Types of Parquet

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Herringbone and other plain Parquets

Herringbone is perhaps the most traditional pattern in the UK. If this is what you are looking for, you can go straight to a page full of herringbone styles by clicking here. You can see many patterns by going to our pages of Parquet Panel Designs, which may be executed in a single timber or in mildly or strongly contrasting timbers. Herringbone battens are square ended. Chevron battens are cut at an angle between 30 and 45 degrees. Herringbone is called 'fischgraat' in northern Europe and 'parquet d'anglais' in France. Chevron, which we think of as a French pattern is there called 'pointe de Hongrie', which suggests the French pinched the idea from the Hungarians, who probably pinched it from the Persians, who invented everything.

This is a detail of the simple border around a herringbone floor, which nicely demonstrates how well thought through design enhances the look of a room and diminishes the impact of awkward or unsightly features. It is the first step in decorating plain parquets. Many more styles of borders may be used to enhance a simple or complex design, Wenge, chiefly from Zaire, is frequently used for a near black contrast timber. This border 'frames' the floor nicely and is used to reduce the visual impact of the many minor interruptions in the line of the walls, such as the support pillars, and radiator grille. This heating vent was an essential but unsightly object in the formerly carpeted room. Creating the dark line around it has neatened it and integrated it into the design of the new floor.

The variety of designs are limited solely by the breadth of human imagination. However, there are a few classics which have stood the test of time and remained firm favourites. Created for the Sun King, Louis XIV, and used throughout the Palace of Versailles, the Versailles pattern has been adopted as an icon of elegance in costly homes and palaces throughout the world. To the right is a photograph of the original in the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles. Photographs of our own floors can be seen on another page.

Decorative Geometric Parquet

This is a decorative geometric parquet in the home of a stylish Architect, Richard Holden, who works principally in the Wimbledon, London area, but also carries out projects further afield. The background is of natural European oak, cut quatier/ faux quatier and the pattern is executed in natural oak, natural brown oak, walnut and wenge detail. The parquet is laid over underfloor heating. The pattern can be seen in a different context and scale by clicking here.