parquet laying order

[bosch67]

When laying parquet flooring is it best to lay all the middle blocks first and then do all the cutting once the floor is set.

Also i have to go around a fireplace hearth should the blocks be mitred or can they be butted up to each other (which is the norm )

cheers paul

 

[TexMex]

When laying parquet flooring is it best to lay all the middle blocks first and then do all the cutting once the floor is set.

That's normal, but you may elect to put a border around first (say in basket weave), and then fill in the panel (say in herring bone) and leave the cuts upto the border 'til last.

Also i have to go around a fireplace hearth should the blocks be mitred or can they be butted up to each other

It's your floor, be creative, whatever floats your boat. Mitres work. If you want them, have them

 

[WoodYouLike]

When laying parquet flooring is it best to lay all the middle blocks first and then do all the cutting once the floor is set.

That's normal, but you may elect to put a border around first (say in basket weave), and then fill in the panel (say in herring bone) and leave the cuts upto the border 'til last.

Let me tell you a little trick of the trade
A border with a herringbone pattern isn't 'really' for esthetic reasons but to make it easier for the (professional) fitter.
Start you herringbone pattern in the middle (if we are talking about such a pattern here?) and lay the pattern as far as you can to the walls with whole blocks. Let the adhesive bond properly. Then........

using a circular plunge saw you cut of the excess herringbone pattern to install your border.
Now you are only left with a few tiny bits you have to cut to seize to fill some little gaps between the pattern and the border.

You'll have a hell of a time (labour intensive and a lot of extra saw-waste) if you do it the 'other' way around

 

[TexMex]

Let me tell you a little trick of the trade
A border with a herringbone pattern isn't 'really' for esthetic reasons but to make it easier for the (professional) fitter.
Start you herringbone pattern in the middle (if we are talking about such a pattern here?) and lay the pattern as far as you can to the walls with whole blocks. Let the adhesive bond properly. Then........

using a circular plunge saw you cut of the excess herringbone pattern

I once relayed a parquet floor in a church hall. I introduced the border to save having to nancy around with irregular skirting boards, radiator pipes etc.. at the edge of the main panel. Do you realise how much time this tip would have saved me Mind you, I don't think I even possessed a circular saw in those days. They were actually very expensive, and not very easy to weald.

 

[bosch67]

Thanks for the replies guys,

woodyoulike- thanks for sharing the tip i honestly would never have thought of that and sounds like it is going to save me one hell of alot of cutting.

cheers paul