What is parquetry?
Parquetry is timber flooring made from small, precisely cut blocks laid in a repeating geometric pattern. Instead of long boards running one way, the blocks change direction to create herringbone zigzags, chevron Vs, woven squares or panels. Each block is usually glued to the subfloor and the whole floor is sanded and finished as one surface.
The word comes from the French parquet, originally meaning a small enclosed area. Australians say parquetry more often; builders, designers and suppliers increasingly say parquet. Both refer to the same thing. For a comparison with conventional boards, see parquet vs floorboards.
A short history of parquet
Parquet began in 17th-century France as a way of replacing heavy marble floors in grand houses with patterned timber. The best-known example is the parquet de Versailles panel, a woven-square design named after the palace where it was laid.
- 17th century: herringbone and panel parquet spread through European palaces and townhouses, mostly in oak.
- 18th–19th centuries: parquet becomes a mark of quality in European homes, from Paris apartments to London townhouses.
- 20th century: factory-made blocks make parquetry affordable. Many Australian homes and public buildings of the post-war decades were finished with block or mosaic parquetry, often later covered with carpet.
- Today: larger herringbone and chevron blocks in European oak have returned to Australian and New Zealand renovations, usually in natural, pale or smoked tones.
Parquet patterns
The pattern is the defining choice in a parquetry floor. It sets the look, the amount of cutting and labour, and the waste allowance.
| Pattern | How it is laid | Look | Labour and waste | Timbo range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Herringbone | Square-ended blocks meet at 90°, staggered | Classic zigzag | Moderate–high | Herringbone parquet |
| Double herringbone | Pairs of blocks laid side by side in the zigzag | Bolder, woven | High | Ask Timbo |
| Chevron (Hungarian point) | Blocks with angled ends meet in a straight line | Continuous V | High | Chevron parquet |
| Basketweave | Groups of blocks laid in alternating squares | Woven, traditional | Moderate | Pattern parquet |
| Versailles / panels | Prefabricated square panels with lattice designs | Formal, grand | Highest | Pattern parquet |
| Brick / ladder | Blocks laid like brickwork | Simple, linear | Low–moderate | Ask Timbo |
| Mosaic (finger) | Small fingers grouped into squares | Mid-century Australian classic | Moderate | – |
Pattern parquet in the Timbo range includes the Hybrid Oak Timeless Pattern Parquet – 15mm patterned oak squares in 450 × 450mm and 800 × 800mm. For drawings and detail on each layout, see our parquet patterns guide, and compare the two favourites in herringbone vs chevron.
Choosing a pattern for the room
- Long, narrow rooms and hallways: herringbone or chevron laid along the length draws the eye through the space.
- Large open-plan areas: bigger blocks (such as an 820mm herringbone) keep the pattern in proportion.
- Formal living and dining rooms: chevron, Versailles panels or a herringbone with a border frame the room.
- Period homes: match the scale and pattern of the original floor where it survives elsewhere in the house.
Parquet blocks: size, thickness and grade
A parquet block's length, width and thickness decide the scale of the pattern and how many times the floor can be renewed.
- Length and width. Longer, wider blocks make a bolder, more contemporary pattern; small blocks look traditional. Timbo herringbone comes in 710 × 123 × 18mm (standard) and 820 × 123 × 18mm (large). A box of the 710mm size holds 16 panels, about 1.4 m².
- Thickness. Solid 18mm blocks can be sanded and refinished many times. Engineered parquet has a thinner oak wear layer over a core, which limits resanding.
- Profile. Most solid parquet is tongue and groove on its edges, which keeps blocks level and helps the floor act as one surface.
- Grade. Every block in a pattern is seen from several angles, so a clean, even grade such as Prime lets the pattern stand out.
How parquetry is installed
Parquetry is usually glued directly to a flat, dry subfloor and then sanded and finished as a single surface. Herringbone and chevron reward an experienced installer – the set-out decides how the finished floor reads.
- Check the subfloor. A slab must be dry and flat, roughly within 3mm over 3m (Bowens); timber subfloors need a sound sheet layer.
- Acclimatise and test moisture. Install timber within about ±2% of the moisture content it will live at (WoodSolutions).
