Parquet & floor coverings at a glance
A high-quality floor shapes the character of a room more than almost any other building element. Parquet stands for naturalness, durability, and timeless elegance. Whether in an old building, a new building, or a renovation project, a professionally laid parquet floor not only increases living comfort but also the long-term value of a property.
Before you start, however, there are some key questions to ask: Which floor coverings are suitable? How much will it cost? And when is it worth working with a specialist floor layer? This guide provides you with a sound basis for making your decision—with a focus on parquet, but also in comparison with other common types of flooring.
Renovating floors in Switzerland – an overview of prices
The total cost of a new floor consists of the material, subfloor preparation, and installation work. Although many floor coverings can be purchased in stores, without professional installation, the quality often suffers—especially with parquet flooring.
The following recommended prices per square meter (including installation) give you a realistic estimate of the costs:
- Laminate (entry-level quality): $20–40
- PVC flooring: $20–50
- Vinyl flooring: $20–50
- Laminate (high quality): $20–50
- Oak parquet flooring: $50–80
- Linoleum: $30–50
- Carpet: $20–60
- Natural cork: $30–90
- Cherry wood parquet flooring: $40–85
These values serve as a guide. The shape of the room, the substrate, the region, and the desired finish can influence the final price.
How much does it cost to lay flooring in Switzerland?
Not every floor is designed for the same service life. Depending on the material, wear and tear, and care, durability and renovation intervals vary significantly:
- Carpet flooring: approx. 10–15 years
- Cork flooring: approximately 15 years
- Laminate: approximately 15–25 years
- PVC/vinyl: approx. 20 years
- Linoleum: approximately 20 years
- Parquet flooring: approx. 25–50 years
Straight parquet stands out for its durability. Sanding and surface treatment allow parquet flooring to be renewed several times—a clear advantage over many industrial floor coverings.
Lay parquet flooring yourself or hire a professional?
Precision is crucial, especially when it comes to parquet flooring. Wood reacts to moisture, temperature, and stress—mistakes made during installation often only become apparent after several months.
Typical risks associated with in-house services:
- uneven or poorly prepared substrate
- incorrect adhesives or insulation materials
- lack of expansion joints
- Stress in wood due to incorrect indoor climate
An experienced parquet layer ensures professional subfloor preparation, correct installation techniques, and optimal adaptation to underfloor heating or large areas. This not only increases the service life but also prevents costly consequential damage.
Overview of common floor coverings
Cork – natural and comfortable
Cork is a renewable raw material with excellent insulating and comfort properties. The flooring is elastic, warm underfoot, and effectively reduces impact noise. Cork is particularly suitable for living rooms and bedrooms and, depending on the product, is either installed as a floating floor or glued down over the entire surface.
Laminate – versatile and easy to maintain
Laminate consists of several wood fiber-based layers and, thanks to modern printing techniques, is visually very versatile. The flooring is robust, hygienic, and easy to clean. Due to its low installation height, laminate is often used in renovations. A special sealant is required for damp rooms.
Linoleum – durable and eco-friendly
Linoleum is mainly made from natural raw materials. It is antistatic, antibacterial, and very durable. In kitchens and bathrooms, linoleum is usually glued over the entire surface to prevent moisture from penetrating. It is also increasingly being used in living areas.
Parquet flooring – real wood with character
Parquet is a genuine wood floor with a unique character. Color variations, grain patterns, and minor irregularities are not defects, but rather expressions of naturalness. There are three basic types of parquet:
Solidparquet
Consists of solid wood throughout. It is screwed, nailed, or laid as a floating floor. Solid parquet reacts strongly to humidity, but can be sanded down and renewed several times.
Multi-layer or pre-finishedparquet
Multi-layer construction with a stable base layer. This makes it more dimensionally stable than solid wood. Pre-finished parquet is often already surface-treated and can usually be laid using a click system.
Veneerparquet
A thin layer of real wood on a backing material. This option is more cost-effective and, thanks to its low installation height, ideal for renovations, but it can only be sanded down to a limited extent.
PVC and vinyl flooring – functional and durable
PVC and vinyl floors are elastic, water-resistant, and very easy to maintain. They are particularly suitable for kitchens, bathrooms, and high-traffic areas. Modern products are low-emission, durable, and fully recyclable.
Carpet – soft and sound-absorbing
Carpets create a warm, pleasant atmosphere in a room and improve acoustics. There are tufted and woven varieties with different surface structures. Carpets are particularly popular in bedrooms and living rooms, but are less suitable for wet areas.
Comparison of installation methods
Looseinstallation
The flooring is simply fixed in place, usually with adhesive tape. This method is simple, but less stable.
Floatinginstallation
The elements lie loosely on the subfloor and are connected to each other. This option is quick to implement, but not ideal for underfloor heating.
Full-surfacebonding
The flooring is permanently bonded to the subfloor. This method offers maximum stability, is durable, and is the preferred solution for parquet and heated floors.
Cost examples for typical flooring work
material costs
- Natural cork per square meter From $30 to $70
- Affordable laminate flooring per square meter from $20 to $40
- High-quality laminate per square meter From $20 to $50
- Linoleum per m² from $30 to $50
- Parquet flooring: Oak per m² from $50 to $80
- Parquet flooring: Cherry wood per m² from $40 to $85
- PVC per m² from $20 to $50
- Carpet per m² from $20 to $60
- Vinyl per m² from $20 to $50
labor costs
- Hourly rate for floor layers from $80 to $110
- Preparation per m² from $10 to $25
- Flooring installation per square meter from $35 to $55
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