Does it make sense to use parquet and wooden floors in damp rooms?

Water enters the wood, when water causes wood to swell. Parquet or plank elements are destroyed from a certain point in time. Nevertheless, wood is very suitable as a material in rooms such as bathrooms and kitchens which are exposed to water, such as fine steam. If the suitable wood is professionally processed with the right surface protection agent, it ensures a pleasant room climate and reliably protects against premature wear.

In damp rooms only use constructive wood protection and only suitable types of wood.

In addition to constructive wood protection, which ensures that wood surfaces come into contact with water as little as possible (parquet should be fully glued and well sealed), it is important that suitable woods are used. Oak or Robinia, maple, birch, thermowood, Douglas fir, alder, ash, cherry, walnut, pitch pine, elm and teak are more water-repellent than, for example, spruce or pine or beech (shows an enormous swelling and shrinkage behaviour when exposed to humidity or moisture).

Use ventilation, in order to prevent mould and the positive antibacterial effect of wood in damp room.

In general, damp rooms should be well ventilated so that the optimum room temperature and humidity (approx. 20 °C/rel. humidity up to 70%) are maintained and the risk of mould is eliminated. Temporary puddles, for example from bathing, are no problem on wooden floors if the wetness is wiped up and does not remain on the floor for long. Parquet should not be used only in case of prolonged moisture (shower floor etc.).

An antibacterial effect of wood is equally noticeable both on the surface and inside the wood, according to many scientific studies (e.g. https://di-amanti.com/antibakterielles-holz/). The hygienic properties of wood depend primarily on the type of wood itself, but also on the type and concentration of bacteria, wood moisture, ambient temperatures and relative humidity. Antibacterial properties have been clearly demonstrated for pine and oak wood, which favours its use in damp rooms.

The suitable surface protection for parquet and wooden floors in damp rooms

Water can get under the paint film through cracks on sealed surfaces.
This finally leads to the delamination of the sealing film. This problem does not occur with oiled surfaces. If the floor absorbs an unusual amount of moisture during wiping, then simply re-oil the surface.
Depending on individual design requirements, IRSA oils (IRSA Natura Hartöl (IRSA Natura Hard Oil) is highly fired up, IRSA HP-Oil High Proection has less fired up) or coloured oils such as IRSA Design Farböl (Design Color Oil) or IRSA 2C HP-Plus Oil (tested according to slip resistance class R 10) are suitable for this purpose.
This product is suitable for parquet and wooden floors, for bamboo, cork and OSB, and is also available in colourless, sand light, black, dark grey, light grey, white, wenge. The latter oil is an extremely quick-drying oil for all degrees of stress and without film formation (re-oilable). The hardener which was added also gives the surface a special chemical resistance, i.e. water repellency.

Cleaning and care of parquet in damp rooms

Oiled and sealed wooden floors or wooden furniture should always be wiped with a damp cloth. Clean and maintain oiled surfaces 2-3 a year or as required (if the surface looks mat or turns grey) with IRSA Pflegeöl (IRSA Care Oil). The regular refreshing with IRSA care oil prevents the wood from swelling due to water penetration (the universal wiper IRSA Blitzboy with IRSA wiping cloth, with pre-oiled oil cloth or pads for polishing is ideal).

The wood pores are refilled and form a water-beading and dirt-repellent surface. If minor scratches should occur, these can be removed by careful sanding with fine sandpaper and subequently pre-oiled with IRSA Pflegeöl (IRSA Care Oil).

Wipe cleaning with IRSA Seifenreiniger (IRSA Soap Cleaner) ensures regular hygienic cleaning with greasing effect. Our care and cleaning products which are adapted to the oils and waxes, offer permanent protection to prevent premature wear and tear. What convinces professionals and private users is its ease of use. This is not only ensured by the IRSA quality, but also by the clear care instructions and a large selection of coordinated accessories for the professional use of the products.