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Parquet Installation Patterns

The aesthetics of a floor are determined not only by the wood species but also by the geometry of the installation. Many parquet patterns exist.

Deck (Ship deck), Parallel, English, Oxford, Fishbone (also known as Herringbone) , French Parquet (also known as French Herringbone or Chevron), Basket Weave (Chess), Rhombus, Ladder, Mosaic, Braided, Old German, Burgundian—and the list goes on.

Added to these are various names for plank-style parquet. How do we find our way through these labyrinths and choose our pattern?

When choosing a pattern, we shouldn't be seduced by a beautiful name. Nor does a masterfully captured shot by a photographer automatically mean that the pattern will be equally effective in our space.

What Should We Consider?

First and foremost, the spatial realities must be taken into account:

Room dimensions (is the room narrow or wide, rectangular or more square?)
Lighting and exposure (presence and size of windows, sunny or shady side, shadowing)
Which part of the floor is visible? Are large sections of parquet clear, or is it mostly covered by furniture?
What is the functional purpose of the parquet? (Home, office, or public space)

It is possible to install parquet in a luxurious pattern in a small room, but that won't turn it into a Hall of Versailles. The effect might even be the opposite, intensifying the feeling of narrowness. Wide patterns need scale to "open up," just as a good red wine needs the right temperature and glass to appreciate its virtues. After all, wine tastes different at different temperatures and in different glasses.

There are no ready-made formulas that dictate which geometric pattern to use in which room. However, there are Golden Rules that can serve as a guide and be applied to any space:

Installing parquet at a diagonal angle makes rooms appear more voluminous. The effect can be enhanced by using smaller-sized parquet pieces.
Large-sized parquet is more effective in large rooms.
Parallel patterns lengthen a room if they run parallel to the walls. Transverse patterns, on the other hand, shorten it.
Floors heavily laden with furniture or in shade are more harmonious with uniform and consistent patterns.
If there is a large space in the room, it is desirable to use patterns that play with sunlight in different tones, such as the French Herringbone pattern.
For a harmonious overall picture, the parquet should be installed in the direction of the light falling. If gaps appear over time, they will be less noticeable as the sunlight aligns with them.
If we don't want to visually enlarge or reduce the direction and size of the room, strong patterns like Basket Weave (Chess) are a good choice.

Below, let's explore the most common patterns and see what visual and psychological effects can be achieved through different geometries.

Deck (Ship Deck)

One of the most common patterns in Georgia—and perhaps the world—is the Deck pattern. The characteristic of this pattern is that the parquet pieces are installed parallel to each other but in a staggered, irregular way. The joints are disproportionate and chaotic.

If we introduce elements of order into the deck pattern, we get other styles. Specifically: if every second row is symmetrical and the joints align with the midpoint of the plank, we have the English pattern. If the joint is at 2/3 of the plank length, it is called Oxford. In the case of maximum symmetry, where all joints align on a single line, the deck pattern transforms into a Parallel pattern.

If we build vertical strips into a parallel pattern, we get the Ladder or Rail pattern.

Herringbone (Fishbone)

The second familiar pattern is the so-called Fishbone or Herringbone. We have all seen this pattern; it was frequently installed during the Soviet period. The parquet pieces are placed at a 90-degree angle to each other. The resulting shape resembles a spruce tree or a fish skeleton, which is where the name comes from. There are single-strip, double-strip, and triple-strip Herringbone variations.

French Parquet

In this same category is one of the most trendy patterns recently—French Parquet, also known as French Herringbone or Chevron.

In a French pattern, the parquet must be cut at a 45 or 60-degree angle. This means more material waste, which is why installing parquet in this pattern is more expensive than a standard Herringbone.

Rhombus

The Rhombus pattern is both effective and affordably priced. The reason for the lower price is material cost—Rhombus patterns are assembled from small pieces of parquet. These pieces are not as expensive as larger ones. 3D effects can be achieved with the Rhombus pattern.

Old German

The Old German and Burgundian styles are interesting patterns. Two or three parquet strips are "blocked" by a perpendicular, shortened piece. It’s as if their freedom is being restricted. Goethe used to say: Freedom is not about not feeling a power above you, but about feeling it and still being free and happy. The parquet strips enclosed in this barrier create order and beauty in this pattern. If the barriers are a different color, the effect is even more striking. The difference between Old German and Burgundian lies in their symmetries. This pattern is not as calm as the deck style; it demands more attention.

Basket Weave (Chess)

The Basket Weave (Chess) pattern is quite common. The installed parquet has the visual appearance of a chessboard.

We've come quite a way from simple parquet patterns, haven't we? The sounds of clashing swords and shattering helmets almost seem audible. I don't like war, and you don't seem like someone thirsty for battle either.

Our vote goes to peace, our sympathy to chess, and to the parquet Basket Weave pattern. It is a completely pacifistic, tranquil, and balanced pattern with a spatially neutral effect. It neither exaggerates nor diminishes the space. You won't make a mistake by choosing this pattern.

We are slowly sailing toward the shore. Let's pull into the bay. On the shore, let's enjoy some coffee with a croissant...

Thank you for being my friend.