Parquet Floor Installation

If you want a parquet floor that looks perfectly balanced, feels solid underfoot, and stays stable for years, professional installation makes all the difference. FlooringFirst provides parquet floor installation across London, including herringbone, chevron, and classic parquet patterns.

Parquet floor fitting for herringbone, chevron and more

Parquet is one of the most detail-sensitive floor types to install. Unlike standard planks, parquet blocks and patterned boards require accurate setting-out, clean lines, and consistent spacing from the first row to the last. Small errors early on can create visible “drift” across the room, uneven borders, and awkward cuts around doorways and fireplaces.

Our parquet floor fitters focus on the details that change the final look: centre lines, symmetry, pattern flow, border alignment, and expansion planning. The result is a parquet floor that looks intentional and premium, not “almost right”.

• Herringbone parquet installation (balanced pattern, crisp zig-zag lines)
• Chevron parquet installation (clean V-shape with precise angles)
• Brick bond / straight lay parquet (classic, simple, and timeless)
• Basket weave parquet (traditional pattern with strong character)
• Feature borders (where suitable for the floor type and room layout)

Engineered parquet vs solid parquet

Choosing the right parquet type affects the fitting method, preparation requirements, and how the floor behaves over time. If you already have the parquet, we’ll work with it. If you’re still deciding, this guide will help you choose the right construction for your property.

Engineered parquet

Engineered parquet is built in layers for improved stability. It’s a popular choice for modern London homes because it generally handles changes in humidity better than solid blocks and can be suitable for underfloor heating (when the product specification allows it). Installation is commonly glue-down or click (depending on the product).

Solid parquet blocks

Solid parquet offers a traditional feel and can be sanded multiple times over its lifespan. It typically requires careful acclimatisation and is often installed using a fully bonded adhesive system. Because solid wood reacts more to seasonal movement, subfloor moisture control and expansion planning are especially important.

What makes parquet installation “last”

Most parquet failures aren’t caused by the parquet itself — they happen when preparation is rushed, or the fitting system doesn’t match the subfloor conditions. We focus on the fundamentals that protect your investment and keep the floor stable.

• Moisture checks to confirm the subfloor is ready for timber flooring
• Subfloor flatness so parquet sits properly with no rocking or hollow spots
• Correct adhesive selection matched to the floor type and subfloor
• Accurate setting-out to keep the pattern square and symmetrical
• Expansion planning to reduce the risk of gapping, tenting, or edge pressure
• Clean finishing around thresholds, door frames, and skirting lines

Our parquet floor installation process

Every parquet project is planned around the room layout, subfloor type, and the parquet product you’ve chosen. Here’s what a typical installation looks like.

1) Site visit, measurements and suitability checks

We confirm room measurements, check access, and discuss the visual outcome you want (pattern direction, border decisions, transitions to other rooms, and thresholds). If needed, we’ll advise on the best way to make the parquet layout look balanced in the space.

2) Subfloor assessment and preparation

A stable parquet floor starts underneath. We assess the subfloor condition (concrete, screed, plywood, or existing timber base) and recommend preparation work where required. This can include levelling, reinforcing, or creating the right base for a fully bonded parquet installation.

3) Setting-out lines and pattern planning

We mark centre lines and key reference points so the pattern stays square and consistent. For herringbone and chevron, this stage is critical — it keeps the angles crisp and avoids visible pattern drift across the room.

4) Fitting: glue-down (or product-specific system)

Most parquet installations are fully bonded using the correct adhesive system for your floor and subfloor. We work methodically across the area to maintain pattern alignment, control adhesive spread, and keep cuts neat at edges and around obstacles.

5) Finishing details and transitions

We complete the edges, thresholds, and doorways with the correct approach for the room layout. If your project includes trims or transitions to other floor types, we’ll make sure the finished floor looks clean and intentional, not patched together.

6) Aftercare guidance

Once fitted, we’ll advise on cure times, when furniture can be moved back, and how to protect the surface during the first weeks. Good early aftercare helps prevent dents, scuffs, and adhesive-related issues.

Do you also sand and finish parquet floors?

