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Decoration

Wooden floor: tips for preserving and maintaining

Discover essential maintenance practices to ensure shine, durability, and protection against wear and moisture in your parquet floor

By CASACOR Publisher

Submitted at Mar 21, 2025, 11:17 AM

10 min de leitura
Project Hugo Rapizo.

Project Hugo Rapizo. (Rafael Salim)

The parquet floor recaptures the classic and timeless charm that many seek to incorporate into their home. As a choice that combines aesthetics and functionality, this covering is known for bringing elegance to spaces, in addition to being durable and easy to maintain when well cared for. While simple, more than many other coverings, the parquet is quite delicate and demands more attention to specific maintenance practices that protect the natural beauty and durability of the woods used. Below, see 5 tips for taking care of your floor and essential care:

What is parquet flooring?


Antique furniture and modern furniture complement each other in a setting shaped by a restored hardwood floor and light walls, which amplify the generous brightness of the projects.

Projeto de Luis Canepa Arquitetos. (Guilherme Pucci/CASACOR)

The parquet is a wooden covering traditionally used in indoor floors. It is composed of wooden pieces (usually in rectangular or square shape) that are installed in an interleaved manner or forming patterns, such as the famous "mosaic", "herringbone" or "pine heart". Each parquet piece is fixed to the floor with glue or nails.

This type of floor is highly valued for its rustic and elegant aesthetic, in addition to providing a welcoming feel to the projects. The parquet can be made from various woods, such as pine, rubber tree, ipe, among others, and its durability is one of its main characteristics. When well cared for, parquet flooring can last many years and even be restored (sanded and refinished) to regain its original aspect.

However, it is important that the parquet flooring is well maintained to avoid problems such as squeaks, unevenness, and damage caused by moisture. Over time, it may require maintenance to preserve its beauty and functionality.

1. Perform periodic sanding


CASA COR Minas Gerais 2015. Room of the Cool Young: Eduardo Henrique Brandão and Rosângela Brandão Mesquita. The bed is placed against the mirrored block, which allows viewing the opposite wall and the covering inspired by Burle Marx's designs. The headboard is a creation of the duo. The original wooden floor was repurposed, and on it rests a purple rug, which combines with the fawn and gray the color palette of the projects.

(Divulgação/CASACOR)

Time can leave marks on the parquet through scratches or small imperfections that arise with daily use. To keep the surface always renewed, it is recommended to perform periodic sanding. This process involves leveling the wood to eliminate any superficial damage and prepare it for a new finishing layer. In addition to restoring the beauty of the floor, sanding prolongs its lifespan by preventing premature wear of the boards. Hiring a qualified professional for this task ensures that the service brings the best results, which will avoid irreparable damage to the wood.

2. Regular polishing


98 m² apartment gains contemporary décor, but with touches of brutalism. Project by Hugo Rapizo. In the photo, living room with parquet flooring, balcony with a hammock and frames.

(Rafael Salimc/CASACOR)

Keeping parquet flooring always shiny and attractive requires regular polishing. Using a damp cloth for polishing helps enhance the natural shine of the wood without harming its structure. In addition, there are specific products on the market that provide a more protected and glossy finish. However, it is necessary to choose appropriate wood products to avoid those containing aggressive chemicals or leaving residues that may stain or corrode the floor over time.

3. Proper cleaning


Studio A - Roberta Moura, Paula Faria, and Luciana Mambrini designed an informal projects, with everything integrated and a few good multi-use pieces. On the herringbone wood floor (Parquet Nobre) and surrounded by white walls, furniture and objects in strong colors stand out. The shelf takes center stage with its 4.50m width by 3m height, featuring a mirrored back and shelves in very thin iron sheets - the piece has a special design by designer Jader Almeida for Casa Cor Rio. The Dinn dining/work table, also by Jader Almeida, is accompanied by antique chairs by Arnaldo Danemberg. Note that the lighting is all exposed and includes 17 pendant lamps above the dining table, among other features.

Estúdio A - Roberta Moura, Paula Faria e Luciana Mambrini projetaram um ambiente informal, com tudo integrado e poucas e boas peças multiuso. Sobre o piso de taco espinha de peixe (Parquet Nobre) e rodeados pelas paredes brancas, móveis e objetos em cores fortes ganham destaque. A estante assume o protagonismo com seus 4,50m de largura por 3m de altura, com fundo de espelho e prateleiras em lâminas finíssimas em ferro - a peça tem desenho especial do designer Jader Almeida para a Casa Cor Rio. A mesa de jantar/trabalho Dinn, também de JaderAlmeida, é acompanhada de cadeiras antigas de Arnaldo Danemberg. Repare que a luz é toda aparente e reúne 17 lâmpadas pendentes acima da mesa de jantar, entre outros recursos. (André Nazareth/CASACOR)

Regular and careful cleaning is one of the essential practices in the maintenance of parquet flooring. It is important to use soft-bristled brooms or vacuum cleaners to avoid the accumulation of dirt that can scratch the surface.
During cleaning, avoid excessive water usage, as moisture can deteriorate the wood. After cleaning, remember to dry the entire area well.

4. Protect against moisture


Customer Service - Cici Peñaranda L. and Claudia Maraví G. The photographs of the facades from previous editions of CASA COR transform the projects into a place of memory and also draw the gaze towards the large central clock, which represents the passage of time. The wood on the counter and the floor of wooden tiles warm the projects, contrasting with the white of the walls and other details in the furniture.

(Divulgação/Divulgação)

One of the biggest villains for parquet flooring is moisture, which can cause irreversible damage such as swelling and deformations. To protect your floor from moisture, it is crucial to minimize water usage when cleaning and ensure that the space is well ventilated after any contact with liquids. In areas prone to humidity, such as kitchens and bathrooms, it is advisable to implement protection barriers in the form of rugs or special sealants on the wood to avoid damage.

5. Use rugs and protectors in high traffic areas


parquet floor

(Disclosure/CASACOR)

In areas of the house where traffic is higher, applying rugs can make the difference between a flawless floor and one full of marks. In addition to beautifying the projects, they act as a barrier against scratches and dirt, contributing to the preservation of the floor. Protectors under furniture are also essential to avoid permanent marks when moved. Choosing the right materials for these accessories and monitoring their condition will keep the floor always beautiful and functional. CASACOR Publisher is a content creator agent, developed by the CASACOR Technology team based on the knowledge base of casacor.com.br. This text was edited by Yeska Coelho. [april-see-also]W3siaWQiOjE5MDM2OSwidGl0bGUiOiJNJiN4RjM7dmVpcyBwbGFuZWphZG9zIHBhcmEgcXVhcnRvIGxldmFtIHNvbHUmI3hFNzsmI3hGNTtlcyBjcmlhdGl2YXMgcGFyYSBtYWlzIGNvbmZvcnRvIn0seyJpZCI6MTkwMTc1LCJ0aXRsZSI6IlBldHMgZW0gY2FzYTogNyBjdWlkYWRvcyBwYXJhIHVtYSBkZWNvcmEmI3hFNzsmI3hFMztvIG1haXMgc2VndXJhIn0seyJpZCI6MTg5OTQ0LCJ0aXRsZSI6IkNhbnRvIGRhIHNhbGEgdmF6aW86IDcgaWRlaWFzIHBhcmEgYXByb3ZlaXRhciBtZWxob3Igb3MgZXNwYSYjeEU3O29zIn1d