Is parquet a wise choice for the kitchen and bathroom?

Parquet is decorative, attractive and warm, but is it suitable for the kitchen and the bathroom?

Moisture, people moving around, sharp objects being dropped, splashes of water and grease: will all this not ruin it over time?

If you are also wondering whether parquet is the right choice for your kitchen and bathroom, read our advice.

Choose the right type of parquet

There are many types of parquet, each with different resistance and durability characteristics, which are therefore recommended for rooms used for different purposes.For rooms such as the kitchen or bathroom, which are often characterised by a high moisture level, two main kinds are usually recommended: teak and wenge. High-quality tropical teak is hard-wearing, stable, impermeable, strong and stylish, with a colour which varies from light yellow to bronze. This type of parquet is believed to be the most resistant to atmospheric agents, moisture, salt and knocks. This is why it is also recommended for outdoor flooring or for more “sensitive” rooms.Another type of wood which offers excellent resistance is wengé. Wengé parquetis darker than teak and offers excellent durability and resistance to aggressive environments, which is why it is suitable for use in the kitchen.

Protect the most critical areas with tiles

One trick you could use to optimise the resistance of parquet in the kitchen is to combine it with tiles, or more specifically with porcelain stoneware, in the most critical areas. Which part of the floor is most at risk of wear and tear? The area nearest the sink and the cooker for the kitchen and sanitary ware for the bathroom.Many architects, in fact, suggest combining the two materials so as to cover the surface near the cooker with tiles and the rest of the room with parquet. This fusion is not only functional; it can create a beautiful interplay of shapes and colours, which are combined in accordance with the overall style of the kitchen.

But how can two such different materials be juxtaposed successfully in the same room?

There are essentially two options. The first involvesaligning the parquet and tiles, one after the other, so that there is clear differentiation between the two areas. This solution can be implemented instantly, even if the kitchen has a cooking area and dining area separated by low-level walls, recesses or decorative elements. The second idea is to create flush patterns with tiles inset into the wood, which can make the passage from one material to the other much smoother and more pleasant.

You can create a join in both solutions using wooden plugs or the material of tile; decorative plugs, in colours and designs which allow a more gradual passage from parquet to tile and vice-versa.