Hopefully someone out there has some experience with this, because I have found little information on the removal of Parquet from a plywood subfloor, and have a feeling it might be quite labor-intensive. Can anyone speak to either subject of laying hardwood directly on existing parquet OR the removal of the parquet from plywood subfloor?

Thanks,
Jeff

Hi Jeff,
If the parquet is well bonded and not loose at all and is over a wood subfloor and not concrete, you can install a nail down floor right over it. If you want to install a glued down floor, remove existing finish first by sanding. Keep in mind, this is not optimal but possible as you would be relying on the bond between the parquet and subfloor. If you remove the parquet, you will damage some of the subfloor and need to fill, sand, and repair it. Sometimes removal is the only option. I have done jobs where the customer wanted 3/4" solid everywhere but had parquet glued down to the wood subfloor in an entry. Instead of sheeting the rest of the house with plywood to bring it up to the level of the entry parquet, it was less expensive to remove the parquet entry and repair that subflooring.

Gary,

Thanks for the info, I think you just made my day. I really was not looking forward to possibly having to demo the parquet floor as it IS glued and glued good. NO loose pieces or anything like that. My plan is to install the Hardwoods in the entry hallway (where the parquet is) and in an adjoining room that is 12X20 square. I'll just put down some 1/4 inch plywood in that room and run w/ the hardwoods from there...right over top of the Parquet!

Thanks again,
Jeff