, gradually moving towards the exit.
Make sure that the paint does not pool and form uneven spots. Wipe them immediately with a dry cloth and reapply the enamel, as it dries quickly. For the same reason, you need to immediately erase marks if you accidentally hit walls or any objects.
If additional varnish is applied, the floor will need to be covered in several layers. Each subsequent one is placed across the previous one. At least 2 days should pass between application of layers.

Water-soluble enamels dry on average 10 – 12 hours. It is necessary to wait this period before starting to apply a new layer (if more than one layer will be applied). To ensure that no traces remain on the painted floor, it is recommended to install furniture no earlier than 1 - 2 weeks after the repair. But you can walk on the boards the next day.

How and with what to paint old parquet without sanding

Parquet is one of the most elite floor coverings.

Its natural color and intricate design add beauty and sophistication to any room, be it a house or an apartment.

In addition to attractiveness, parquet also has such positive properties as strength and durability.

But even on such a coating, due to improper use or care, various defects may appear over time (cracks, depressions, squeaks, loss of shine and darkening of individual areas).

The most correct decision would be to entrust the repair and subsequent painting of the parquet to professionals, but this will require considerable material costs.

Therefore, another option is suitable for many - read our recommendations on how to paint old parquet without sanding and do everything yourself.

Choice of painting methods

There are several options for updating your floor. The first is to simply cover it with paint that matches the color of the interior. The floor will look original if it is painted not in one color, but in several.

Various patterns also look beautiful, for example, black and white checkerboard and other patterns.

But complete painting is not always acceptable due to the fact that the structure of the wood is hidden and the floor is deprived of its zest.

Therefore, most often, to repair the coating, they use special paints, through which the beautiful natural texture of the parquet is visible, or they treat it with varnish. Before varnishing, if desired, you can change the shade of the parquet by pre-treating it with stain.

What tool will you need?

To prepare the coating for restoration and the painting process itself, you will need the following tools:

construction vacuum cleaner;
wide and narrow brushes, paint roller;
spray;
hammer and chisel;
construction hair dryer;
set of spatulas;
a bath or bucket for mixing the varnish composition;
sandpaper of different grain sizes;
protective suit, goggles, gloves and respirator.

It is better to rent a construction vacuum cleaner, since there is no point in purchasing one. If you do everything well, the next time you will need it in decades.

Selection of materials

When choosing paint or varnish, preference should be given to those varieties that are made specifically for the floor, because it is subject to serious regular loads. The color of the paint should be such that the coating is in harmony with the interior of the room. It is advisable to select a shade of varnish that is a shade darker than in the previous coating.

You also need to take into account such an important parameter as the absorbency of wood.

For example, pine with its soft structure requires a special type of varnish, while standard parquet flooring is suitable for oak.

There is a large selection of varnishes on the market, so in order to help you decide, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with them in more detail.
Name Service life Composition Cost Advantages Disadvantages

Water-based varnishes	10 years	Fine suspension of polymer (PVA or other) in water	Inexpensive	They are odorless, dry quickly, penetrate the wood well, and give it strength.	Slightly change the color of the wood, fade from exposure to ultraviolet radiation
Epoxy two-component	30–40 years	Epoxy resin and hardener	Expensive	Very durable, resistant to moisture, have a high level of gloss	Hardens for a long time, inelastic
Acrylic	50 or more years	Acrylic dispersion, antiseptic and plasticizer	Expensive	Low toxicity, durable and elastic, fireproof, resistant to mechanical stress	Requires mixing
Alkyd and uralkyd	No more than 10 years	Alkyd resins and natural oils, white spirit	Inexpensive	Non-toxic, enhances the natural beauty of wood, wear-resistant and resistant to temperature and humidity changes	It is necessary to monitor the thickness of the layer; they are sensitive to high temperatures during drying.

In addition, various primers are used to cover parquet. They are also called primer varnishes.

They are transparent, through them the structure of the wood is clearly visible and the shine is obtained, like from varnish.

But it should be taken into account that each type of primer is suitable for a certain type of varnish, otherwise you may end up with a stained floor that will have to be restored again.

Preparing for painting

Before painting or varnishing the surface of the parquet, you need to remove the old layer of varnish. This work is done using sandpaper of different grain sizes.

And it’s better to do this not with your hands, but with your feet, attaching the skins to unnecessary flat shoes. This is of course not only comical, but also very tiring, but the result is worth it.

