Parquet Timber Flooring

What is parquet flooring?

Parquet flooring is a popular flooring option formed by fitting together individual pieces or blocks of wood to create intricate patterns. This distinctive style of wooden flooring is also known as parquetry in the flooring industry.

Parquet flooring is one of the most enduring and time-tested styles available, having been used in both public and private spaces since the days of the Roman Empire, including in villas and monumental buildings. The modern concept of parquet flooring developed in France, particularly during the reign of Louis XIV, and is famously showcased in the grand Palace of Versailles, which is home to some of the most well-known parquet wood floors in the world.

Are parquet floors and patterns coming back in style?

In truth, parquetry flooring never truly went out of style! Historically, the intricate installation of parquetry was a mark of affluence, particularly among European elites in France and Italy, helping it remain a design icon through the twentieth century.

Today, parquetry flooring has reclaimed its place in modern interiors with a vast array of patterns, offering both style and substance. Some of the most popular options include:

• Chevron: Prefinished floorboards and blocks where the short ends are cut at an angle, which adds an intense and vibrant talking point to your space.
• Herringbone: Perhaps the most popular style of parquetry, favoured by the Romans for the simple rectangular shaped block, and versatility of application.
• Versailles: Also known as ‘French pattern’. A mix of various sized timber blocks laid in a classic geometric pattern. Now commonly supplied in pre-assembled square foot ‘tiles’, making installation much faster and less costly.

Can you paint parquet floors?

Yes, you can transform a damaged or aging parquet wood floor with paint, although the difficulty may vary depending on the shade of the wood and the color of the paint you choose. Lighter colors like white, beige, or pale grey may be challenging to apply over darker timber shades.

Today’s timber flooring products boast exceptional quality and durability, reducing the need for extensive maintenance like sanding and recoating, which was often required for solid timber floors in the past. If modern parquet flooring becomes accidentally damaged, it can usually be repaired effectively through spot-fixing with oil or lacquer, depending on the product. Alternatively, you may resolve the issue by simply replacing the affected timber plank, maintaining the integrity of your floor.

Why use a parquet timber floor in your design? 

From a design perspective, there’s a range of benefits to incorporating a parquet timber floor into your design plan:

• Aesthetics: Timber parquetry offers any space a classic and subtle beauty, or a modern talking point. Parquet floors are highly popular for their aesthetic value.
• Durability: Prefinished parquet flooring blocks or boards are treated with an industrial grade finish, which means it will last longer than floors made with other materials.
• Easy resurfacing: Spaces change over time. If you have the time and tools, timber parquetry is simple to sand or resurface.
• Stability: Because an engineered parquet floor is made from three layers of wood, fitted together at 90 degree angles, movement between the boards is reduced compared to other timber floors. This means that an engineered parquetry timber floor is less susceptible to cupping, bowing and warping that a traditional solid timber floor.
• Cost-effective: Particularly relevant for larger commercial projects, or open residential floor plans, prefinished parquetry is a cost-effective flooring solution. It can also make for a fantastic feature wall when used as cladding too!

Why choose a parquet floor from Havwoods?

At Havwoods we pride ourselves on providing the best quality wood floors for our clients and customers:

• We source the best European oak: Our parquetry flooring products are manufactured using high quality wood from the most reputable European timber mills.
• Delivery Australia-wide: We’ll deliver your engineered timber floor to any safe and accessible site in Australia, Monday-Friday, between 8:00am and 5:00pm.
• Sustainability matters: We source our timber parquetry from environmentally responsible mills because they are the most intensively managed in the world. By choosing timber, you are choosing the environment.
• See our parquet floors before committing: From a design perspective you may be unsure if a parquet floor will suit your concept or vision. This is why we allow you to order free samples of all our timber parquetry products. 

We are now offering virtual showroom appointments

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Havwoods is now offering virtual showroom appointments. From the comfort of your own home, you’ll receive a personalised consultation and tour online. Contact us now to book your appointment!

Alternatively, our three showrooms in Sydney, Newcastle and Melbourne remain open strictly by appointment only.

There are some important changes and considerations in place to ensure the safety of you and our staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In booking a showroom appointment, you agree to the following in accordance with public health guidelines:

• A maximum of 1 guest per appointment with one Havwoods consultant
• No physical contact with staff
• All guests are to use provided hand sanitiser at the start of the appointment
• Bathrooms are available for hand washing
• If you are unwell, please do not book an appointment.
• A strict time limit of 30 minutes will be followed for appointments

We appreciate your understanding during these times and look forward to meeting with you for your complimentary 30 minute consultation with our experts.