Some parquet floors need sanding and finishing after installation (especially traditional parquet blocks or unfinished parquet). If your project includes sanding and sealing, we can plan it as a complete package so the final result matches your preferred look — natural, warm, or modern matt. If your parquet is older and needs restoration rather than a new installation, see our related service for parquet flooring support or explore our main flooring services for the best route forward.

How long does parquet floor installation take?

Timeframes depend on the pattern, room size, subfloor condition, and whether the parquet needs additional finishing. As a general guide:

• Smaller rooms may be completed in 1–2 days (prepped subfloor, straightforward layout)
• Herringbone / chevron usually takes longer due to setting-out and precision cuts
• Subfloor preparation can add time if levelling or reinforcement is required
• Sanding and finishing (where needed) adds additional days, depending on coats and drying times

Parquet fitting costs: what affects the price?

Parquet installation pricing is shaped by how complex the pattern is and how much preparation the subfloor needs. Two properties of the same size can have very different requirements once we check the base and the layout details.

• Pattern complexity (chevron and detailed borders usually cost more than straight lay)
• Subfloor condition (levelling, moisture control, or ply base work)
• Room shape (bay windows, fireplaces, and lots of doorways increase cutting time)
• Parquet type (engineered vs solid, thickness, and installation method)
• Finishing requirements (unfinished parquet needs sanding and sealing after fitting)

Common parquet installation mistakes we help you avoid

Parquet looks simple on paper, but small errors can stay visible for the life of the floor. Professional parquet floor fitters prevent the issues that often lead to disappointment, repairs, or costly rework.

• Pattern drift caused by weak setting-out and poor reference lines
• Uneven surface when parquet is laid over an unlevel subfloor
• Loose or hollow areas from incorrect adhesive use or rushed bonding
• Gapping and movement due to missing acclimatisation and expansion planning
• Untidy edges around doorways, skirting lines, and thresholds

Parquet floor fitting FAQs

Here are the answers to the questions we’re asked most often about parquet floor installation in London.

Do I need a perfectly level subfloor for parquet?

Parquet performs best on a flat, stable base. If the subfloor is uneven, the parquet can rock, sound hollow, or develop gaps and movement over time. We assess the subfloor and recommend the right preparation before installation.

How do you install parquet flooring?

Most parquet is installed using a fully bonded method over a prepared subfloor. The process includes setting-out lines, planning the pattern, bonding the parquet systematically, completing edges and thresholds, and then providing aftercare guidance. Some parquet products use different systems (such as click), depending on the manufacturer specification.

How to lay parquet flooring properly?

The key is correct preparation and accurate setting-out. A stable subfloor, moisture control, and a perfectly square layout are essential to keep the pattern straight and symmetrical. Because parquet patterns magnify small errors, many homeowners choose professional fitting to avoid visible drift and uneven borders.

Can parquet be installed over underfloor heating?

Often yes, but it depends on the parquet construction and the heating system. Engineered parquet is typically more suitable than solid wood. The correct preparation, compatible materials, and controlled heating schedule are important for long-term stability.

Do you install herringbone parquet and chevron parquet?

Yes. Herringbone and chevron are two of the most popular parquet patterns in London homes. We plan the layout carefully to keep the pattern balanced and ensure the finished floor looks crisp from every angle.

Will my parquet need sanding and sealing after installation?

If the parquet is unfinished (often the case with traditional blocks), sanding and finishing may be needed to achieve the final surface and protection. Pre-finished parquet typically does not need sanding after installation, as long as the surface isn’t damaged during fitting.

Book a parquet floor installation quote in London

If you’re planning a new parquet floor and want a clean, symmetrical finish that lasts, we can help. Tell us the room size, parquet type (engineered or solid), and the pattern you want, and we’ll advise the best installation approach.

We offer expert installation of herringbone, chevron, and traditional block patterns, backed by years of experience and satisfied clients across London. From the first site visit to the final seal, your flooring is in expert hands. Still exploring parquet designs? Visit our full range of parquet flooring and choose from classic herringbone, chevron, and more.

Get in touch today to schedule your free on-site survey and consultation, or browse our gallery to see examples of our recent parquet floor installations.
 

Our flooring service comes with obligation-free site visits, quick quotations and free advice. Give us a call on 020 88309782 to speak to a member of our staff, who can arrange for a free assessment of your parquet floor fitting service at a convenient for you time.