What is Parquet Flooring? A Buyer’s Guide
Simply put, parquet flooring is crafted from small, individual pieces of wood, arranged in a wide variety of eye-catching geometric patterns. From more simple and classic designs like chevron to more unique and intricate ones like Versailles.
Despite its centuries-old origin, parquet flooring remains a popular choice in modern homes. Its timeless elegance and versatility have kept homeowners captivated, making parquet floors a common feature in homes across the UK.
Jump to Section:
- Is Parquet Flooring Real Wood?
- Pros and Cons of Wooden Parquet Flooring
- Parquet Flooring Patterns: Herringbone, Chevron and More
- How Does Parquet Flooring Compare to Laminate, Vinyl and Hardwood?
- How to Clean and Maintain Parquet Flooring
- Parquet Flooring Installation: DIY vs Professional
- Parquet Flooring Cost: Is it Expensive?
- Popular Parquet Flooring Options
- Brief History of Parquet Flooring
- Is Parquet Flooring Right for You?
Is Parquet Flooring Real Wood?
Well, that depends!
Traditionally, parquet flooring is made from solid wood blocks. But, modern parquet floors can be created using a variety of materials such as engineered wood, laminate and vinyl.
Solid wood parquet is made entirely from real wood, which allows it to be sanded and refinished multiple times. This traditional material is incredibly durable, but it’s sensitive to moisture and temperature fluctuations.
Engineered wood parquet, which is one of our more popular floors, has a top layer of solid wood veneer but is crafted from multiple layers of high-density fibreboard (HDF) or plywood. This makes it more stable and resistant to humidity, but it can only be refinished a few times.
Alternatively, laminate and LVT (luxury vinyl tile) flooring can mimic the appearance of parquet patterns and natural materials. But, they lack the authenticity of solid wood.
Pros and Cons of Wooden Parquet Flooring
Benefits
- Aesthetic appeal
- Durability and longevity
- Versatility in design
- Increases property value
- Allergen-free
- Warm and comfortable underfoot
- Eco-friendly options
- Easy to clean and care for
- Can be used with underfloor heating (engineered wood only)
Disadvantages
- High initial cost
- Complex installation process
- Not immune to scratches and dents
- Vulnerable to moisture damage
- May fade over time
Parquet Flooring Patterns: Herringbone, Chevron and More
One of the most recognisable patterns is herringbone parquet. This is when regular wood planks are laid in a zig-zag pattern with each piece meeting at a 90-degree angle.
Chevron parquet is very similar to herringbone but the wood planks are instead cut at an angle to create a continuous V-shaped pattern.
As its name implies, basketweave parquet consists of rectangular blocks arranged to mimic a woven basket.
Mosaic, also known as brick parquet, is formed from small rectangular tiles that are laid in a brick-like pattern; often in alternating colours or grains.
Versailles parquet, however, is a more elaborate interwoven pattern that features a central square surrounded by smaller shapes like diamonds and triangles.
How These Patterns Influence Room Aesthetics
Parquet flooring patterns do more than just add decorative appeal. They can transform the perception of space, influence movement and enhance the overall ambience of a room.
Certain patterns can visually expand a room by drawing the eye in a particular direction. For instance, the layout of herringbone and chevron creates a sense of movement, making small rooms and narrow hallways feel more spacious.
The interlocking designs of basketweave and brick patterns can bring a sense of texture and warmth that softens minimalist or modern interiors.
Patterns like Versailles parquet can enhance or create a sense of luxury and elegance within the home, making them ideal for more formal and grand areas.
How Does Parquet Flooring Compare to Laminate, Vinyl and Hardwood?
Solid wood flooring features a classic plank style with natural grain patterns. It’s an incredibly durable material, capable of lasting a lifetime as long as it receives the proper care. Unfortunately, solid wood is prone to expanding when it gets too hot and contracting when it gets too cold.
Engineered wood flooring is more affordable than its real wood counterpart. Due to its construction, engineered wood is more resistant to humidity, making it less prone to warping. Aesthetically, it looks just like classic wood planks with various patterns.
While laminate flooring is a great budget-friendly alternative to natural materials, it often lacks authenticity. However, laminate is ideal for busy areas as it’s scratch-resistant and easy to clean.
LVT is another budget-friendly option that mimics the appearance of natural materials, but it also lacks real texture. Unlike parquet flooring, LVT is waterproof and scratch-resistant, requiring less maintenance.
How to Clean and Maintain Parquet Flooring
When it comes to looking after parquet flooring, it depends on the type of floor.
For solid and engineered wood, we recommend that you sweep or vacuum daily to keep dirt at bay. Once a week, going over the wood flooring with a damp mop will then keep your parquet nice and clean.
Laminate flooring and LVT don’t require as much maintenance. Sweeping or vacuuming and mopping these floors once a week will keep them looking their best.
