What is a tapis floor?
A tapis floor (Dutch tapisvloer) is a solid wood parquet floor that is fixed to the subfloor instead of being laid as a floating floor. A solid wood layer about 6 to 9 mm thick is glued and nailed onto a chipboard subfloor (around 12 mm). The floor is then sanded and finished with oil or lacquer.
Advantages
- Virtually seamless: the thin strips fit tightly together.
- Any pattern possible: straight strips, herringbone, chevron or block patterns.
- Quieter footfall: a bonded floor sounds fuller than a floating floor, which can “drum” with every step.
- Tight to the wall: less risk of large gaps along the skirting.
Disadvantages
- Installation requires skill and takes more days than a click system.
- The floor cannot be taken with you when you move.
- A thin wear layer can be sanded fewer times than thick solid parquet.
Practical tips
- Base: the screed must be flat, dry and sound. Have the moisture content measured before laying; overly damp screeds are a well-known cause of cupping and lifting parquet.
- Apartments: check the building’s rules on impact sound. A sound-insulating layer under the chipboard is often required.
- Underfloor heating: choose a species and thickness that the supplier approves for underfloor heating, and limit the flow temperature.
- Acclimatise: let the wood rest in the room for a few days at normal temperature and humidity.
Related terms
- Parquet floor
- Screed
- Poured screed
- Sound insulation
- Decking board
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