Reclaimed herringbone flooring
French herringbone flooring is close in size to chevron (Hungarian Point), with the striking difference being that the pieces are arranged at right angles to one another, rather than an angle such as 45°. This gives a rectangular geometrical aspect to the room that has been chosen by generations of discerning home owners and architects over many centuries. Whilst herringbone flooring is appropriate to French properties it has also been chosen for parquet floors in countries across Europe and further afield where European floor patterns were adopted too.
An early reference for French herringbone parquet is the floor of the King Francois 1st Italianate Gallery at the Chateau de Fontainebleau which is dated from the 1530s. Much later herringbone parquet continued to be a regular choice in 19th century Parisian « Haussmann » era mansions and apartments
French herringbone
Historically French herringbone parquet is generally made up of fairly slender pieces, as shown on the various references in this section. The parquet we reclaim was nailed down, not adhered using toxic bitumen as was common in eg post Industrial Revolution Great Britain.
However in other countries there may be different size preferences which to a certain extent we can adapt to. Bespoke sizes will always need to be quoted for as they may not correspond to the more typical sizes we have in stock. Please don’t hesitate to consult with us so we can assess feasibility and costs. Otherwise try to re-use on your projects the sizes indicated for rapidity of supply and economy.
Oak herringbone floor
The most requested timber is of course BCA’s TRULY RECLAIMED antique oak, although occasional orders of other timbers such as pine are possible. We also stock new « antiqued » solid oak herringbone flooring, chosen for projects where lower budgets are required and when thinner boards are preferred. Engineered parquet floor options are available too.
Truly reclaimed antique oak parquet has unique features hard (if not impossible) to replicate in new wood, and is frequently selected for classic historic projects, but also for contemporary interiors.
After all, our reclaimed parquet and floorboards, and more recently salvaged boarding derived from « wagon boards », are specifically chosen by home owners and professionals alike for entirely justified ecological reasons. Don’t cut down more trees when reclaimed blocks are available ! In addition it is well known that old wood is « slow growth », closer grained and denser than recent « fast growth » commercially forested trees. Appropriately installed and carefully maintained, reclaimed wood flooring can last for a few centuries more !
Geometric pattern floor
However that upper patina may or may not be what is sought after for the project, which means that some of our references are re-milled. after all, beautiful old wood has more character and natural colour variation than new so they are top choices for up-market projects. However when the original upper surface patina is to be retained, we generally include surface brushing to a lesser or greater degree.
We can also re-calibrate damaged or difficult to re-lay consignments, de-nailing then re-milling edges and tongues & grooves, calibrating the undersides to a regular thickness. Re-calibration such as this enables faster and easier installation, and permits a lower skill level for the installers. However this all carries a cost, logically making reclaimed parquet ready to re-lay higher priced than industrial mass-produced engineered wood flooring or synthetic bad copies of the real thing.
Mainly in oak and pine (but occasionally sourced in elm, walnut, chestnut etc), our reclaimed antique parquet can receive various finishes such as brushed, oiled, waxed or varnished (or nothing at all). Authentic parquet floors are highly appreciated across Europe and around the world for their authenticity and style, and enable homes owners, interior designers and architects to transform rooms with authenticity, patina and style.
