Parquet Flooring Cost: 2026 Prices by Pattern & Wood
Parquet is real wood flooring laid in a geometric pattern instead of long parallel boards. Herringbone hallways, chevron living rooms, and the classic square blocks in older homes are all parquet. The look has come back in a big way, and so has the question homeowners ask first: how much more does it cost than a standard plank floor?
TheRemodelers works with licensed flooring contractors to help homeowners understand what parquet flooring costs, why the pattern changes the price, and what to look for in an installer who can lay it well.
Parquet Flooring Cost at a Glance
Parquet Type | Typical Installed Cost (per sq ft) | Notes |
|---|
Engineered parquet (herringbone or chevron planks) | $8 – $15 | Real-wood veneer over a stable core; can go over concrete |
Solid wood parquet | $12 – $25 | Solid hardwood blocks; refinishable many times |
Parquet panels or tiles (pre-assembled blocks) | $8 – $15 | Faster to lay; common in classic square-block floors |
Plank hardwood for comparison | $6 – $15 | Engineered $6 – $12; solid $8 – $15 |
These parquet ranges come from current 2026 market pricing and vary widely by species, pattern, and region. Treat them as a planning range and get local quotes before you budget.
Why Parquet Costs More Than Plank Flooring
The material can cost about the same as a plank floor in the same species. The difference is labor. A plank floor runs in straight rows; a parquet floor has to be laid out from a centered reference line, with every piece set at an angle and fitted against its neighbors.
Layout: the installer snaps reference lines so the pattern runs straight and centered in the room, and that planning takes time before the first piece goes down.
Cutting: every row ends at an angle against the walls, so there are far more cuts than in a plank floor.
Waste: angled patterns waste more wood; plan on about 15% overage for herringbone and chevron versus about 10% for plank floors.
Skill: small errors compound across a pattern and become obvious, so experienced parquet installers often charge more.
As a planning figure, expect pattern labor to run roughly 20% to 30% more than straight plank installation in the same wood.
Parquet Patterns and What They Mean for Cost
Pattern | Look | Relative Install Cost |
|---|
Square block / basket weave | Classic small squares or woven pairs | Lowest (often pre-assembled panels) |
Herringbone | Rectangles meeting in a staggered zigzag | Higher |
Chevron | Ends cut at an angle to form a continuous V | Higher (angled-end pieces cost more) |
Versailles and custom panels | Large decorative panels with borders | Highest |
Herringbone and chevron look similar at a glance. Herringbone uses rectangles laid so the end of one meets the side of the next; chevron pieces are cut at an angle so the ends meet in a clean point. Chevron material usually costs more because of those factory angles.
Solid vs. Engineered Parquet
Solid parquet is made from blocks of solid hardwood. Like a solid plank floor, it can be sanded and refinished many times and can last 30 to 100 years with periodic refinishing. It needs a wood subfloor and is not suited to basements or slabs.
Engineered parquet has a real hardwood veneer over a plywood or composite core. It costs less, moves less with humidity, and can be glued or floated over concrete. The tradeoff is refinishing life: most engineered products can be sanded only once or twice, and engineered floors typically last 20 to 30 years. The hardwood flooring installation cost guide explains the solid-versus-engineered tradeoff in more depth.
What Drives Parquet Cost Up or Down
Species: oak is the common, mid-priced choice; walnut and exotic species cost more.
Pattern and piece size: smaller pieces and more complex patterns mean more labor per square foot.
Borders and inlays: a perimeter border or a medallion adds cutting and fitting time.
Prefinished vs. site-finished: prefinished pieces install faster; site-finished parquet is sanded, stained, and sealed after installation for a seamless surface.
Subfloor prep: parquet needs a flat, stable base; leveling typically adds $1 to $3 per square foot where needed.
Removal of the old floor: usually $1 to $3.50 per square foot.
Restoring an Existing Parquet Floor
Many older homes still have original parquet under carpet. Refinishing it is often far cheaper than a new floor: typical hardwood refinishing runs $3 to $8 per square foot, though parquet can sit at the higher end because the grain runs in different directions and has to be sanded carefully to avoid swirl marks. Loose or missing blocks can usually be reset or replaced first.
David Kelly walks through how sanding, stain, and finish work on a real project in our hardwood floor refinishing guide. In older homes, have any dark adhesive under loose blocks tested before it is sanded or scraped.
Parquet vs. Pattern Look-Alikes
Herringbone has become popular enough that laminate and luxury vinyl now come in herringbone formats. They cost less and handle moisture better, but they are printed images rather than real wood and cannot be refinished.
For how laminate stacks up against real wood on durability, cost, and resale, see the laminate vs. hardwood comparison.
Where Parquet Works Best
Entryways and hallways: a herringbone or chevron run makes a strong first impression in a small area, which keeps cost contained.
Dining and living rooms: larger rooms show off the pattern; plan budget for the extra labor.
Older homes: restoring or extending original parquet keeps the home’s character.
Not ideal: full bathrooms and other wet areas, where any wood floor is at risk.
How to Hire a Parquet Installer
Ask to see photos or addresses of parquet floors they have installed, in the pattern you want.
Ask how they set the layout lines and where the pattern will be centered in each room.
Confirm the waste allowance in the material order (about 15% for herringbone and chevron).
Ask whether pieces are glued, nailed, or floated, and what that requires of your subfloor.
Get at least three itemized quotes separating material, pattern labor, borders, prep, and finishing.
Final Thoughts
Parquet costs more than a plank floor mainly because of the labor and waste in the pattern, not the wood itself. Engineered parquet keeps the look affordable and works over concrete; solid parquet costs more but can be refinished for generations. Choose an installer who has laid your pattern before, and the floor will be the most memorable surface in the house. For every other flooring option, see the types of flooring guide.
Ready to price a parquet floor for your rooms? Home Upgrade Pros connects you with licensed local flooring contractors for free, no-obligation estimates, or call (877) 673-1844 to start.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does parquet flooring cost?
Installed parquet typically costs about $8 to $15 per square foot for engineered parquet or pre-assembled panels, and about $12 to $25 for solid wood parquet, depending on species, pattern, and region.
Is herringbone more expensive than regular hardwood?
Usually, yes. The material can cost about the same, but herringbone labor runs roughly 20% to 30% more than straight plank installation, and the pattern wastes more material, about 15% versus 10%.
What is the difference between herringbone and chevron?
Herringbone uses rectangular pieces laid so the end of one meets the side of the next in a staggered zigzag. Chevron pieces are cut at an angle so their ends meet in a continuous V, which usually makes chevron material more expensive.
Can parquet flooring be refinished?
Yes. Solid parquet can be sanded and refinished many times; engineered parquet usually once or twice. Typical refinishing runs $3 to $8 per square foot, with parquet often at the higher end because of its mixed grain direction.
Can parquet be installed over concrete?
Engineered parquet can be glued or floated over a properly prepared concrete slab. Solid parquet needs a wood subfloor and is not recommended over concrete or below grade.
