Imitation parquet flooring

[Yellowduck]

Hi

I am moving into my parents 1950’s bungalow which my dad built in 1953. Thoroughout the bungalow they have what appears to be parquet flooring that looks like varnished chipboard. I did not think chipboard was around in the 50’s, but it is not solid wood.

Mum had a flood a few years ago and some of the blocks expanded as chipboard does does. Since the 70’s the entire bungalow has been carpeted, but I did think of reinstating the floor in a couple of the rooms. I know it is not solid wood, but it is authentic and was put down when the bungalow was built.

Has anyone come across this type of ‘chipboard’ or woodbond composite parquet flooring before?

Thx

 

[Deleted member 174758]

Never come across chipboard parquet before, but chipboard was invented and patented in 1932 by German inventor Max Himmelheber, and first made in a factory in Bremen, Germany during WWII (1943/44). After WWII it was relatively expensive at first (more expensive than some softwoods) so it may well have been initially the preserve of the wealthy and made into flooring. Compressed wood fibre materials were certainly in use well before WWII (e.g. hardboard, Masonite, Sundaelaboard, etc) and I have come across lacquered Masonite floor tiles on a number of occasions over the years as well as one place where a room was panelled in Masonite (presumably because in the 1920s it was initially an expensive material?). Alternatively is it possible that the parquet blocks are some form of compressed cork which might look a little like chipboard? Treated with boiled linseed oil or varnish that could well look like chipboard and might well be very hard after 60-odd years on the floor