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…
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!
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
http://www.thetinkersyard.com
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Arkady, I called Honerkamp and unfortunately they do not deal in flooring. Any other ideas?
Sorry – M-G went under. Try:
F W Honerkamp Co Inc.
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.