Parquet floor?

[Anonymous]

Do you consider Parquet floor "hardwood floors"?

I have been looking at condo units in older buildings in my price range and they are often advertised as having hardwood floors but it turns out they are really parquet square floors. I just find them ugly and cheap and don't really think of them as "hardwood" but do other people? Does anyone think it's an attractive option?

[Anonymous]

No, they're pretty ugly.

[jindc]

We have them in our investment property and plan on putting new floors down before someone buys it. They are old school. They're hardwood, but not my style, especially since every other aspect of our condo is renovated. Some people like "original" details, this is what I'd consider an original detail. But an unattractive one for my tastes!
You can buy my condo - I'll put new floors in for ya!

[Anonymous]

jindc wrote:We have them in our investment property and plan on putting new floors down before someone buys it. They are old school. They're hardwood, but not my style, especially since every other aspect of our condo is renovated. Some people like "original" details, this is what I'd consider an original detail. But an unattractive one for my tastes!
You can buy my condo - I'll put new floors in for ya!

I don't like parquet but would prefer those over cheap new engineered hardwoods or laminate

[jindc]

I think we're going with something that - possibly bamboo.

And some of the parquet tiles have been damaged and they are difficult to replace.

[Anonymous]

OP - just curious as to your price range and where you are looking.

[Anonymous]

Technically, they are hardwood but it's not what people think of when they hear "hardwood." I am pretty much the only person I know who likes them. They are associated with post-WWII garden style apartments and similarly less-desirable properties.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No, they're pretty ugly.

Ditto. Can't stand them.

[Anonymous]

They are hardwood...done well they are classic and timeless. Unfortunately I haven't seem a true inlaid parquet floor outside of designer magazines...the tiles are cheap and often in poor condition.

To answer your question, it's not false advertising, they are "hardwood."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Technically, they are hardwood but it's not what people think of when they hear "hardwood." I am pretty much the only person I know who likes them. They are associated with post-WWII garden style apartments and similarly less-desirable properties.

I've seen them in pre-war luxury apartments in Manhattan, but I don't like them.

[Anonymous]

The wood they used to make parquet floors might have been "hard" wood, but I don't consider them hardwood floors.
They remind me of my first rental apartment.

[Anonymous]

They are in many Watergate units--high end, but only for those who are into 70s design.

[Anonymous]

OP here - thanks I am glad I am not the only one. Realtors have taken offense when I have said that I didn't count parquet floors as "hardwood floors" and I found them personally unattractive.

For the PP who asked I am looking at condos in Arlington and Alexandria.

[Anonymous]

Those cheap parquets can look really cool painted or stained an espresso color. It's a cost-effective way to freshen the look until you have the money to install the floors you want.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here - thanks I am glad I am not the only one. Realtors have taken offense when I have said that I didn't count parquet floors as "hardwood floors" and I found them personally unattractive.

For the PP who asked I am looking at condos in Arlington and Alexandria.

I would kind of think you are nuts too. It's certainly your right not to like them, but it's not misleading to describe them as hardwood floors.