Parquet flooring isn’t just a style—it’s a story. Made of small wood pieces laid in decorative patterns, parquet has been adding charm to homes and buildings for centuries. Whether it’s the elegant herringbone floors of a French palace or the warm basketweave pattern in a Kansas City bungalow, parquet is timeless. In this guide, we’ll walk through where it came from, how it’s made, why it matters, and how to care for it—especially if you’re lucky enough to own an older floor.
What Is Parquet Flooring?
Parquet flooring is made from small wooden blocks arranged in repeating geometric designs. These pieces are usually cut into rectangles, but sometimes they’re angled or even curved to form intricate shapes.
Some of the most popular parquet patterns include:
- Herringbone – blocks laid in a zigzag
- Chevron – similar to herringbone but with sharp, angled ends
- Basketweave – blocks that appear woven
- Versailles – a large, square, tile-like pattern named after the French palace
Parquet flooring can be made from many wood species—oak, walnut, maple, and even exotic woods like Jarrah and Teak. The wood may be glued directly to the subfloor or, in historic floors, face-nailed or adhered with older materials like bitumen.
A Quick History of Parquet Flooring
Parquet dates back to the 1600s in France, where it was first used in royal palaces to replace marble floors that needed too much upkeep. One of the most famous examples is the Parquet de Versailles, designed in 1684 for the Palace of Versailles. These early floors were custom-crafted by hand and showed off both the wealth and taste of the homeowners.
By the 1800s and early 1900s, parquet flooring spread throughout Europe and the United States, often showing up in government buildings, mansions, and luxury apartments. In places like our town of Kansas City, parquet was installed in public buildings, churches, and upscale homes. By the 1930s and 1940s, you’d even find parquet in modest homes thanks to new manufacturing methods.
Today, we’re seeing a resurgence in parquet flooring, both in new builds and historic renovations.
Popular Parquet Patterns and What They Say About Your Space
One of the most exciting things about parquet is the sheer variety of patterns available. Each one brings a different mood, rhythm, and sense of movement to a room.
Here are some of the most popular and distinctive parquet styles:
Herringbone
Probably the most classic pattern. Rectangular blocks are laid at 90-degree angles in a zigzag.
- Visual vibe: Timeless, structured, slightly traditional.
- Best for: Hallways, living rooms, historic renovations.
Chevron
Similar to herringbone, but the ends are cut at an angle (usually 45° or 60°) to form clean “V” shapes.
- Visual vibe: Sleek, symmetrical, modern.
- Best for: Contemporary homes, feature rooms.
Basketweave
Blocks are arranged to appear “woven” together—often in repeating squares or rectangles.
- Visual vibe: Textured, warm, craftsman-like.
- Best for: Dining rooms, offices, cozier spaces.
Brick Bond / Stack Bond
A simpler layout where blocks are laid like bricks, either staggered or in a straight grid.
- Visual vibe: Minimalist, low-maintenance, subtle.
- Best for: Small homes, mid-century updates.
Versailles
Large square panels made of interwoven wood slats in a geometric lattice pattern—originally created for the Palace of Versailles.
- Visual vibe: Grand, ornate, luxurious.
- Best for: Formal spaces, luxury builds.
Mosaic / Square On Square
Small squares arranged in repeating geometric grids. Common in 1950s and 60s homes.
- Visual vibe: Retro, playful, graphic.
- Best for: Entryways, kitchens, restorations.
Custom / Mixed Patterns
Some custom high-end floors blend multiple patterns or introduce diagonal cuts, borders, and even circular inlays.
- Visual vibe: Artistic, bespoke, high-end.
- Best for: Designer homes, galleries, hotels.
How Parquet Flooring Is Made
Parquet flooring stands apart from standard wood planks because of the complexity behind its design, cutting, and assembly. Whether it’s crafted in a high-tech factory or built by hand in a woodworking shop, making parquet is both a technical process and an art form.
