Wooden floors are more than just flooring—they represent naturalness, living comfort, and timeless design. Whether you want to buy a new wooden floor and have it professionally installed or have your current floor cleaned, oiled, or sealed, this guide provides you with our many years of expertise on the selection, care, and function of high-quality parquet flooring. Discover the advantages of a wooden floor for your home – from the quality and durability of the material to the added value it brings to your everyday life in terms of healthy living.

What should I consider when buying a wooden floor?

Buying a wood floor is a long-term decision that requires careful planning and sufficient information. Follow these 7 steps to find the perfect wood floor for your home:

1. Select the type of wood flooring

There are two types: solid wood or prefinished parquet. Solid wood parquet was commonly used in the past, but is rarely installed today. However, prefinished parquet is particularly recommended for modern living spaces. Why is prefinished parquet preferred today? Prefinished parquet consists of several layers of wood that are firmly glued together. The top layer, also known as the precious wood wear layer, is usually made of high-quality woods such as oak and is already oiled or varnished. This means that the wood floor can be used and lived on immediately after installation. The wear layer in high-quality prefinished parquet variants, such as those from Scheucher Parkett, is approximately 3.6 mm thick and can be sanded down several times if necessary to renew the floor. Although prefinished parquet has a thinner wear layer than traditional solid wood parquet, it is by no means less valuable. The multi-layer construction makes the wood floor more dimensionally stable and resistant – especially in changing temperatures and with underfloor heating. In addition, a modern wood floor can be laid as a floating floor or glued down.

Another advantage of multi-layer parquet is its sustainability due to the more economical use of precious wood. This gives you a high-quality, durable wood floor that has been produced sustainably.

2. Wood type and optics

The choice of wood type has a major influence on the appearance and durability of your wood floor. Popular woods include oak, ash, beech, maple, and walnut—each wood has its own unique characteristics, as well as nuances in color and grain.

Oak flooring: Oak is one of the most popular wood types for parquet flooring and has been valued for centuries. With its warm appearance, oak parquet flooring fits perfectly into any home. In addition, this type of wood is very durable and easy to maintain.

Ash wood flooring: Ash is very similar to oak. Its hardness and durability are almost identical. The annual rings of ash are clearly visible and enliven the surface structure and lively character of the wood.

Beech parquet: Beech parquet floorboards have almost no knots, giving them an elegant and uniform look. Thanks to this appearance, beech parquet can be combined with many colors, interior styles, and accessories.

Walnut parquet: Walnut flooring has a particularly elegant look due to its dark, earthy tone and is also very robust and dimensionally stable.

What other questions can help you decide on the right wood floor?

3. Space and intended use

Consider the room in which the wood flooring will be installed. For heavily trafficked living areas, wood types that are robust and durable are particularly suitable. The right surface treatment also plays an important role in ensuring that the floor meets the requirements of the room in question. Whether you opt for an oiled or lacquered surface, Scheucher's finishing ensures a durable and attractive look that adds warmth and style to your home. Find out more about our surface treatment options here.

4. Maintenance requirements and durability

Depending on how much time you want to invest in maintenance, you should choose the right wood floor. Lacquered parquet impresses with its durable and easy-care surface, which is easy to clean and protects against wear and tear. However, the sealant cannot be easily repaired if there are signs of heavy wear without treating the entire surface again. Oiled wood floors, on the other hand, require regular care and refreshing, but offer the advantage that small scratches or wear can be easily repaired locally. In addition, oiled floors retain their natural appearance and ensure a particularly pleasant indoor climate. You can find more on this topic in this blog post.

5. Installation and subfloor

Find out about the different installation methods: Scheucher wood flooring can be installed as a floating floor or glued down over the entire surface. The subfloor must also be suitable for wood flooring and level. Certain types of wood flooring are more suitable for underfloor heating. Wood flooring can be installed in various patterns—numerous formats offer complete design freedom.

6. Sustainability and origin

Certified wood floors can help promote sustainable forestry and environmental responsibility. Scheucher Parkett impresses with its extensive environmental certifications, which stand for sustainable production and the highest ecological standards. These include renowned environmental labels such as the EU Ecolabel, the LEED certificate, and the IBU seal. These awards guarantee that the parquet is manufactured with low emissions, conserves resources, and contributes to a healthy indoor climate—for sustainable and responsible living!

7. Plan your budget

Wooden floors are available in various price ranges. When planning your purchase, consider not only the purchase price but also the costs of installation and maintenance, and take into account the longevity of a wooden floor. You can find out how much it costs to install parquet flooring in your country from our exclusive specialist dealers.

Do I need to treat my wooden floor?

Many people wonder whether a wooden floor needs to be oiled or varnished after installation. At Scheucher Parkett, you get a ready-to-use oiled/waxed or varnished floor that has already been treated to a high standard at the factory. This means that your wooden floor is ready for use immediately after installation and does not need to be completely re-oiled or varnished.

Nevertheless, initial care after installation is highly recommended to maintain the long-term value of your Scheucher wood floor. It protects all edges from moisture penetration and significantly increases the floor's lifespan. For optimal care and the correct procedure, you should consult your parquet flooring specialist – they will be happy to assist you. The factory oiling or varnishing ensures that the natural beauty of the wood is preserved and that the floor is resistant to everyday wear and tear. While oiled floors should be maintained regularly, varnished floors usually only require simple cleaning and are easier to care for.

Thanks to the high-quality factory surface treatment of Scheucher parquet, there is no need for time-consuming initial treatment immediately after installation. However, we recommend carrying out initial care after about 8 days to ensure additional protection and value retention.

How does the initial care of wooden floors work?

