How to pick the best parquet flooring

Do you have a passion for parquet? If so, you’re not alone. Parquet flooring is fast becoming one of the most popular interiors options. The patterns are instantly recognisable, and for years this type of flooring has been synonymous with wealth, elegance and taste. This flooring is available in a huge variety of colours and designs. Some parquet tiles can even be used to create a statement feature wall. Classic parquet flooring is made from natural solid hardwoods, such as oak and walnut. But nowadays, man-made alternatives such as LVT (Luxury Vinyl Tiles), porcelain and engineered oak flooring are also growing in popularity.

Inspired by the parquet patterns of the Palace of Versailles, our Woodpecker Sandringham Royal Oak design panels (£161.26 per 0.56m²) are handcrafted to order. They even carry an impressive 100-year guarantee

What is parquet?

The word ‘parquet’ (which is pronounced ‘parkay’) is derived from old French, and literally means a small compartment or enclosure.

Parquet flooring – sometimes known as mosaic flooring – refers to a type of wood flooring that’s created by laying tiles in a series of geometric patterns. It has illustrious connotations. Parquet flooring first came to prominence in the 17^th century, most notably in the royal Palace of Versailles. Here, it replaced the palace’s more high-maintenance marble floors. From there it became popular with the European aristocracy, before eventually finding favour in the UK and the US.

Incorporating all the vibrancy of antique wood, our Woodpecker Brecon Vintage Oak Herringbone wood-effect flooring (£68.69 per 1.44m² pack) features rich, red tones and a rustic personality

Why parquet is so popular

First and foremost, parquet flooring looks spectacular. This type of flooring adds instant interest and impact to any room. The wide range of colours, finishes and patterns available means it’s endlessly versatile. Depending on the designs chosen, parquet looks just as good in period properties as it does in contemporary interior settings.

Our Woodpecker Flooring Brecon Blanche Oak Herringbone parquet flooring (£68.69 per 1.44m² pack) is a stylish wood-effect floor. It works wonderfully well within contemporary settings

In addition to its coveted aesthetics, parquet flooring also adds warmth to a space, and feels fabulous underfoot. For added cosiness, many of the parquet panels we offer are suitable for use with underfloor heating. Parquet flooring is strong and hard-wearing, so it’s a great choice for high-traffic areas such as hallways and reception rooms. With the right care and maintenance, parquet is exceptionally durable and represents excellent value for money. Importantly, parquet flooring is an environmentally friendly flooring option, as wood is a renewable, sustainable choice of material for flooring.

Our Woodpecker Brecon Seashell Oak Herringbone parquet (£68.69 per 1.44m² pack) is a stylish yet practical wood-effect flooring option. This is waterproof and comes with a built-in underlay

The different types of parquet

We offer hundreds of different types of parquet flooring, in terms of material, size and colour. Probably the best-known parquet pattern is the single or double herringbone. The square or diagonal herringbone design is also a popular choice.

But parquet flooring really does offer endless options. So whether you’re a fan of dark, dramatic designs or subtle shape and shade palettes, we’re sure to have something that suits. In addition to herringbone, chevron, the different basket weave variations and, of course, the classic Versailles pattern, featuring squares, rectangles and triangles are also growing in demand.

Showcased here in a classic herringbone pattern, our Woodpecker Goodrich Spiced Oak parquet flooring (£131.81 per 1.296m² pack) oozes rustic appeal. You can also benefit from a 100-year warranty

The best parquet patterns

The best parquet pattern is a very personal choice. But where you’re planning to lay your tiles or panels should also influence your final selection. For example, a narrow hallway will only have space for a certain number of block. So, oversized designs won’t work so well. Complex parquet patterns tend to work best in bigger spaces.

Perfect for modern interiors, the pale parquet palette of our Woodpecker Goodrich Ecru Oak flooring (£127.13 per 1.296m² pack) features unbrushed softwood engineered boards finished with a subtle matt lacquer

You can use contrasting tiles or patterns to create a decorative border, which is a visual trick which helps to camouflage uneven walls. Or ‘zone’ a large or open-plan space into different areas. The way in which parquet is laid can even alter a room’s perspective; it can deliver the illusion of length or width. Chevron designs can make smaller rooms look larger.

How to care for your parquet flooring

Once you install it, parquet flooring requires the same level of maintenance as any other hardwood floor. Use a soft brush, or a specialist vacuum cleaner, to keep the surface dust-free. Light mopping only is recommended – and always remove excess water to avoid warping. A regular monthly deep clean, using a hardwood cleaning product, will also keep your parquet tiles looking their best for longer.

Our porcelain wood-effect Parquet Khaki tiles (£76.46 per sq m) are a super-stylish, hard-wearing alternative to genuine wooden parquet flooring. They are also available in Buff, Brown and Grey

Parquet flooring alternatives

Classic parquet is made from hardwoods such as oak and maple, but modern parquet flooring is also available in alternative materials. Luxury Vinyl Planks (LVP) parquet is water-resistant, so it’s a popular choice for bathrooms and any other rooms where heat and/or humidity is a factor. It’s also more resistant to scratches than hardwood floors.

Our Floorify Toro F318 Herringbone flooring (£123.64 per sq m) incorporates an authentic wood surface structure and a floating/click system installation method

Porcelain parquet flooring is another excellent option for high-traffic areas, thanks to its durability, versatility and easy maintenance. Engineered oak parquet flooring offers all the beauty of natural wood – including its warmth – but is a more cost-effective and hardwearing option.

Love parquet flooring, but keen to learn more about pattern possibilities? Click here to discover the different ways to use hexagonal tiles in your interiors.