Okay, here’s my blog post about laying wooden flooring, written in a casual, personal style:

So, I decided to tackle the wooden flooring in my living room. The old carpet had seen better days, honestly, it was more stain than carpet at this point. I’ve always loved the look of parquet, that classic, geometric pattern. Figured it would be a fun project. Famous last words, right?

Prepping the Floor

First things first, ripped up that nasty old carpet. Underneath, I found… well, more nasty. Years of dust, grime, and who-knows-what-else. This is where the real work started.

I spent a good day just cleaning. Vacuuming, scrubbing, the whole nine yards. Then, because the old floorboards were uneven in places, I got some self-leveling compound. Poured that stuff on, spread it around with a trowel, and waited for it to dry. It’s kinda like watching paint dry, but even less exciting.

The Cushions and the Dancing

Once the leveling compound was set, it was time for the underlay. I chose these cushioned foam sheets, they were the kind that feels kinda soft and, well, cushiony. I unrolled it and cut to fill the whole room, that was pretty easy.

Now for the fun part… or so I thought. The parquet blocks! I got these lovely oak ones. They came pre-finished, which saved me a ton of time.

I Laid down the first few rows, getting the hang of the pattern, knocking them together with a rubber mallet and a tapping block. This is where the “dancing” comes in. You’re basically shuffling around on your knees, fitting these little pieces of wood together like a giant, sweaty jigsaw puzzle.

Assembling and My Back Pain

I started in one corner, working my way outwards. It was slow going at first. Making sure everything was lined up, getting the angles right… there were a few moments where I questioned my life choices, especially when a block just wouldn’t click into place.

• Tip #1: Use plenty of those little spacer things along the walls. Wood expands and contracts, and you need to leave room for that.
• Tip #2: Don’t be afraid to use the mallet, but don’t go crazy. You want a snug fit, not shattered wood.
• Tip #3: Knee pads. Seriously. Your knees will thank you. I wish I’d invested in some good ones before I started.

As I got further along, it got a bit easier. I found a rhythm. Tap, tap, click. Tap, tap, click. Still, my back started to ache, my knees were killing me, and I’m pretty sure I developed a permanent squint from staring at tiny wood patterns. I was so tired, and just took a break.

The moment I put down the very last block was a victory, I was done! And I will admit, after a good cleaning it looks pretty great. It’s got that warm, classic feel I was going for, and it’s definitely an upgrade from the old carpet.

Would I do it again? Maybe. But I’d probably invest in some really good knee pads first. And maybe a massage therapist on standby.