- Plan the set-out. Centre the pattern on the main line of sight, plan borders and thresholds, and calculate waste – see herringbone layout and waste.
- Apply moisture barrier and adhesive to the adhesive manufacturer's specification.
- Lay the pattern from a straight reference line, tapping blocks into tongue and groove joints.
- Leave expansion gaps at walls and fixed objects – see expansion gaps for solid parquet.
- Sand and finish raw parquet once the adhesive has cured.
How much does parquetry cost?
New parquetry in Australia typically costs more to install than straight floorboards because of the set-out, cutting and labour involved. Indicative 2026 figures, AUD including GST:
| Item | Indicative cost per m² | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Raw solid French oak herringbone, supply (retail) | $94.99 | SET Timber Supplies |
| Engineered oak herringbone, supply | ~$79–$160 | Skov |
| Engineered oak herringbone, installed | $160–$320 | Imperial |
| Herringbone installation labour | $60–$100 standard; $90–$120+ complex | The Flooring Guys |
| Sanding and coating | $30–$70 | WhatsTheDamage |
Add subfloor preparation, adhesive and moisture barrier, borders and waste. Our parquet installation cost guide breaks down each line. Timbo does not publish retail prices – your partner will quote.
Restoring old parquetry in period homes
Old parquetry can usually be restored rather than replaced – and a restored original floor is often a selling point in a period or mid-century home. Many floors uncovered from under carpet only need re-gluing, patching and a sand and recoat.
| Problem | Likely cause | Typical fix |
|---|---|---|
| Loose or hollow-sounding blocks | Old adhesive failing | Lift, clean and re-glue with modern adhesive |
| Missing or damaged blocks | Past renovations, water damage | Replace with matched blocks of the same species and size |
| Gaps between blocks | Low humidity, shrinkage | Stabilise conditions; fill if gaps are stable |
| Cupping or lifting | Moisture from below | Find and fix the moisture source before repairs |
| Dull, worn or stained finish | Wear and age | Sand and recoat |
| Black residue under blocks | Older bitumen-type adhesives | Test before sanding or removing |
Safety first: some older flooring adhesives and underlays contain hazardous materials, including asbestos in some cases. Have suspect materials tested by a qualified assessor before any sanding, scraping or removal.
Where an old floor is beyond repair, or a new pattern is wanted, a new solid oak parquet floor can be laid. Restoration specialists will often recommend matching the scale of the original pattern in heritage rooms. See sanding and finishing oak for the refinishing process.
Sources
- The Flooring Guys – Herringbone flooring cost in Australia
- WhatsTheDamage – Timber floor sanding cost
- SET Timber Supplies – Raw herringbone French oak
- Skov – Herringbone flooring prices Australia
- Imperial Flooring – Herringbone flooring cost guide 2026
- Bowens – Hardwood timber flooring
- WoodSolutions – Moisture guide
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between parquetry and parquet?
There is no difference in the floor itself. Parquetry is the common Australian term and parquet the international one; both mean timber blocks laid in a geometric pattern. Some people use parquetry for the craft and parquet for the floor.
Is parquetry old-fashioned?
No. Herringbone and chevron parquet are among the most requested floors in Australian and New Zealand renovations, usually in larger blocks and pale or natural oak tones that look contemporary. The small-block mosaic parquetry found in many older homes is a different, more dated look.
Can old parquetry be restored?
Usually, yes. Loose blocks can be re-glued, missing blocks replaced and the whole floor sanded and recoated, often for far less than a new floor. Get the old adhesive tested before sanding or lifting blocks, as some older adhesives contain hazardous materials.
Can parquetry be laid on a concrete slab?
Yes. Solid parquet is normally glued directly to a flat, dry slab with a suitable adhesive and moisture barrier. See adhesives and moisture barriers.
Is herringbone or chevron more expensive?
Chevron usually costs a little more, because its angled ends need more precise machining and set-out. Both cost more to install than straight boards. Compare them in herringbone vs chevron.
How do I get Timbo parquet for my home?
Through a Timbo partner, who will quote supply and installation. Find a partner or email partnerships@timbo.com.au to be connected with the nearest one.