What is Parquet Flooring?

Parquet flooring became a huge trend in the 1970’s. Decades later, it still remains one of the most popular types of flooring on the market.

With its striking, luxurious looks, parquet is a popular choice for businesses and homeowners alike. So, what is it and why should you consider adding it to your home? Find out everything you need to know about parquet flooring below.

A Brief Explanation of Parquet Floors

Parquet flooring is defined by its short planks and distinctive patterns. Traditionally, it was created from solid wood, making it an expensive option for homeowners. These days, however, parquet designs are featured in several types of flooring. Not only does this give you a lot more choice when choosing a parquet floor, but it also makes it affordable to a wide range of budgets.

The Different Types of Parquet Styles

You can choose from a huge range of parquet flooring. Not only are there different designs on offer, but there are also different flooring types to choose from too. Let’s start by looking at the different flooring types you can choose from.

Parquet Style LVT Flooring

LVT parquet flooring is the most affordable option. Featuring the practical benefits of vinyl and striking parquet looks, these floors are commonly used in family households. Many variations offer a waterproof design too, enabling you to enjoy a parquet effect in high-moisture environments like the bathroom.

We have an excellent range of LVT parquet floors. They include the popular Karndean parquet collection, and the striking Amtico parquet collection. These are just a couple of brands that have a beautiful range of parquet on offer.

Parquet Style SPC Flooring

If you fancy a step up from LVT, SPC flooring could be a great option. These types of floors are closely similar and have many of the same features. You can read more about SPC vs LVT here.. Short for Stone Plastic Composite, these floors have a unique rigid core. This gives them the same benefits as LVT flooring, alongside added strength comparable to engineered flooring.

We have a fantastic collection of SPC parquet floors available, including our very own Bentley SPC parquet floors. Choose from the Bentley Townhouse or Bentley Portofino range, both of which offer excellent durability and incredible looks. These floors are comparable in quality to Amtico and Karndean floors.

Parquet Style Laminate Flooring

If you are looking for an affordable alternative to solid and engineered wood floors, laminate parquet is a fantastic choice. These multi-layer floors come with a photographic layer to reproduce a solid wood effect. Manufacturing processes have improved dramatically over the years, with today’s laminates featuring a highly realistic finish.

Renowned for its durability and practicality, you will find a great variety of laminate parquet floors available. The Lifestyle Floors range has breathtaking designs available, such as the Camden Premium Herringbone Grey. You will also find great quality options from Quick-Step, such as this Impressive Patterns Chevron Oak design.

Parquet Style Engineered Wood

Engineered wood parquet floors are a great choice for those seeking a “true parquet” effect. These multi-layer floors are durable, and much more resistant against moisture and temperature changes than solid wood. The top layer is constructed from real wood, ensuring you still get the same beautiful look as hardwood floor.

You can choose from an outstanding range of engineered wood parquet floors at Stories Flooring. Our own range offers a great choice of parquet effects, including smoked, brushed, and natural oiled designs.

Parquet Style Solid Wood Flooring

Traditionally, parquet flooring was made from solid wood. If you want to stick to the original parquet design, installing a solid wood variation in the home is your best option. Solid wood floors can last for decades when cared for properly. They also provide stunning aesthetics that leave behind a luxurious effect.

Most solid wood parquet floors are created using oak. However, you can find them made from other, more exotic woods if preferred. The Atkinson & Kirby range is one of the best quality parquet hardwood floors available. Browse the full range of solid wood parquet floors here.

The above are the different types of parquet flooring you can invest in. Consider where you are installing the floor, and the conditions it will be exposed to, when choosing the right type for your home.

Different Parquet Designs

As well as choosing what type of parquet flooring you want to invest in, you also need to decide the type of design you prefer. There are different styles of parquet flooring available. The two main types you’ll choose from include:

Herringbone Style Explained

Herringbone patterns are one of the most popular parquet designs available. They get their name from the herring fishbone effect they create. The planks of the floor are staggered in a zig-zag pattern, and they aren’t cut at a right angle. Instead, they feature a rectangular shape. They produce a sophisticated and uniform finish.

Chevron Style Explained

Chevron style parquet is becoming a popular option for homeowners. Unlike the Herringbone effect floors, this style of parquet features boards that have a sharp point. This produces a distinctive V-shape when the floor is fitted. They are also cut at an angle, and like Herringbone effects, are available in a wide range of finishes.

These are just the main two parquet effects that you can choose from. Other options include basket-weave and mixing and matching different patterns for a bespoke finish.

Versailles Style Explained

Named after the Palace de Versailles, this style of parquet creates an intricate and luxurious look. They consist of square patterns, filled with interwoven strips of wood. You’ll find a vast range of designs to choose from, each of which producing a luxurious finish.

The Benefits of Parquet Style Floors

Parquet-style flooring boasts a lot of great benefits. They include:

• Beautiful, distinctive designs
• A unique flooring option
• Allergy-friendly
• Cost-effective options available

Parquet flooring has a beautiful, distinctive design. Whichever type of pattern you choose, you can guarantee it will add a beautiful, luxurious effect to the home. Even LVT parquet floors boast a highly realistic design.

Speaking of the design, parquet flooring provides a unique effect which is great for those looking to stray from traditional designs. You can also create stunning bespoke patterns by combining different effects together.

Whether you choose a parquet style LVT, engineered wood or solid wood floor, each option is allergy friendly. Unlike carpets, these floors won’t trap dust and other allergens. They are also easy to maintain to prevent allergens from building up. Maintenance requirements will obviously differ depending upon the type of floor you invest in.

Finally, parquet floors are available at a price to suit all budgets. At one time they used to be way out of budget for the average homeowner. These days however, thanks to different types of parquet floors on offer, you can easily find one that matches your budget and your preferences.

Installation and Maintenance

The installation and maintenance instructions you need to follow for your new parquet flooring will depend upon the type you have purchased.

LVT and SPC floors are typically the easiest to install. While there are Gluedown options, many of these floors feature a click system. The parquet effect planks will simply click together for a speedy fit. They are also easy to maintain as they feature a water resistant or fully waterproof design.

Engineered wood parquet floors are also straightforward to install. They typically come with a tongue and groove system, enabling you to install themself. However, you also have the option to secure the floor down either with specialist adhesive, or with nails. If you do plan on securing the floor down, we recommend bringing in the professionals. Maintaining engineered wood floors is also a breeze. Simply follow the manufacturer’s care instructions to keep the floor looking like new for many years to come.

Solid wood parquet floors are the most difficult to install. Due to the risk of potentially damaging the planks, it is better to have these floors fitted by professional floor fitters. Hardwood floors should always be secured down to the subfloor. Maintaining solid wood floors isn’t as difficult as you might think. However, you will need to take care to prevent scratches.

Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when installing and maintaining parquet flooring. If you don’t, you could damage the floor and potentially even void its warranty.

If you have any questions about choosing the right parquet floor for your home, give our friendly team a call today. You can also find our full collections of parquet below

Further Browsing

Browse our parquet flooring collection here

Browse our parquet engineered wood flooring range here

Browse our parquet solid wood fooring range here

Browse our parquet SPC flooring range here

Browse our Parquet LVT flooring range here

Browse our Parquet laminate flooring range here