parquet floors

Embrace this timeless flooring style in your home

Wood parquet is flooring made up of wooden blocks arranged in a geometric pattern, from squares and triangles to herringbone and chevron. However, faux parquet made from ceramic or vinyl can be every bit as impressive.

The real thing

Parquet used to be made from solid wood, but now there are engineered designs too. Engineered parquet floors are made from layers of processed wood with hardwood on top, whereas solid-wood designs are made from solid pieces of timber, which offer greater durability. Choose from harder woods such as oak, maple or walnut, while softwood parquet is made from materials like solid pine.

Choose your finish

For an industrial-style look, raw or distressed parquet will work well. For a more traditional feel, a polished design that has a shine to it will fit the bill.

For the best results

Laying parquet is best left to professionals, however, there are pre-assembled options that ‘click’ together, which are easier to fit.

Keep its good looks

The best way to clean it is by vacuuming and using a damp mop. If you do need to give it a deeper clean, use a specialist wood floor detergent. It’s also recommended you revarnish every 10 years, to keep your parquet pristine.

Worth the cost

Expect to pay around £20sq m for a prefinished engineered product, and around £40 to £50sq m for the materials, and a similar amount for labour (per sq m).

Fall for fake

Another option is to go for a laminate floor with a parquet effect. Laminate is a multi-layer synthetic flooring, which is fused together with a lamination process. The top two layers are made up of a photographic appliqué layer, topped with a clear protective layer. The benefits are that it’s more durable and resistant to dents and scratches and it’s also easier to install. Alternatively, there are lots of ceramic tiles available that look just like the real thing despite the fact they are porcelain. Go with this option and you’ll have a flooring with a good durable finish – plus, many designs are suitable for outdoor use, too, so you can take your look from indoors onto a patio.

‘Occasional damp mopping and regular vacuuming will keep wood parquet good as new’ Josh Ashby, CMO, UK Flooring Direct