Dec 17 2007
For many decades, parquet wood flooring has been stereotyped. Parquet traditionally has been defined using one pattern called a finger block. The finger block pattern includes individual boards that are one-inch wide, four inches long, and are combined together side to side to create a four-inch by four-inch block. Four blocks then are combined in a perpendicular pattern to create larger blocks that are repeated throughout the room. While this may be the pattern most people think of when they think of parquet wood flooring, parquet offers countless design possibilities.
By definition, parquet wood flooring is any pattern that is geometric in shape rather than linear, such as with traditional strip or plank flooring. Parquet patterns can vary in size and can be very simple, or extremely elaborate. Some common parquet patterns include the Bordeaux, the Monticello, the Basketweave, and the Marie Antionette. The patterns can be very subtle when created using just one species of wood, or can become extremely elaborate when created using a variety of species.
Parquet generally is installed using the glue down method, which can be utilized on both a wood and a concrete slab subfloor. This makes parquet an extremely versatile wood flooring option.
To see some of the design options available with parquet flooring, visit the NWFA's consumer web site at http://www.woodfloors.org, click on the "All About Wood Floors" link and select "Beautiful Floors" from the menu options. You also can find a wood flooring professional in your area who specializes in parquet installations by visiting the "Find a Professional or Product" link.