Parquet Flooring

[ireneadler101]

Along with the wrecked Victorian tiles in the rear of our hallway (see recent post), there is also this parquet flooring in the front of the hallway.

I suspect that underneath it is tiles, but wondered if anyone could help me work out the age of the parquet? It would be lovely if it was original...but I suspect not. The house was built in the 1870s, and was originally a large villa.

 

[plasticpigeon]

That is strange isn't it. I'd have expected the geometric tiles all the way through. What is the join between the two sections like? Are they at the same level? Having said that, parquet is really nice too, so it sounds like you are uncovering some treasures.

 

[ireneadler101]

Yes that was what I was expecting too. I don't have a clear picture of the join but you can see from this picture where the tiles finish - the parquet is under the carpet:



The house was converted into flats in the 1930s, so I was wondering whether this might be a later addition. Some blocks are missing further up the hallway so next time I'm at the house (we don't have the keys yet) I'll see what's underneath them...

I don't know how common parquet would have been in a Victorian house?

 

[MatthewC]

I can't identify the type of wood from that photo - do you think it's pine or some hard wood?

If you do lift it then it is quite saleable on-line if there's a decent quantity - I sold some a couple of years ago which was 1930 pine.

 

[livias]

In a previous Victorian house, we had tiles like yours at the entrance and then around the stairs it was 8" pine boards. Perhaps yours was like that and the parquet was laid on top of the floorboards later on because it looks more 1930s to me. Mind you if it is in halfway good condition, I would call it an interesting feature and keep it.

I have similar in my dining room here but sadly only around the edge of the room, there was a rug in the middle but I am sure I will dream up a reuse for them

 

[ireneadler101]

Carpets are now up and I think the wood is oak, but I can't be sure...it needs some TLC that's for sure.

Is it common for the parquet to be laid on floorboards, and for the wood to be quite thin? I believe it is original as the floor detailing suggests that originally it continued into what is now the next door house (which makes sense as the house was originally one and only got split in the 1930s).