An Introduction to Parquet
Parquet is a type of flooring that utilizes a geometric mosaic of wood pieces to create a decorative effect. Parquet patterns are often entirely geometrical and angular—squares, triangles, lozenges—but may also contain curves. The most popular parquet flooring pattern is herringbone which has a long history and is named for its resemblance to the bones of fish such as herring.
The word “parquet” is derived from the Old French word “parchet” (the diminutive of parc), which means “a small enclosed space”.
While traditional parquet floors were installed one piece at a time, most modern parquet comes in pre-made “tiles” in which the wood slats are fixed to a backing material. Parquet tile flooring is installed by gluing, nailing, or stapling the tiles to the subfloor. Because the parquet strips are hardwood, parquet flooring is similar in look and performance to traditional solid-hardwood parquet flooring.
One of the most famous parquet floors is the one used by the Boston Celtics of the NBA. The original floor, which was installed at the Celtics’ original home of Boston Arena in 1946, was moved intact to Boston Garden in 1952 and used there until the team moved to what was then known as FleetCenter in 1995, now known as TD Garden.
German Standard offers a full line of customizable parquet design flooring.