Parquet wood flooring

The luxury of parquet wood flooring

Parquet wood flooring takes a floor treatment to new levels of stylishness and luxury. Originated in the manors and castles of 16th century Europe, parquet floor designs were fashionable among aristocrats who could afford the extra expense of uniquely patterned and highly crafted wood floors.

A parquet floor is essentially any floor with a pattern, in contrast to the traditional wood floor with parallel wood planks. There are a number of standard parquet patterns – Herringbone, Chevron and Versailles are among the most common – but parquet wood flooring can also be created with unique custom patterns for a one-of-a-kind look.

At Carlisle Wide Plank Floors, we produce parquet floors with a variety of hardwood species as well as reclaimed wood, using standard parquet patterns or working with you to create your own design. Our parquet wood flooring can be preassembled in sections or in individual pieces, and it can even be prefinished for greater convenience during installation.

An overview of parquet wood flooring patterns

At Carlisle, we typically produce parquet floors in several different wood floor patterns.

A Chevron floor has a V-shaped pattern that’s made by using boards of the same length and cutting the ends at an angle to create a V-shape when installed.

Herringbone parquet flooring creates a zigzag pattern with each board abutting another at a right angle, creating an overlapping appearance.

The Versailles pattern is inspired by King Louis XIV’s famous palace and has a very intricate, woven look that uses planks cut at a variety of lengths.

We also frequently work with clients to create custom designs based on other patterns or on the homeowner’s vision for a unique and one-of-a-kind appearance.

FAQs: all the details about parquet wood flooring

What types of parquet patterns work best with engineered wood?

Engineered floorboards can be installed with virtually any kind of parquet pattern, including custom patterns designed to create a one-of-a-kind hardwood floor. Hardwood parquet flooring can be used in an entire room, for borders, or as focal points within a room. Several of the classic parquet patterns of wood flooring include Herringbone, Chevron and Versailles, and each can be used with engineered wood flooring.

  • Herringbone uses a zigzag pattern where each board meets another at a right angle, creating an exciting geometric pattern that adds movement and visual interest to a room.
  • Chevron parquet flooring also uses a zigzag pattern, but the ends of the boards are cut at an angle to form a V shape where each board meets. The angle of the V can be adjusted by changing the angle at which the ends are cut.
  • Versailles is an intricate pattern that creates a woven look. This pattern is named after the floors found in the Versailles Palace in France.

What are parquet floors?

Parquet floors are wood floors that are installed in a pattern rather than in the standard arrangement of most commercial wood flooring where the boards are laid out in parallel fashion. Typical parquet patterns include Chevron and Herringbone, where each plank abuts the next at an angle to create a zigzag pattern. A Versailles floor, another common parquet pattern, uses a collection of squares and rectangles that are intricately pieced together like a puzzle to form a pattern that has a woven texture.

What is the benefit of parquet wood flooring?

Parquet wood flooring is a hardwood floor that is installed with a pattern rather than in parallel strips. Parquet flooring originated in Europe in the 16th century, when wealthy owners of manors and castles wanted a more ornate and luxurious appearance for their wood floors. A parquet wood floor may be fashioned with a simple pattern such as a Herringbone, or with incredibly complicated patterns that require extreme precision in cutting and fitting pieces together, almost like a jigsaw puzzle.

What is parquet wood flooring?

Parquet wood flooring is a hardwood floor that is installed with a pattern rather than in parallel strips. Parquet flooring originated in Europe in the 16th century, when wealthy owners of manors and castles wanted a more ornate and luxurious appearance for their wood floors. A parquet wood floor may be fashioned with a simple pattern such as a Herringbone, or with incredibly complicated patterns that require extreme precision in cutting and fitting pieces together, almost like a jigsaw puzzle.

Is parquet more expensive than regular flooring?

Because of the time involved in cutting and fitting the smaller pieces of a parquet floor together, the cost for manufacturing and installation is typically higher than a standard wood floor.

Can parquet flooring be prefinished?

Parquet flooring can be prefinished in a manufacturer’s facility, meaning that the wood planks are sanded, stained and coated with sealants before they are delivered to a jobsite. The benefit of a prefinished floor is that it speeds installation and avoids the mess and smell of needing to sand and seal a floor on site.

Can parquet floors be made with engineered flooring?

Parquet patterns work beautifully with engineered floors and are ideal for installation over concrete slab, radiant heat or in high moisture areas below or above grade. At Carlisle, we offer two collections of engineered parquet flooring. Our Studio Herringbone Collection is fashioned from White Oak hardwood, while our Manhattan Herringbone Collection uses Rift & Quartersawn White Oak. Both collections feature floors in a variety of colors to help create a classic look for a contemporary or traditional space.

What type of wood do parquet floors use?

Oak parquet flooring is a very common choice, but parquet floors may be made of virtually any type of wood. Some floors are even made from more than one type of material, mixing wood and marble, for example, to create an even more compelling visual appearance. Early wood parquet flooring was often made with two or more different colors of wood to create a more intricate pattern and appearance.

Why choose parquet wood flooring from Carlisle?

For the past 50 years, Carlisle has been handcrafting the finest wood floors in the country – parquet wood flooring included. Today, we are the premier source for the highest quality parquet floors, providing our clients with access to a variety of wood styles, colors and classic patterns for a one-of-a-kind look.

Every floor at Carlisle is produced one plank at a time to create a masterpiece that is truly an expression of your personality and taste. Your Carlisle parquet floor will become a defining feature of your home and a welcome reminder of where you are every time you enter your space.

Our team is dedicated to delivering customer service that is as individual as our custom floors. We’ll help you sort through the wide variety of design options for your parquet wood flooring, choosing a hardwood species, floor structure and color as well as your parquet pattern. At every turn, you’ll receive unparalleled service and expert guidance to ensure that the process of designing your floor is as pleasurable as eventually living on it.