First, take the coarsest-grained skin, and then gradually move on to the finest.

The second option is to remove the old varnish using a hair dryer and a spatula, and then clean it with sandpaper.

To obtain a good quality floor, it is advisable to remove the old varnish completely, and not just in those places where it has peeled off or darkened.

You may not know what type of varnish was used last time, and if you apply a different type, an undesirable reaction may occur.

It is not advisable to remove varnish with a solvent, as it may leave stains. As a result, you will have to sand and varnish again.

In addition, you will continue to breathe harmful fumes from the solvent for a long time. Therefore, it is always preferable if this work is performed by specialists.

They will remove the top layer of wood using sanders.

Elimination of small cracks, fallen knots and scratches

Before you begin the final stage of work - painting the floor, carefully remove all construction debris and dust with a vacuum cleaner and a damp cloth.

Small defects on the parquet are masked using putty (its tone should be as close as possible to the future color of the coating).

After grouting cracks and scratches, the floor is dried and then sanded again with fine-grained sandpaper. At the next stage, remove the dust again with a vacuum cleaner and a damp cloth.

If desired, you can make the putty yourself.

Take a piece of parquet tile (the same color and texture as on the coating), cut small sawdust from it and mix it with varnish or paint. The consistency should be close to plasticine.

Some craftsmen try to add PVA glue to wood shavings, but we do not recommend doing this, since during sanding it clogs the grains of the nozzle.

To draw joints similar to real ones on the putty areas of the parquet, take a metal ruler and an awl. This should be done at the moment when the putty stops sticking, but is still soft.

To draw straight false joints, use an awl to draw along a ruler. And uneven seams are made by lightly pressing the putty with the edge of a ruler.

If you need to draw false joints on already set putty, then use an awl with great effort along a ruler or a template made of galvanized metal.

How to varnish parquet

Before you start varnishing the floor, do the following preliminary work:

make sure the parquet is even and clean (its final quality will depend on this);
protect the bottom of the wall (so that the varnish does not get on the wallpaper);
wear special clothing and respiratory protection;
open windows and doors to ensure the room is well ventilated (some varnishes are very toxic).

First, it is advisable to apply a primer, and after it has completely dried, you can begin the process of coating the parquet with varnish.

In some cases, experts do not recommend using a primer mixture. Some people are interested in whether it is possible to paint parquet flooring with a brush.

Application of varnishes for parquet coating

The most common transparent or tinted composition for treating wood and preserving its original natural appearance is varnish. It creates a protective film on the wood that prevents the parquet board from absorbing moisture, and also protects the floor from scratches, chips, splinters and deformation due to temperature changes.

There are water-based and acrylic-based parquet varnishes, alkyd varnishes, and quick-drying nitro varnishes. Each type has undeniable advantages and disadvantages. The advantages of parquet varnishes include:

No wood painting. The parquet retains its natural color;
Resistance to moisture and changes in ambient temperature;
A protective layer that preserves the board from external influences;
Aesthetically attractive appearance;
Low cost.

But varnish for parquet boards also has some disadvantages. This:

Long drying time of the composition. Nitrovarnishes emit harmful fumes, although they dry quickly;
Cracks that appear over time on the varnish surface are very noticeable;
To re-process, it is necessary to completely remove the previous layer and re-process the wood;
Requires special equipment for application;
Most often not resistant to alcohol.

Nevertheless, varnishing parquet boards does not go out of fashion and is one of the most reliable ways to protect floors. And visually, the varnished board looks attractive. High-quality modern varnishes allow you to avoid most of the shortcomings.

Paint the parquet white

Light parquet or parquet boards never cease to be a fashionable, environmentally friendly, modern and sought-after trend. Corresponds to Nordic minimalism, now a popular Scandinavian style. It is known that white color has a positive effect on a person’s physical condition, stimulates the functioning of the visual organs and the endocrine system, and cleanses your body of unnecessary waste and toxins. Painting parquet white or gray is white tinting or bleaching parquet, which is noticeably different from regular parquet tinting. This matter requires an individual approach, special skill and skill.

Parquet oil

An environmentally friendly method of treating floors, which appeared on the market of paints and varnishes relatively recently, is oil compositions. Unlike varnishes, it impregnates and protects the wood more deeply, and it dries in the shortest possible time. The absence of harmful fumes during use also plays an important role in choosing this coating method for a home where there are children or people with allergies.

