Okay, here’s my blog post about installing some parquet timber flooring, written in a casual, first-person style:

So, I’ve been wanting to redo the flooring in my spare room for, like, forever. Carpet was just…ugh. Always getting dirty, and it never really felt clean, you know? I finally decided to go for it and try some of that cool-looking parquet timber. The “keel dancing” style – because it has a slight wave that looks super dynamic. Figured it would be a fun weekend project. Famous last words, right?

Getting Started (and Immediately Hitting a Snag)

First things first, I cleared out the room. That meant wrestling a giant bookshelf and a surprisingly heavy desk. My back was already complaining, and I hadn’t even touched a single piece of wood. Then came the carpet removal. Let me tell you, pulling up old carpet is a workout! And the dust! I was coughing for, like, an hour afterward. I definitely recommend a good mask for that part. Should have thought of that sooner, I guess.

Once the carpet was gone (and disposed of – that was another adventure), I had to deal with the underlay. More staples than I could count! I spent what felt like a lifetime on my hands and knees with pliers, pulling out those little suckers. My thumbs were killing me.

Prepping the Subfloor (The Boring But Important Part)

Okay, so the fun part was supposed to be next, but I knew I had to prep the subfloor properly. It’s that concrete slab stuff, and it had some… imperfections. A few cracks, some uneven spots. I grabbed some self-leveling compound and got to work filling in the gaps. That stuff is weirdly satisfying to use, like pouring pancake batter, but way less tasty. I used a big trowel to spread it around and make sure it was all even. Then, the waiting game. It needed to dry completely before I could even think about the wood.

Laying the Parquet (Finally!)

The next day, the subfloor was ready! I unpacked all the parquet pieces. They looked so pretty all stacked up! I’d watched a bunch of videos online, so I felt somewhat prepared. I started in one corner, applying adhesive to the back of each piece and carefully setting it in place. The “keel dancing” pattern meant paying close attention to the direction of each piece – I didn’t want to mess that up!

• Tip 1: Dry fit a few rows first! This helped me get a feel for the pattern and avoid any awkward cuts later.
• Tip 2: Use spacers! These little plastic things keep the gaps between the pieces consistent, which is super important for expansion and contraction.
• Tip 3: Don’t be afraid to use a rubber mallet. Sometimes those pieces need a little… persuasion… to fit together snugly.

It was slow going, I’m not gonna lie. My knees were aching, my back was screaming, and I definitely made a few mistakes. There were a couple of pieces I had to pry up and re-do because I’d put them down crooked. But slowly, surely, the floor started to take shape. It actually looked pretty good, the wave pattern gives a great feel to the floor!

Finishing Touches (and a Sigh of Relief)

After all the parquet was down, I let the adhesive dry overnight. The next day, I applied a sealant to protect the wood. Because I am a little clumsy, and will spill something. It’s inevitable. The sealant gives it a nice, finished look and should make it easier to clean. (Fingers crossed!) And it’s a good defense against myself.

Finally, I moved all the furniture back in. It was a lot of work, and my body is definitely feeling it, but it was totally worth it. The room looks amazing! The “keel dancing” parquet adds so much character, and it feels so much better than that old carpet. Would I do it again? Maybe… after a long break. And maybe with some knee pads next time.