Here’s how it typically comes together:
1. Designing the Pattern
Everything starts with the pattern. Whether it’s herringbone, chevron, basketweave, or a fully custom design, each pattern must be scaled to fit the room it’s going in. For custom projects, installers or designers often use CAD software or full-size printed drawings to ensure perfect proportions.
Why it matters: Even a small mistake in layout or angles can throw the entire pattern off. Precision at this stage is critical.
2. Cutting the Pieces
Parquet is built from many small wood pieces, all cut to specific shapes and angles. Depending on the approach, these pieces may be:
- Factory-milled using CNC machines to create standardized panels or blocks.
- Fabricated by hand, often using custom sleds and jigs on a table saw for repeatable, accurate cuts.
Some complex designs can require cutting hundreds of pieces across multiple shapes—often in the thousands for even a modest room. Each piece must match precisely so the pattern locks in cleanly.
Example: The parquet floor we crafted below: 3,342 pieces, hand cut on site!
3. Creating Joints: Tongues, Grooves, Tenons, and Mortises
To connect all the pieces, manufacturers use classic joinery methods:
- Tongue-and-groove joints allow square pieces to slot into surrounding blocks.
- Mortise-and-tenon joints are used in traditional parquet panels, where pegs or glue may secure the fit without nails.
These joints are either cut using precision machinery or hand routers, depending on whether the project is factory-made or custom.
4. Panel Assembly or On-Site Layout
There are two main paths for getting parquet to your floor:
- Pre-assembled parquet panels: Each panel includes several blocks and borders already glued and pressed together. These are fast to install and factory-controlled for accuracy.
- Site-built floors: In high-end or artistic installs, each piece is assembled by hand on-site using printed guides or full-room chalk lines. Pieces are taped together to hold shape before glue-down begins.
5. Surface Aging and Texturing (Optional)
Some floors are made to look centuries old. To achieve that, manufacturers may:
- Lightly sand and soften the wood edges
- Rub sand or wire-brush the surface for a worn-in look
- Apply antique-style finishes that mimic historic patina
This is especially popular in restorations or when replicating French chateau-style parquet.
6. Finishing Touches: Color, Protection, and Sheen
After assembly, the floor is finished to enhance the wood’s natural beauty and protect it from wear:
- Staining brings out color and highlights grain differences.
- Hardwax oils or penetrating oils offer a matte, natural look and are often preferred for their repairability and depth.
- Water-popping may be used before staining to reopen the wood grain for more even color absorption.
TL;DR: Parquet = Precision + Craft
From CAD layouts to several thousand custom-cut pieces, making parquet is more than just cutting wood—it’s solving a geometric puzzle in three dimensions. Whether it’s made in a factory or crafted by hand, each piece must lock in perfectly for the floor to perform and look beautiful.
And when done right? No two parquet floors are ever the same.
How Parquet Floors Are Installed Today (According to the Pros)
Modern parquet floor installation blends centuries-old craftsmanship with cutting-edge industry standards, especially those outlined by the National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA). Whether you’re installing herringbone, chevron, or Versailles panels, the process demands precision and planning far beyond what’s required for straight plank flooring.
Here’s what expert-approved parquet installation actually looks like:
1. Subfloor Prep: Flatness Is Non-Negotiable
Parquet requires extremely flat subfloors—far more than standard flooring. According to the NWFA, the subfloor must be within 3/16″ over 10 feet or 1/8″ over 6 feet of flatness. Anything beyond that must be corrected using approved leveling compounds or a plywood underlayment.
🛠️ Why it matters: Parquet patterns magnify flaws. One high or low spot can ruin the flow of the design.
2. Layout and Pattern Alignment
The layout stage is critical—especially for geometric patterns like chevron or basketweave. NWFA recommends using a 3-4-5 triangle method to ensure 90° angles and running chalk lines from the center of the room. Installers often “dry-lay” a few rows to confirm the pattern lands correctly.
Pro insight: Parquet should be laid out from the center of the room or a primary focal point, not just the longest wall. This avoids awkward cuts and ensures visual balance.
