Forum
« LOCKS in stock? Window A/C Storage? »
September 9, 2009
Help Matching Parquet
I need some help finding parquet wood flooring to match the floor in the rest of my apartment. The flooring in my dining room was removed for construction (contractor claimed he couldn't save it). The individual wood slats measure 1.5" x 18" and are made of either white or red oak. I would need approximately 250 sq/ft of flooring. The building is from the 1920's so the wood is from that era. My budget is roughly $5/square foot. Taking into account these limitations, does anyone know of any possible sources or have tips where I can obtain, new or used, either the same flooring or something that is a close approximation? I'm not looking for an installer, only for the flooring materials. I do not own the apartment, however my landlord had to do construction and now he's getting ready to replace the floor. Unless I can find flooring, he is just going to use straight boards, no parquet. The dining room opens out via double french doors to a large foyer and through double french doors into a large living room a grand sweep of space all with the same parquet flooring. I want to keep the same general feel to the floor. My landlord is willing to install the parquet if I can locate some for a reasonable price, within a week or two.
Ideas?
Thanks a bunch!
Comments
Our contractor cut a small bit of original flooring (my fault) and used new wood stained to the same color. It looks very very similar.
Posted by: MR at September 9, 2009 3:37 PM
Call the Olde Good Things warehouse in Scranton
Posted by: brownstoner at September 9, 2009 3:42 PM
This is a fairly uniqutious herringbone parquet with a decorative border. The slats are tongue and groove and are white oak. They are not hard to find but in order to end up with a good result, professional floor contractors will need to fit the pieces in and sand and stain the entire floor. The flooring guys know exactly where to get the wood slats, why would they need your help? Sounds like your landlord is just not interested in saving the old floor and is giving you busy work.
Posted by: Minard Lafever at September 9, 2009 3:46 PM
Pretty crazy considering that you are a renter willing to put over $1K into your landlord's property.
Posted by: MR at September 9, 2009 3:51 PM
I've lived here 25 years...and will likely live here another 25. It's my home. I'm trying to maintain the beauty of my home. I love all woodworking and floors in particular.
The landlord is the one paying for the floor. He has his own floor installation guys and as I said, he's just going to use straight plain wood, no parquet. I expressed my disappointment and he then offered that if I can locate the parquet flooring for about $5/sq. ft. (which is twice what he's paying for the plain straight wood flooring), he'll buy it and tell the installers to install it with an effort to match as closely as possible the original floor. I'm asking here to try and locate a source for the flooring.
The owner wants to get the floors down next week, so I'm in a rush to find a source within the budget.
Thanks for the references and please keep them coming. Much appreciated!
Posted by: Oxygen at September 9, 2009 4:08 PM
Try Meyer-Grimes in the Bronx. I think you may need quarter sawn but take a sample to them.
Posted by: Arkady at September 9, 2009 4:12 PM
No offense intended. Don't mean to question you as much as your landlord. I myself have put money into a rental. I just think your landlord could cut a 25 year tenant some slack.
Posted by: MR at September 9, 2009 4:14 PM
Sorry - M-G went under. Try:
F W Honerkamp Co Inc.
Posted by: Arkady at September 9, 2009 4:22 PM
Arkady, I called Honerkamp and unfortunately they do not deal in flooring. Any other ideas?
Posted by: Oxygen at September 9, 2009 4:35 PM
The guy who did mine bought sheet goods at Honerkamp & then ripped it himself. It wasn't tongue & groove, just slats nailed into underflooring. Matches perfectly. My only other idea is what Brownstoner suggested above unless you can scout dumpsters doing demo.
Posted by: Arkady at September 9, 2009 4:51 PM
Try searching "parquet" in the Forum. There's a good chance that some of the recommended floor refinishers would also be a source for reclaimed parquet. Another possibility for sources—some of the companies named in this article: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/05/garden/05fix.html
I'd also check whether the contractor who removed the old floor still has it in his possession. It's possible he just didn't want to be bothered (or didn't have the skills) to re-lay it.
Posted by: vinca at September 9, 2009 4:52 PM
How thick is it? I have similar flooring that is 1/4" thick. If that is the case any cabinet shop could easily mill the pieces for you. Even if it is T&G the bits to cut it are less than $150. It will cost more than $5 ft though. I think raw oak is $3 to $4 a foot.
