Joe Avila of Huggins Wood Floors in Westfield, New Jersey, recently completed an intricate 4,700-square-foot parquet floor installation for a client. This project serves as a testament to the importance of thorough documentation and meticulous care in any flooring job.
“A contractor called me and told me he had a very intricate parquet floor for an extremely high-end client and needed help,” says Avila. “The pattern was mostly designed by the architect, and we had to determine how it was going to be laid out in the room.”
The home itself was a testament to luxury and history, featuring wallpaper from the 1600s, ancient doors used by Alexander the Great, and fireplaces from the Ming Dynasty. The flooring was selected to match this level of sophistication and historical significance.
The pattern included African wengé, rift and quartered white oak, black walnut, and maple, creating an earthy color palette that perfectly suited the client’s vision. Czar Floors cut the intricate design and provided Avila’s team with a 3D rendering to ensure the pattern fit the rooms perfectly.
“Czar Floors assisted by laying out the rooms in a 3D rendering using pictures of each room,” explains Avila. “We then went onsite and measured the actual room so we could tweak if needed. It’s nice to be able to go back and forth to discuss if we think the pattern might be too big or too small.”
With the final size selected, the parquet was delivered by Czar Floors to the home in blocks, face-taped together. However, due to the home’s historical nature, subfloor preparation was crucial before installation could begin.
“The slabs were not perfectly flat, as the home was built in the early 1900s. Due to the home’s age, we needed to remove the existing subfloor,” says Avila. “We shaved down and shimmed some of the beams, and installed a new Advantech subfloor system throughout the home.”
With the subfloor addressed, Avila’s next step was to do a dry layout of the parquet pattern for the architect. While the floor was supposed to be laid straight, after seeing it in place, Avila decided it looked much better in a diamond pattern at a 45-degree angle.
“With all of our clients, we will first lay it the way they envision it, but then we’ll go back and lay it the way we envision it, then have a discussion. In this case, it was very easy to see. It always pays to go the extra mile, whether that’s during layout or when it comes to project prep,” he explains.
For Avila, that preparation also included taking relative humidity readings, moisture testing each species, and documenting everything meticulously using data loggers.
“I’m an inspector and an installer, and I know all too well how things fail.
Failures are almost always a result of a lack of documentation,” he emphasizes. “We write everything down and videotape everything. I have a project manager on hand whose only job is to record and make sure everyone is testing everything they should. As an inspector, I can’t tell you how many times I will ask for moisture readings only to be told an installer didn’t get them. It’s a recipe for disaster.”
With the flooring finally laid down using Bona adhesive, Avila’s team finished with the Lägler Trio and edgers. The final steps included hand scraping, hand rubbing, a final Trio pass, and buffing with a multidisc buffer. The finish chosen was Tung Oil, giving the floor a living, vibrant look.
Avila’s advice to others undertaking similar projects is clear: document everything and take your time. “If you think something is going to take a week, tell your client it is going to take two weeks,” he advises. “Slow and steady wins the race.”
Billing is another critical aspect. “When writing out estimates for a job like this, I’d recommend you do it per room and write down every single thing you are doing,” he recommends. “You never want to pay for materials out of your pocket. Let the clients pay for the materials; otherwise, it can be a big issue.”
The project was a success, with the client ecstatic about the results. Avila concludes, “It’s one of the finest-looking floors we’ve ever done, and the homeowner’s happiness makes it all worth it. Success in projects like these comes from careful planning, thorough documentation, and working closely with experts to ensure every detail is perfect.”
