Replacing A Piece Of A Parquet Floor

Technical Procedures Disclaimer

Prior to inclusion in GSA’s library of procedures, documents are reviewed by one or more qualified preservation specialists for general consistency with the Secretary of Interior Standards for rehabilitating historic buildings as understood at the time the procedure is added to the library. All specifications require project-specific editing and professional judgement regarding the applicability of a procedure to a particular building, project or location. References to products and suppliers are to serve as a general guideline and do not constitute a federal endorsement or determination that a product or method is the best or most current alternative, remains available, or is compliant with current environmental regulations and safety standards. The library of procedures is intended to serve as a resource, not a substitute, for specification development by a qualified preservation professional.

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We’ve reviewed these procedures for general consistency with federal standards for rehabilitating historic buildings and provide them only as a reference. Specifications should only be applied under the guidance of a qualified preservation professional who can assess the applicability of a procedure to a particular building, project or location. References to products and suppliers serve as general guidelines and do not constitute a federal endorsement nor a determination that a product or method is the best alternative or compliant with current environmental regulations and safety standards.

PART 1---GENERAL

1.01 SUMMARY

  1. This procedure includes guidance on repairing a parquet floor by installing a replacement piece where one is deteriorated or missing.
  2. A parquet floor consists of small wood pieces arranged in decorative patterns.
  3. See "General Project Guidelines" for general project guidelines to be reviewed along with this procedure. These guidelines cover the following sections:
    1. Safety Precautions
    2. Historic Structures Precautions
    3. Submittals
    4. Quality Assurance
    5. Delivery, Storage and Handling
    6. Project/Site Conditions
    7. Sequencing and Scheduling
    8. General Protection (Surface and Surrounding)
      These guidelines should be reviewed prior to performing this procedure and should be followed, when applicable, along with recommendations from the Regional Historic Preservation Officer (RHPO).

1.02 DELIVERY, STORAGE, AND HANDLING

  1. Storage and Protection:
    1. Every effort must be made to use and reuse materials that are original to the structure. When removed from their rightful place, these materials must be stored under cover inside the building where they cannot be damaged.
    2. If many pieces are to be removed, mark pieces inconspicuously in a consistent manner as to their original location. Document original position and label accordingly.
    3. If salvage material is to be used, treat it as new or original material with regard to its storage.
    4. If new material must be used, keep it dry during delivery, storage and handling. Do not allow it to be stored in contact with damp surfaces.

PART 2---PRODUCTS

2.01 MANUFACTURERS

  1. Anderson Hardwood Floors
  2. Armstrong Flooring , Inc
    Lancaster, PA
  3. Dimension Hardwoods
    Edon, OH
  4. Quality Wood Ltd.
    Flanders, NJ

2.02 MATERIALS

  1. Replacement wood piece to make the original (see wood flooring suppliers in Section 2.01 above); match size, type, thickness and species.
  2. Wood glue: Available from hardware store.
  3. Parquet nails
  4. Wood putty to fill holes: Available from hardware store; Tint to match existing wood.

2.03 EQUIPMENT

  1. Tape Measure
  2. Table saw or miter box
  3. Mallet and chisel
  4. Plane
  5. Sandpaper
  6. Hammer

PART 3---EXECUTION
3.01 PREPARATION

  1. Surface Preparation:
    1. Adjacent surfaces and permanent equipment must be masked or covered during repair and maintenance. Coverings must be adhered without adhesive tape or nails. Impervious sheeting that produces condensation shall not be used.
    2. To find replacements for missing parquet pieces, try salvaging from inconspicuous parts similar parquet flooring in other parts of the building such as closets or under radiators. Replacement in the inconspicuous places can be done with other stock. Replacement pieces can also be obtained from a flooring supplier that sells parquet pieces or from a lumberyard that sells hardwoods.

2.02 ERECTION, INSTALLATION, APPLICATION

  1. To measure replacement pieces, use an existing piece of the same type for a pattern. To cut the pieces, set up a jig on a table saw or use a miter box.
  2. Installing the new piece:
    1. Clean and square up the surrounding area with a sharp chisel. If the original underlay remains, leave it for better glue adhesion.
    2. Make a trial fit with the new piece and trim as required.
    3. With a very sharp tool, carefully plane and/or sand the replacement piece down to level with the surrounding area. The sharp tool enables one to use less pressure and have more control.
    4. Glue and nail the replacement piece in place. Use parquet nails and nail all but the smallest pieces. Fill the nail holes and finish to match existing.