Posted by: edifice rex at September 9, 2009 4:58 PM
I haven't checked, but I'm fairly certain the floors are thicker than 1/4", probably 3/4". I begged the contractor to save the wood, but he gave me a lame excuse and said it had nails in it so was impossible to save (of coarse it had nails in it). He just didn't want to deal with it. About 1/3rd of the floor is still in place, it was never removed.
Posted by: Oxygen at September 9, 2009 5:49 PM
I have a brownstone in Park Slope and because of accidents, etc., have to replace pieces of parquet in the building. Right now, I am dealing with replacing flooring -- 120 years old -- which buckled because a tenant's a/c was dripping on it for 2 years.
Condon Lumber in White Plains, 914 946 4111, will custom cut whatever you need. I suggest you take a sample piece of whatever wood you are missing. Also, of course, measure the pieces you will need. The have replaced walnut feature strips, quarter-sawn oak parquet pieces, etc. You will need to sand and stain the pieces after they are installed. Not at all difficult and quite a match to the original. I highly recommend them. Also, they have a website. condonlumber dot net. Good luck.
Posted by: aktony at September 9, 2009 6:39 PM
Can you check to see if it is not 5/16" thick. A lot of these floors were made from face nailed 5/16" strips. I have a few bundles of it here - white oak - left over and can rip it down. I can get more if need be. I am not sure if I can do it within your timeframe though as I am busy.
I can help you even if what I have is not to size; I have small shop with a thickness planer and other machines.
Now that I think of it, I bought some narrow stuff from Hall Flooring in New Hyde Park about 10 years ago; you may wish to call them. You can also try Eastside on 124 st in the city.
Steve
www.thetinkersyard.com
Posted by: thetinkerswagon at September 9, 2009 9:52 PM
Steve, thanks for the ideas.
These are most definitely not face nailed.
I'm almost 100% positive this is 3/4" thick and I'll confirm that with the contractor tomorrow.
Posted by: Oxygen at September 9, 2009 10:21 PM
Steve, thanks for the ideas.
These are most definitely not face nailed.
I'm almost 100% positive this is 3/4" thick and I'll confirm that with the contractor tomorrow.
Posted by: Oxygen at September 9, 2009 10:21 PM
What's the length of one complete strip of oak?
Posted by: jack slade at September 10, 2009 12:25 AM
.....in each parquet
Posted by: jack slade at September 10, 2009 12:31 AM
Each parquet strip is 18" long.
6 individual strips make up one rectangular 'block' measuring 9" x18"
Posted by: Oxygen at September 10, 2009 2:06 AM
It seems like installing parquet flooring would be more difficult than installing regular tongue and groove hardwood. Are you confident his installer can do it correctly (i.e. are they floor guys or just handymen/laborers) even if you provide the strips? If I were in your shoes, I would have a full service company like Verrazano (not specifically recommending them) come in and give you a quote for cost to replace the wood and install (bundled). Depending on what he's paying his installers, ($x/day + $5 sq ft in wood) you could offer to pay the difference and have it done professionally by a one-stop-shop. Personally I would at least have a free estimate done for educational reasons and to pick the brains of the hardwood company a little bit. They will be much more familiar with this type of job than you, and could probably explain potential problems that come up, etc.
Posted by: setancre at September 10, 2009 11:15 AM
thanks I've never seen them that long and have never seen this pattern before. I'd remove a piece like the others have said and visit the closet lumber yard.
Posted by: jack slade at September 10, 2009 12:18 PM
Also try Moon River Chattel in Williamsburg. They sell salvaged old growth wood that's been replaned. Most of it is $11 per cubic yard (or something like that).
Posted by: mopar at September 10, 2009 1:05 PM
I'm still trying to find a source. Finding the wood already milled to 1.5 (W)x 18"(L) x 3/4"(H) is not happening.
I may need to find a source to custom mill the wood. Each strip have a tongue and groove joint cut on each of its four sides.
I did find one source that sells 1.5"(w) x 3/4"(T) flooring [regular long lengths] with tongue & groove joints cut on the two sides. I'd have to find someone to mill the wood: cut it into 18" lengths and also to mill matching tongue & groove joints on the two ends, likely with a shaper.
Anymore ideas, please keep them flowing.
Thanks again...
Posted by: Oxygen at September 11, 2009 12:06 AM
Post a comment
Please be patient while your comment is published. It may take a moment.