A Beginner’s Guide to Understanding Parquet Flooring Patterns

Few things can match parquet flooring patterns when it comes to quintessential charm in interior decor. They have a rich history, from adorning the Palace of Versailles’ massive halls in 16th-century France to becoming synonymous with French luxury.

Over the years, parquet floor designs have evolved, but they continue to be popular amongst urban homeowners. Their hallmarks lie in the ornate arrangements of wooden blocks in beautiful geometric shapes, transforming simple flooring into striking masterpieces.

In this guide, we’ll provide a detailed breakdown of parquetry flooring: what it means, why you should choose it, the popular patterns, and their installation methods. Plus, we’ve included some key maintenance tips and common mistakes to avoid, so you can ensure smooth upkeep of your parquetry flooring for years to come.

What Is Parquet Flooring?

Originating from the late 1600s, parquet is a mosaic hardwood flooring option, made from small pieces of wood arranged in geometric patterns and secured with strong adhesive. While traditional hardwood floors have straight, parallel rows of wooden panels, parquet flooring features intricate, repeating patterns that add character and elevate any space. Initially used for creating sophisticated interiors in palace walls, parquet flooring patterns are now used in residential and commercial spaces.

Why Choose Parquet Flooring?

Parquetry flooring is one of the most sought-after options for homeowners today, mainly due to the following benefits it offers:

• Natural beauty: The charm and natural beauty of parquet wooden patterns have a timeless appeal, adding extra flair to a room almost instantly.
• High durability: Parquet flooring patterns are made from solid wood, durable enough to withstand high foot traffic and last long.
• Versatility: Parquet flooring is usually available in various wood finishes and patterns, offering homeowners endless possibilities to create whatever aesthetic they desire.
• Hassle-free upkeep: Due to its durability, parquet flooring barely requires any maintenance effort. Regular sweeping and mopping should be enough, and you can also opt for occasional refinishing to bring back its original look.
• Higher property value: Parquetry flooring’s durability, style, and timeless charm often contribute to increased property values, which is a lucrative long-term benefit that homeowners look for.

Popular Parquet Flooring Patterns Explained

The desirability of parquet floors mainly comes from their visually striking patterns, each with a unique characteristic and appeal. Here are some of the most sought-after parquet flooring patterns that homeowners seek, for a classic look or an edgy twist:

Herringbone

Herringbone is one of the most popular and recognisable parquet flooring patterns, comprising rectangular wooden pieces interlocked in a zigzag formation. Each piece is placed at a 90-degree angle to the adjacent one, creating a distinct V-shaped design that resembles a fish’s skeletal structure, hence the term, ‘herringbone.’

Herringbone parquet flooring’s popularity comes from its ability to enhance space perception with its zigzag design, making a room appear larger and more dynamic. It’s primarily used in hallways, living rooms, and bedrooms.

Chevron

Chevron parquet flooring is very similar to herringbone, with the one significant difference being that the wooden pieces are cut at 45-degree angles, creating a V-shape at the intersections where they meet. Hence, a continuous V-shaped pattern is created, exuding a sense of seamless flow.

Chevron patterns look more modern and lively, giving a sharp look to contemporary spaces. Similar to herringbone, they add depth to a room and make it feel bigger than it is. This parquet flooring is typically seen in offices, living rooms, and minimalist interiors.

Basket Weave

Basketweave parquet flooring is characterised by alternating vertical and horizontal wooden blocks, which create the illusion of woven threads, hence the name. The patterns often range from simple to heavily intricate weaves, constructed by various block sizes and arrangements.

Basketweaves give spaces a decorative and traditional feel, often working well with classic interiors and adapting easily to different wood types. The interwoven styles of the wooden blocks also create rich textures that can bounce off light in interesting ways and create intriguing contrasts. You’ll usually see basketweave parquet flooring in entryways, kitchens, living rooms, and vintage-styled homes.

Brick Bond

As the name suggests, the brick bond parquet pattern resembles the design of brick walls. Rectangular wooden blocks of uniform size are set like brickwork, laid out in straight rows, overlapping one another by half their length.

The brick bond pattern sets a rustic vibe that blends beautifully with interiors and is perfect for modern or industrial spaces. More importantly, the pattern’s brickwork design best suits smaller or cluttered rooms, making them more airy and spread out. You’ll often find brick bond parquet flooring in entryways, kitchens, and living rooms.