The oil is applied in one layer, which does not require additional equipment or any special skills. Does not crack over time and is resistant to alcohol. But, of course, like any composition, the oil also has its disadvantages:

Oil coating does not protect the parquet board from sudden temperature changes;
Changes the shade of wood, makes it darker, although it emphasizes the structure;
Does not create an additional layer that protects the parquet from scratches and impacts, and your feet from splinters;
It has a higher cost than varnish compositions.

Despite the presence of negative characteristics, oil compositions are perfect for those who need environmentally friendly and safe floors, as well as ease of application and processing.

Antiseptic compounds and impregnations for high-quality parquet processing

In fact, a parquet board is ordinary wood, only of high quality with improved characteristics, because the floor has to withstand maximum load. Therefore, processing parquet is not much different from processing wooden panels and products.

The floors should first be prepared for painting by removing all previous layers of varnish and paint, and even the top layer of wood. Then the parquet is well impregnated with protective antiseptic and water-repellent agents, after which the floor is painted with the selected type and color of paint.

The choice of antiseptics is important. A correctly selected composition will qualitatively and permanently protect the floor covering from the destructive effects of moisture, ultraviolet radiation and various bacteria. Antiseptic compounds are applied to cleaned and sanded wood, after which the boards can be coated with varnishes, paints or oil compounds.

Impregnations provide additional protection and improve the appearance of parquet boards. The composition can be used to treat pre-painted coatings, facilitating subsequent floor care and increasing the wear resistance of paints and wood. Thanks to impregnation, you can restore old parquet flooring to its excellent appearance and update the interior of the room.

Parquet processing

Depending on what composition the parquet board will be treated with, the necessary properties of pre-treatment, as well as subsequent care of the floors, change.

When treating parquet with varnish compounds, you must ensure that there is no dust, dirt or moisture on the wood. First, the top layer is removed from the board, after which it is primed and varnished in several layers. Varnish compositions can be matte, glossy, with additional shades and are applied using special equipment in several layers. This coating lasts for years, is easy to clean and looks beautiful.

Oil or oil-wax compositions for parquet are applied to pre-cleaned and treated lamellas. Unlike varnish, they do not require repeated processing - often two layers are enough, which can be applied independently without additional equipment. If you do not impregnate the oil coating with additional impregnations, the surface of the parquet board will be glossy, creating the effect of untreated wood. It is more difficult to care for such a floor, since cleaning will require additional detergents.

Making your own stain

If you couldn’t find the right shade of stain in the store, you can prepare the coloring composition yourself.

There are several ways:

Boil 200 grams of larch bark in 250 ml of water (the result is a reddish stain).
Boil a few tablespoons of crushed dried walnut shells in 250 grams. The prepared broth is cooled and mixed with 1 tsp. soda (it turns out a brown stain).
Tea leaves of varying strength will help tint the wood into different shades of brown.
A strong solution of potassium permanganate will paint the parquet red.

Choosing the final coating for parquet

To make the final choice of the composition that should be used to treat a wooden floor, it is worth considering several factors.

Residential or public premises

For a small room with a small visitor, covering parquet boards with oil compounds is quite suitable. This flooring will create a special atmosphere of comfort in the room with its naturalness and pleasant appearance.

For public places it is better to use varnish treatment. Such a floor will be easier to clean and the varnish coating will provide more reliable protection for the wood.

High or low ambient humidity

Rooms with high moisture should be treated with oil. In such conditions, the varnish coating can quickly crack due to deformation of the board, losing its useful properties and appearance.

Necessary environmental safety for residents

In rooms where small children live, who like to sit and crawl on the floor, oil coating has advantages over varnish compositions. But it is worth remembering that when choosing any composition for flooring, you should pay attention to the presence of the necessary certification and confirmation of the safety of the coating.

Permanent or temporary coverage

Considering that oil saturates the parquet board quite deeply, it will be almost impossible to switch from oil to varnish. Applying varnish compounds to a previously oiled board can lead to cracking of the slats and damage to the entire floor.

Coverage cost

The price depends on various factors - manufacturer, components, quality, functionality of the composition. On average, a varnish coating is cheaper, although if you purchase oil-based coatings with enhanced protective functions, it can cost more.

Based on these facts, you can decide what is better for a parquet board - varnish or oil, only for your own case. There is no general clear answer. The main thing is that the coating is made from high-quality, proven compounds and meets all aesthetic expectations.