ICONIC STRIPES
As the trend for geometrics gathers pace, Direct Wood Flooring advises on how to choose the best parquet to suit your needs.
Originating from France in the late 16th century, as a replacement for marble flooring, parquet became the traditional choice for many prestigious homes. The versatility of design, robust nature and added edge of elegance made it a sought after luxury. So it’s not surprising to see parquet floors making a resurgence into today’s flooring market, trending in herringbone and chevron designs.
The ability to merge hardwood materials with unique artistic designs has given parquet flooring a new identity; recognised by architects and now the fashion industry, as much more than a flooring design but an iconic feature. Available in engineered or solid wood, the tough nature of this flooring makes it suitable for a variety of spaces including hallways and lounges. Each parquet block is robust and durable, enabling it to withstand high levels of traffic whilst maintaining the timeless appeal of real wood.
To protect the longevity of your parquet flooring, it is important to consider the environment in which you are placing it. Engineered parquet is ideal for areas such as kitchens and conservatories as it is less susceptible to the effects of moisture and heat. Solid parquet flooring, although not suitable to every room, boasts a hardwearing nature with the ability to be sanded; maintaining its charming and authentic look year on year.
36 | WOOD & LAMINATE
Parquet flooring comes in fixed lengths and can be quite difficult to install depending on how complex the design is you wish to achieve. It is advised to pre-plan your installation according to the anticipated design and order an extra 10% to compensate for cuts and replacements.
When it comes to choosing a design, personal preference prevails. However, intricate designs tend to be most suitable to larger areas, as smaller rooms may look a little chaotic. Diagonal block patterns are often used to cover small surface areas as these can give the illusion of a bigger room. Widths and lengths of parquet flooring fluctuate to generate the desired effect. Narrow short blocks are generally used in smaller rooms where as wide long blocks create a more distinct pattern over a larger surface area.
Recent trends have emerged in parquet flooring, bringing a modern twist to the traditional herringbone parquet. Colouration is a key factor influencing the range. As one of the most elegant flooring styles, herringbone parquet brings a classic and contemporary look to either a traditional or modern home. Commonly sourced for its natural oak aesthetics, colouration of the planks has adapted to suit modern trends. The introduction of grey tones has modernised the range from its rustic origin, bringing a fresh look to this classic range.
Often used in large dining areas or living rooms, herringbone parquet flooring tends to be the most popular choice of designs. Installed at a 90° angle, these rectangular shaped planks create a unique zig-zag pattern and can be laid horizontal, vertical or diagonal across the desired surface area. Fitting of herringbone can be time consuming however the introduction of fast fitting techniques such as easy click system or tongue and groove make fitting much more efficient.
Chevron Parquet Flooring also uses the herringbone pattern and adopts similar installation techniques however instead of laying rectangular planks at a 90° angle, the chevron planks are cut at an angle to create a perfect meeting point. This angle is what differentiates chevron from herringbone and is more complex to install.
Chevron parquet is renowned for its structural robustness and outstanding aesthetics; hence its position at the top of the parquet range. The introduction of greys tones and more delicate colour variations fits with modern industry demand.
With common trends portraying in colouration and design, parquet flooring is the most versatile yet elegant flooring ranges on today’s market; adding a classic yet contemporary twist to your traditional or modern home.
www.directwoodflooring.co.uk/ parquet-flooring
www.tomorrowscontractfloors.com
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