Teak Parquet Flooring —

What To Do When It Ages?

Eco Full Flooring & Renovations

Teak parquet flooring was widely popular in Hong Kong homes during the 1980s. Over time, it can darken, develop surface dents, and show widening gaps between boards.

Depending on the extent of wear, there are three solutions available for your home: A — Localised Repair, B — Full-Floor Sanding & Refinishing, C — New Floor Installation Over Existing

Eco Full Flooring & Renovations | Call us or WhatsApp: +852 6767 1097 | Email: [email protected]

First, Assess: Is Your Teak Parquet Floor Worth Keeping?

✅ Worth Preserving

  • Planks are firmly secured
  • Sufficient thickness (can sand down 1–2mm without breaking through)
  • You love the natural teak grain

❌ Not Recommended to Keep

  • Multiple loose or buckled planks
  • Severe surface depression or warping
  • Previous water damage or mould
  • Wood layer too thin for sanding

Eco Full Flooring & Renovations | Call us or WhatsApp: +852 6767 1097 | Email: [email protected]

Option A: Partial Repair & Quick Refresh

Ideal for floors with visible gaps but still structurally sound overall

Goal: Minimise disruption while achieving an even colour tone, tighter gaps, and a cleaner surface finish.

✅ Advantages

Preserves the original teak character. Works can be completed in 1–3 days and carried out room by room.

⚠️ Limitations

Deeper dents may not be fully levelled, and colour adjustment is limited to lighter or darker tones only.

Eco Full Flooring & Renovations | Call us or WhatsApp: +852 6767 1097 | Email: [email protected]

Option A: Step-by-Step Process (Part 1)

01

Cleaning & Inspection: Vacuum all gaps and joints thoroughly, then tap each tile lightly to identify any loose or hollow sections.

02

Securing Loose Tiles: Inject wood adhesive into the gaps of any loose parquet tiles, press firmly, and weigh down overnight to ensure a solid bond.

03

Gap Filling: Hairline gaps (<1mm) are concealed with floor wax; medium gaps (1–3mm) are filled with wood filler; large gaps (>3mm) are repaired with flexible sealant or timber infill strips.

Eco Full Flooring & Renovations | Call us or WhatsApp: +852 6767 1097 | Email: [email protected]

Solution A: Installation Steps (Part 2)

01

Light Sanding: Begin with a random orbital sander using 60–80 grit, then progress to 100–120 grit. Sand along the parquet pattern direction to minimise cross-grain scratches.

02

Apply Protective Finish:

Quick-Dry Option: Water-based polyurethane (recoat in 2–4 hours; light foot traffic after 24–48 hours).

Traditional Finish: Hard wax oil (fast application, low odour, requires periodic maintenance).

Eco Full Flooring & Renovations | Call us or WhatsApp: +852 6767 1097 | Email: [email protected]

Option B: Full-Home Sanding & Refinishing

Best results — with more disruption during the process

Ideal for floors with widespread darkening, deep dents, and heavy scratching — provided the timber layer is still sufficiently thick.

Coarse sand (40–60 grit) → Medium sand (80 grit) → Fine sand (100–120 grit) → Grain filler → Primer + 2–3 coats of topcoat

Timeline

Typically 3–5 days. The area must be vacated during work due to significant dust and fumes.

Important Note

Teak has a high natural oil content. A compatible primer must be applied before the topcoat, otherwise delamination may occur.

Eco Full Flooring & Renovations | Call us or WhatsApp: +852 6767 1097 | Email: [email protected]

Option C: Overlay with New Click-Lock Flooring

Fastest & Cleanest — Ideal for Occupied Homes

Install directly over existing teak parquet — no removal, no nailing required.

Click-Lock Bamboo / Engineered Wood Flooring

Lay foam underlay (sound-dampening buffer) first, then click panels together — no nails, no adhesive.

PVC / LVP / SPC Waterproof & Fibre-Core Flooring

Floating installation method — moisture-resistant, highly durable, and slim profile (minimal impact on door clearance).

Important Considerations

Floor height increases by approx. 7–15mm; room and main entrance doors may require trimming. Existing teak parquet will be covered.

Eco Full Flooring & Renovations | Call us or WhatsApp: +852 6767 1097 | Email: [email protected]

How to Minimise Disruption While Living In?

Zone-by-Zone Works

Start with low-traffic rooms (e.g. guest room or study), then progressively move to the living and dining areas.

Fast-Drying Products

For oil-based repairs, use quick-dry formulas that allow recoating within 2–4 hours, keeping downtime to a minimum.

Protective Walkways

Temporary protective sheeting or plywood boards are laid during works to create safe walkways and prevent damage to freshly finished surfaces.

Eco Full Flooring & Renovations | Call us or WhatsApp: +852 6767 1097 | Email: [email protected]

Cost vs. Results: Choosing the Right Approach

Option A: Spot Repair + Light Sand & Oil

Speed: Fast (1–3 days) | Dust/Odour: Moderate | Appearance: Good–Excellent | Preserve Teak: ✅

Best for: Gaps, localised dents, or when you want to retain the original flooring

Option B: Full-Floor Sand & Refinish

Speed: Medium (3–5 days) | Dust/Odour: High | Appearance: Excellent | Preserve Teak: ✅

Best for: Whole-floor wear, sufficient wood thickness, and an authentic restored finish

Option C: Overlay Click-Lock Flooring

Speed: Fastest (1–2 days) | Dust/Odour: Low | Appearance: Excellent (Brand New) | Preserve Teak: ❌

Best for: Quickest turnaround, minimal disruption, comfortable covering the original floor

Not sure which option is right for you?

Share your floor area, current condition, and priorities — we'll recommend the best solution.

Eco Full Flooring & Renovations | Call us or WhatsApp: +852 6767 1097 | Email: [email protected]