1. Make sure that the parquet floor is clean and dry.

2. Shake the care wax oil well before use and apply it by hand or machine: lint-free cotton cloths, spray bottles, and single-disc machines with white pads are suitable for this purpose. Application quantity: 4–6 g/m². Work in sections of 3–5 m². A 750 ml can is sufficient for approx. 120–150 m². A thin application guarantees an attractive finish. Finally, polish the applied care wax oil with a lambskin pad until the wood is saturated and the surface appears even. Make sure that no streaks remain visible.

3. The drying time after completion of the work is at least 8–12 hours with good ventilation. Within the first 8–10 days after initial care, the floor should not be subjected to excessive wear and tear, and wet cleaning should not be carried out.

What about sealing a wooden floor?

For sealed / lacquered parquet floors, a durable sealant reliably protects the surface from moisture, dirt, and everyday wear and tear. This protective layer makes the wood floor particularly easy to care for and durable – ideal for heavily used living areas. The sealant ensures that liquids do not penetrate the wood and makes cleaning easy. It also preserves the high-quality appearance of the floor for many years and significantly reduces the amount of maintenance required. With intensive use, scratches or signs of wear may appear over time. Fortunately, sealed parquet floors from Scheucher can be sanded down and resealed several times. This means that the surface can be completely renewed if necessary. Your wood floor will then look like new again.

Sealed wood floors offer reliable protection against moisture, scratches, and everyday wear and tear. At Scheucher Parkett, many floors are already equipped with a high-quality, healthy UV sealant ex works. More information here

What else is important when caring for my wooden floor?

In addition to regular cleaning, proper care plays a key role in ensuring that your wood floor remains beautiful and durable in the long term. The surface treatment is particularly important here: oiled floors require different care than sealed parquet floors.

Care for oiled wood floors

Oiled wood floors should be treated regularly with special care oils or care waxes to protect the surface and preserve the natural look. Care nourishes the wood, smooths out small scratches, and keeps the floor breathable. It is important to apply the product evenly and sparingly so as not to leave unsightly residues.

Care for sealed wooden floors

Sealed wood floors are particularly easy to care for and generally do not require intensive follow-up treatment. However, to protect the surface permanently, it is advisable to use suitable cleaning and care products that do not attack the sealant. If necessary, the sealed surface can be professionally refreshed or renewed.

General tips for care and cleaning

• Place felt pads under furniture to prevent scratches.
• Avoid standing moisture and clean up spills immediately.
• Pay attention to the indoor climate and ventilate regularly to keep it optimal. More about indoor climate here.
• Dry clean if necessary
• Wipe with a damp cloth – never wet!
• Use suitable parquet cleaners (no all-purpose cleaners, harsh or abrasive cleaning agents).
• Do not use microfiber cloths with an abrasive effect.
• For heavily used areas, change cleaning utensils occasionally to avoid spreading dirt particles.
• Use office chairs with soft casters suitable for parquet flooring to avoid scratches and damage to the wood floor. Hard or unsuitable casters can permanently damage the surface.
• Avoid outdoor shoes and roller dirt.
• Adjust the maintenance interval for heavily used areas.

Careful maintenance ensures that your wooden floor not only looks great, but also lasts for many years – adding real value to your home.

Do I need to sand my wooden floor regularly?

Sanding wooden floors is an excellent option if the appearance of the floorboards is no longer satisfactory and small signs of wear are becoming visible. Regular sanding is not usually necessary, as modern parquet floors retain their beauty for many years without sanding. Nevertheless, it is important to remember that a wooden floor is durable, but also a living floor covering that shows minor signs of wear and tear over time due to use and stress. Whether and how often a wooden floor needs to be sanded depends primarily on the type of surface, the use, and personal preference.

When is sanding necessary?

It is generally advisable to sand a wooden floor if the surface is visibly worn, if there are numerous scratches or dull spots, or if the floor has lost its luster over the years.

Sanding wooden floors – hire a professional or do it yourself?

Sanding parquet flooring requires experience, the right tools, and careful technique to avoid damaging the wood floor or removing it unevenly. We therefore strongly recommend that you have the sanding done by a professional. A professional will ensure an even result, knows how to use dust protection, and can then oil or varnish the wood floor properly.

Doing your own sanding – when does it make sense?

Experienced DIY enthusiasts may be able to carry out minor repairs or touch-ups themselves using suitable sanding machines and appropriate instructions. However, it is important to bear in mind the risk of imperfections that could reduce the value and appearance of the wood floor.

Can I also install wood flooring in the bathroom?

It is possible to install wood flooring in the bathroom, but it requires special attention and careful planning. Since the bathroom is a damp room, wood flooring has special requirements in terms of materials and workmanship. For wood flooring in the bathroom, we recommend using specific types of wood and finishes that provide the best possible protection against moisture. This is the only way to ensure that your wood flooring remains durable and attractive in the bathroom.

What should you consider when installing wood flooring in the bathroom?

- Selection of robust and moisture-resistant parquet flooring
- Professional installation
- Regular maintenance to protect the wooden floor in the bathroom from moisture damage

­

A wooden floor in the bathroom creates a pleasant and natural feeling of space, but requires more care and expertise during installation than in other living areas. That is why we strongly recommend consulting with and hiring professionals for your parquet flooring in the bathroom.

You can find more details on the correct use of Scheucher parquet flooring in bathrooms in our blog post Parquet flooring in bathrooms – is it possible?

Conclusion: What are the advantages of a wooden floor?

A wooden floor radiates warmth, comfort, and a palpable sense of calm. It is also a stylish design element with numerous advantages. Thanks to its uniqueness, the wide range of colors and textures available, its long-lasting beauty, and ease of care, this natural and durable flooring adds a special charm to any room. Discover our natural and responsibly produced wooden floors from Austria – a harmonious combination of high quality, aesthetics, and functionality. Your wooden floor will become a trusted companion that will enhance your home for many years to come.