The origins of parquet flooring date back to the late 1600s in Versailles, France. Handmade by cutting pieces of wood into small, geometric shapes, it emerged as an alternative to marble flooring. Simple plank wood floors were already in existence, but the system was devised which allowed more extravagant and sophisticated patterns to be integrated within flooring designs. This highly patterned flooring was a popular choice because of its more refined and decorative patterns, with Louis XIV opting for parquet flooring for the Palace of Versailles. In the 17th and 18th centuries, it became increasingly popular in Western Europe.

Throughout the 1900s, the popularity of parquet flooring in residential properties fell, with carpet becoming the flooring of choice for most residential places. However, parquet flooring was still widely used in commercial buildings such as hospitals and schools due to its ability to withstand high footfall. There was a revival in interest in the 1970s/80s.

Modern heating and air conditioning systems subject wooden flooring to extreme changes in temperature, and non-engineered parquet flooring can react badly to fluctuations. The element7 engineered parquet flooring is able to withstand changes in temperature and humidity, because it is manufactured from high-quality wood and not layered with plywood, unlike many other floors.

Premium flooring brand, element7, has unrivalled experience and expertise in the field of engineered parquet flooring and its floors are guaranteed for 25 years.

Parquet flooring has evolved and there are a variety of styles to choose from, including mansion weave, chevron and herringbone, as well as more abstract designs, such as ‘Da Vinci’.

Jago Anderson, Creative Director at element7, comments: “Parquet flooring can be laid anywhere in the house. For thinner spaces, like corridors and hallways, extra care needs to be taken when fitting to ensure that both sides of the room are equal and balanced. element7 does this by using a central spin and laying the floor out from either side. This ensures complete symmetry. Whilst herringbone has been the most popular design for many years, we are seeing an increased demand for chevrons and mansion weaves.”