Versailles

Versailles patterns are considered one of the most opulent parquet flooring patterns, mainly due to their ornate nature. Versailles flooring consists of a series of wooden squares interlocked in a grid-like formation, with additional designs inside the squares, often including intricate geometric shapes and straight borders. Named after the French Palace of Versailles, this pattern epitomises luxurious parquet flooring.

The Versailles pattern is sought after for its grandeur and elegance. Although displaying complex designs, Versailles flooring maintains a timeless status and is especially preferred for homes with a classic, minimalist, or historic character. This flooring pattern is usually seen in dining rooms, formal spaces, and elongated hallways.

Other Unique Patterns

Besides the ones we’ve already mentioned, there are a few more parquet flooring patterns that are unique in design and, hence, popular. These include:

• Chantilly: Chantilly parquet flooring is another classic pattern of French origin. This features a fully square border with uniformly cut rectangular wooden planks interlaced in a plus sign-shaped arrangement. 

• Windmill: The windmill parquet pattern is unique. It features a rotating arrangement of wooden blocks placed in squares, fanning out from a central point, giving the illusion of movement. Windmill parquetry is ideal for contemporary spaces where some energy is required. 
• Diagonal: Diagonal parquet flooring is another unique choice. It features wooden tiles arranged at a 45-degree angle to the surrounding walls. Diagonal parquetry is generally used for a modern aesthetic in smaller rooms, but with a less formal pattern than chevron or herringbone.

Installation Methods for Parquet Flooring

Similar to any hardwood flooring, parquet floor installation has three primary methods. They are:

Gluing-Down Method

This is the most popular installation method for parquet flooring patterns, where the wooden planks are directly glued to flat surfaces using industrial glue. Gluing-down installation is suitable mainly for concrete, primarily in homes needing a sturdy, long-lasting floor. Plus, this is also used for flooring installations in commercial spaces.

Nail-Down Method

In this method, solid parquet boards are fixed, or nailed down, to wooden strips on a subfloor or a plywood underlayment. This is a more traditional method that requires special nails and expert tools like a floor nailer, often requiring professional assistance. The nail-down method is suitable for older homes with thick hardwood floors, and it’s advisable not to use it on concrete subfloors.

Floating Method

This is a new installation method that’s quickly becoming popular among homeowners. The floating method involves assembling the parquet panels using a ‘click-lock’ system that doesn’t require special glue or nails for installation. Flooring professionals also call this the ‘lover and lover’ parquet flooring installation method. This method’s most significant advantage is ease of installation—ideal for renters or covering old floors without damaging them.

Maintenance Tips for Parquet Floors

Parquet floors aren’t very high maintenance, which accounts for their high durability. However, some maintenance is essential for preserving the beauty of these floors, and it includes:

• Regularly sweeping or vacuuming to remove debris
• Wiping up spills promptly to prevent water damage or stains
• Refinishing the parquet floors occasionally to restore their shine
• Installing furniture pads to protect the floor’s surface from dents

Common Mistakes to Avoid

There are a few common mistakes homeowners make with parquet floors that you must avoid. These include:

• Not leaving expansion gaps: When installing parquetry flooring, you must leave small gaps, typically 8-10mm wide, around the room’s edges or fixed obstructions. These let the flooring naturally expand and contract without causing damage.
• Installing right away: Environmental acclimatisation is essential for a smooth installation. At least 48-72 hours before floor installation, the parquet panels must be left in the room to acclimate to the surrounding humidity and temperature. This reduces the chances of expansion or contraction after they’re installed.
• Not getting professional help: Flooring isn’t a short-term activity; hence, making the right choices and ensuring smooth installation are critical. Seeking professional help will allow you to choose the right parquetry flooring for your interiors and get expert advice for proper installation.

Conclusion

Parquet flooring designs are excellent if you want to add a touch of warmth to a room or completely change its aesthetic. They perfectly combine sophistication with flair, adding personality to interior design. However, you must also choose the right parquet flooring for your space, and that’s where Excellent Timbers can help. We offer high-quality, customised parquetry flooring that exudes beauty and craftsmanship, and the right professional guidance to help you install it hassle-free.