Parquet Flooring Installation: DIY vs Professional
Like most types of flooring, parquet can be DIY installed. Unlike most floors, parquet is more complicated as it requires precise measurements, pattern alignment and subfloor preparation. This makes it prone to mistakes, which can lead to costly repairs. We recommend hiring a professional unless you’re a DIY pro!
Whether you choose to hire a fitter or go down the DIY route, it’s good to know your options for installation.
Floating floor installation is when the boards or tiles are joined to each other and not the subfloor. This is the way to go if you have a click-joining floor. However, if you’re using tongue & groove parquet, we don’t recommend using the floating floor method as it won’t be as sturdy.
Instead, we recommend the gluing method. Simply apply adhesive to the top of your subfloor and then lay the individual planks on top.
But How Do You Lay Parquet Flooring?
Before you lay your parquet flooring, there are a few things you need to do.
First, it’s always important to check over your packs to make sure you’re happy with the product. Keep in mind that each plank of wood is unique and may have some natural variation between them.
Next, you need to leave your flooring to acclimatise. This is important because it reduces the risk of swelling and contracting. You can leave the planks in their packaging and simply lay them on the floor or in stacks. Just make sure they stay horizontal and have an equal weight distributed across them.
Then it’s time to prepare your subfloor. You need to make sure that it’s clean, dry and level before you install anything. This is also the perfect time to check for any damage.
Most importantly, plan how you want your parquet flooring to look before you start. For instance, with herringbone or chevron, you’ll need to choose the direction of your pattern. Think about how you want the eye to be drawn.
Parquet Flooring Cost: Is It Expensive?
Well, it really comes down to what material you use.
Wood is bound to be more expensive when compared to laminate and vinyl, which are known for their budget-friendly prices.
Think of it this way: our Painswick Ghoul Engineered Oak Click costs £64.99m² due to its manufacturing process, but its durability and longevity make it a cost-effective choice in the long run. Whereas our Chevron Laminate Flooring is only £19.99m² because it’s made from synthetic materials, which makes manufacturing laminate more cost-efficient.
There’s also the matter of installation. If you DIY install your parquet, then you’ll be saving on labour costs. But, if you hire someone to install your flooring, then you’ll have those costs to think about too.
Popular Parquet Flooring Options
Environmentally-Friendly
Sustainability has become a very popular practice, but in interior design, it’s actively sought after. Homeowners are increasingly drawn to the unique character, history and eco-friendly appeal of reclaimed and ethically sourced wood.
Given that wood is a renewable resource, both solid and engineered wood are sustainable with the durability and longevity of the materials further supporting this.
Colours and finishes
While many love the traditional honey tones of wood, parquet offers plenty of colour variety.
Grey and whitewashed tones are loved in Scandinavian and minimalist interiors for their ability to create light and airy atmospheres.
Dark and smoked finishes complement modern and industrial-style homes. Rich, deep browns and charcoal parquet floors can add drama and sophistication.
Of course, natural and raw finishes are also very popular. Soft and lightly oiled wood tones enhance the organic beauty of the wood grain.
Engineered wood
With an increase in homeowners wanting durability as well as underfloor heating, engineered wood parquet has become a go-to choice. And for good reason! It offers enhanced stability, resistance to moisture fluctuations and more than enough customisation options.
A Brief History of Parquet Flooring
With a rich history dating back to 16th or 17th Century France, parquet flooring emerged as a replacement for marble floors in the Palace of Versailles. Until then, the marble floors needed frequent washing, which damaged the wooden subfloors.
From there, parquet flooring began to symbolise wealth. Spreading across the European aristocracy with skilled craftsmen hand-cutting every piece of wood.
Parquet remained popular with those who could afford the exclusive luxury until the Industrial Revolution introduced machine-cut parquet tiles. This advancement reduced costs, which made it accessible to more homeowners.
By the end of the 20th century, parquet flooring began to lose popularity as cheaper flooring materials took over; think carpet, laminate and vinyl. But, this loss of love didn’t last long as parquet has made a very strong comeback in the last 20 years. This is thanks to the rise of luxury interiors, sustainable wood sourcing and modern engineered parquet options.
Is Parquet Flooring Right for You?
If you’ve made it this far, then you’ve probably been convinced. But, is parquet flooring the best fit for your home?
Some rooms are better suited than others for parquet. As such, it’s important to consider the type of room, how busy the space is and what the moisture levels are like. It’s best to avoid installing parquet floors in rooms that are susceptible to moisture such as bathrooms and kitchens. Parquet flooring is perfect in spaces like the living room and bedroom though!
You should also consider the aesthetic and style of your interior. Classic and traditional homes are better suited for herringbone and Versailles parquet in darker wood tones. Whereas more contemporary and minimalist designs favour wide-plank, engineered parquet in light greys.
You also don’t want to forget about maintenance expectations. How much time can you dedicate to the upkeep of parquet flooring?
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