Everything you need to know about parquet flooring

What is parquet flooring?

The parquet style was born in the 16^th century when King Louis XIV of France ordered the install of small sections of wood laid in elaborate designs in the Palace of Versailles. Parquet flooring steadily rose in popularity, and throughout the ages, has been imaginatively laid in many attractive patterns such as basket-weave and chevron. Today, the herringbone pattern remains the number one design choice, with rectangular pieces of wood installed at an angle, to create a visually striking aesthetic.

If you haven’t been lucky enough to rip up your carpet to discover a parquet floor waiting to be lovingly restored, Russwood offer a range of Solid and Engineered Oak Parquet which can be customised to suit your project. Russwood’s Grande Parquet flooring is available in select colours from our European Oak range, which can be viewed by clicking ‘View Specification,’ under ‘Virtual Samples’.

What factors should you consider when choosing parquet flooring?

There are many factors to consider when choosing the perfect parquet flooring for your project to ensure it aligns with your design preferences and meets the needs of your space. Our Grande Parquet range is a contemporary twist on traditional parquet. The boards are wider and longer than traditional parquet blocks and are tongue and grooved on all four sides, making it easy to create an oversized parquet effect. These boards are available either pre-finished or unfinished, and are available in select colours. For a period property, or more traditional design, choose our darker Oak shades such as Amber, Malt, Cask and Smoked Ebony, available in a choice of grades, from sunken knots to virtually clear, and a rich, glossy finish, to evoke feelings of years gone by.

For an ultra-modern look, our pale European Oak fits the bill. The wire brushing on these boards creates texture, resulting in a naturally durable surface. Boards can be carefully selected so only small knots remain and white hardwax oils accentuate the grain to suit contemporary, Scandi inspired interiors. We recommend going for Chalk, Pearl, or Silk if this is your desired aesthetic. Our floor boards can be machined as Parquet to be laid as Herringbone style or as straight boards in lengths of up to 2.4m. 

The pattern you choose can significantly impact the overall look of the space. Whether it’s the timeless herringbone or a contemporary chevron design, understanding the visual impact of each pattern is crucial for achieving the desired ambience.

How do you install parquet flooring?

Laying parquet flooring correctly requires a great level of precision and attention to detail. It is essential to let the floor acclimate to the room’s temperature and humidity for the recommended period, we recommend hiring a trusted professional. If you are installing it yourself, make sure the floor is prepared, clean and dry before installation, and from here work row by row to install your floor. You can apply adhesive for glue-down installations or by clicking pieces together for floating installations. For the full process, you can visit our page on flooring installation here.

Which direction should you lay the boards?

When considering the direction to lay your parquet boards, the general guidance is to install the parquet in the direction of the longest wall in the room. This not only enhances the overall flow of the space but also creates a sense of continuity and seamlessness. However, if the room has unique features or a specific focal point, aligning the parquet flooring to highlight these elements is another option. Doors may also have an impact on your laying decision, planks that lay parallel to doors create a neater appearance than planks that are laid at a right angle to the door.  Ultimately, the goal is to create a visually balanced and harmonious look that complements the overall architecture of the room.

How do you care for and maintain parquet flooring?

Traditional parquet flooring can be brought back to life with the help of a floor restoration professional. Russwood recommend Osmo Oils to provide a beautifully hard wearing yet easy maintenance finish. Caring for your parquet flooring is easy, and allows you to preserve its beauty and longevity for years to come. Regular cleaning such as sweeping and vacuuming is key. Furthermore, limit exposure to moisture, and wipe up spills promptly as excessive water can damage the wood. Depending on wear, you can recoat the wood with the appropriate finish as needed.

Check out our blog ‘How to look after your Russwood floor‘ for more tips and advice.

For more information about Russwood’s Grande Parquet flooring, please get in touch with one of our Flooring Experts.