Contemporary parquet flooring is inspired by late 1600s French chateaus and palaces that were adorned with the finest hardwoods available. Hand harvested, finished and polished these floors were chosen to replace marble and stone due to their insulation properties and easy maintenance. To achieve a uniform installation, they were cut much smaller than modern day planks. These smaller pieces could be arranged in geometric patterns to form stunning masterpieces that could be altered in different rooms and settings according to preference.
As technology has advanced we can now finish our engineered parquet flooring with UV lacquers or hard wax oils to provide lifelong protection against moisture, sunlight and dirt. Smoking, brushing and micro bevelled edging are all modern techniques that have enabled us to add depth, character to our parquet panels. Alongside innovative joining methods, modern engineered wood flooring can be rejuvenated and refreshed overtime.
Typically more expensive than straight planks, parquet flooring requires more raw material. Versailles panels are manufactured in large squares that are intricately carved, bonded and detailed to create stunning geometric patterns. This is in contrast to herringbone floors that utilise similar geometric patterns but the planks are individually selected and installed. Herringbone pieces can be adapted to form double-herringbone, subway or basketweave patterns depending on style or décor.