parquet floor from reclaimed oak

[jaco108]

Hi,
I've read some previous threads about parquet floor laying, so some of you will know what you're talking about. I have acquired some reclaimed oak, (some of it was decking and some is t&g planks). What I would like to do is resize it all, to parquet size, losing the t&g, and lay it onto an 18mm ply substrate fixed over joists. But, there isnt enough to do what i want. So, I'm wondering if there is any reason why I cant put the blocks through a bandsaw, sideways on and make 2 8mm blocks from each 18mm block (im knocking of 2mm for the blade thickness). Thereby doubling the amount of parquet. In my head it might work because engineered flooring is thin layers of wood glued to ply. But perhaps im overlooking some crucial, perhaps startlingly obvious detail.
Thanks for listening, be glad to hear what you think.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Can't see why not - a colossal amount of work, though. If there is any likelihood at all of having to buy any in, don't leave it till the end of the job to get it - you'll need to mix it in as you go because you won't get a colour match. Welcome, btw.

 

[Jake]

Parquet floors are thin, 3-6mm I think historically. Basically a veneer. There's an interesting site about such things, from memory I think it might be someone called Gunton. Anyway, the ex 1 inch stuff is woodblock flooring not parquet flooring. So yes, perfectly doable if you have the time and infinite patience, but you would need to research fixing methods as it can't be the usual woodblock ('parquet') flexi ms polymer etc glues.

 

[jaco108]

Thank you for the replies. I checked out the David Gunton site, which is very informative, and looking at the photo's, his work is astonishing! The worshipful company of carpenters awarded him a special prize for his work on Windsor Castle! Anyway, it seems its not uncommon at all to use thin blocks, at least traditionally, and perhaps even beneficial, in that they flex more easily than thicker blocks. Why would it be better not to use the flexi polymer glues Jake? I will research it, but if you have an insight into such things....
Thanks again.
Jamie

 

[Tierney]

My oak parquet on a 1920's house is 7mm thick. Leave plenty of time to acclimatise.

DT

 

[Halo Jones]

I made a basket weave floor from reclaimed flooring that I got from freecycle. It took a while to prep and acclimatise the wood then cut it up and lay it but after nearly 2 years it is still looking good. The thickness of the blocks I made came out at about 14 mm I think.

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[jaco108]

wow! Nice work.