3. Acclimation and Moisture Testing
Before any wood hits the floor, NWFA requires that:
- The wood flooring is acclimated to the environment (typically 5–7 days).
- Both the subfloor and the flooring are moisture tested. NWFA standards require 6–9% moisture content for wood, and the subfloor must not differ by more than 2–4% depending on the subfloor type.
Tip: Use NWFA-approved moisture tests like ASTM F-2170 (RH probes) or F-1869 (calcium chloride) for concrete slabs.
4. Adhesives and Fasteners
Glue-down installation is the industry standard for most parquet floors today. NWFA guidelines call for:
- Only manufacturer-approved urethane or polymer adhesives
- Proper trowel size and spread rate (usually 50–60 sq. ft./gal)
- Clean subfloor—free from dust, debris, or old adhesives
Some solid ¾” parquet products may also allow nail-down installation, but only if they feature a tongue-and-groove edge and a suitable plywood subfloor.
Don’t skimp here: Using the wrong adhesive or skipping trowel guidelines can lead to floor failure, movement, or hollow spots.
5. Expansion Gaps and Movement Joints
The NWFA requires leaving a minimum ½” expansion space around the perimeter and all vertical obstructions like walls or cabinetry. For larger installations or multi-room patterns, movement joints may be necessary to prevent buckling from seasonal changes in humidity.
Did you know? Parquet reacts to environmental changes more visibly than plank floors because of the alternating grain directions.
6. Borders, Inlays, and Custom Features
High-end parquet often includes contrasting wood borders, species changes, or custom inlays. These are typically scribed in on-site and require high-level craftsmanship.
- Border pieces are milled to match pattern spacing and aligned perfectly with field layout.
- Inlays may include compass roses, medallions, or transitions between patterns.
Pro move: Installers often hand-cut these pieces using jigs and finish sand them in place for a seamless appearance.
7. Sanding and Finishing
Site-finished parquet allows for total customization but demands finesse:
- Use light-to-medium grits (start at 60 or 80) to avoid removing too much material.
- Random orbital sanders or multi-head machines are ideal to avoid over-sanding directional grain.
- Water-based urethanes or hardwax oils are popular for their clarity and low odor.
Color tip: Because different grain directions absorb stain differently, experienced pros often water-pop the floor and test colors before committing.
Maintenance Tips to Keep Parquet Beautiful for Decades
Whether it’s brand new or 100 years old, parquet flooring lasts longest with proper maintenance.
Do:
- Vacuum regularly with a hardwood-friendly brush head
- Use a lightly damp (not wet) mop and a pH-neutral wood cleaner
- Place mats at entrances to trap dirt and grit
- Recoat high-traffic areas every 3–5 years
Don’t:
- Soak the floor with water—it can seep into joints and damage the wood
- Use steam mops or vinegar-based solutions
- Let heavy furniture drag across the pattern—use felt pads
Why Parquet Flooring Is Worth It
Parquet flooring isn’t just a design decision—it’s an investment in beauty, history, and craftsmanship. Whether you’re restoring a historic Kansas City home or planning a bold, modern statement, parquet brings a sense of timelessness you simply can’t get with basic planks.
And because every floor is different—every pattern, every grain, every hand-cut piece—it becomes part of your home’s story.
At Kimminau Wood Floors, we specialize in the kind of parquet work that honors tradition while meeting today’s performance standards. From intricate Versailles panels to custom herringbone installs, our team can help you plan, build, and protect a parquet floor that lasts generations.
Parquet is One For the Ages
Few flooring styles carry this much history. Parquet flooring is proof that craftsmanship still matters – it always draws attention and commands any room because people can tell that so much work and care went into it. And it really does – It takes patience to cut every piece, precision to lay each one, and experience to make the finished floor feel effortless. But when it’s done right, parquet doesn’t just cover a space—it transforms it.
If you are in the Kansas City area and looking to revamp an aged parquet floor or install a new custom one, give Kimminau a shout.
