Parquet de Versailles for Upper East Side apartments and townhouses: its history, panel options, species and careful installation.
Planning a Versailles floor on the Upper East Side? Call Joe Avila at (908) 232-6600 or book a virtual consultation.
Few floors suit the Upper East Side like Parquet de Versailles. Its interlocking geometric panels sit naturally beside plaster moldings, paneled libraries and limestone townhouse halls. We install it in apartments and townhouses across the neighborhood, and our Upper East Side Versailles page covers the service area from 10021 to 10128.
A Pattern Made For A Palace
Parquet de Versailles was first crafted for the Palace of Versailles in the late 1600s, when King Louis XIV commissioned it, and it became an expression of French aristocratic style. Each panel is a square of interlocking wood blocks with a diagonal lattice inside a border, so the floor reads as a field of repeating squares. On the Upper East Side it suits grand entryways, living and dining rooms, primary suites and home offices or libraries. See the full range in our parquet collection.
Species And Finishes
We offer Versailles panels in premium hardwoods, including White Oak, Red Oak and American Walnut, with a wide range of finishes, stains and panel sizes. White oak gives the classic Parisian look; walnut brings a deeper, warmer tone to a paneled library. Low-VOC finishes are available for families who want cleaner indoor air. For a natural matte look, our finishing options include oils from WOCA and Rubio Monocoat. Color is always sampled on the actual floor before a choice is made.
Panel Size And Scale
Panel size should follow the room. In one private residence in New York City, we installed Parquet de Versailles in 36 by 36 inch panels of solid three-quarter-inch, clear rift and quartered white oak, a scale that keeps the pattern calm in a large living room. Our parquet models also include made-to-order tiles such as Model #1 in Palisander Santos Morado, offered at 540 by 540 and 666 by 666 millimeters, and the larger Model #2 and Model #3 panels.
Want help choosing a panel size for your rooms? Book a virtual consultation with Joe Avila.
How Versailles Panels Are Installed
Parquet is unforgiving of a poor layout, so every panel is laid with precision for seamless transitions and true symmetry. Our parquet installation guide follows NWFA practice: the room is squared from its center with chalk lines, panels are set in the manufacturer’s approved adhesive, and a minimum half-inch expansion space is left around the perimeter. Solid parquet can go above or on grade but is not recommended below grade, and it cannot go directly over solid board subfloors without added underlayment.
Borders, Inlays And Custom Floors
A Versailles field often looks best framed. A border in a contrasting species, or a metallic inlay at a doorway, can tie the floor to the room’s architecture. Our patterns and borders work covers both, and our guide to creating a custom floor explains how a design moves from sample to installation. Versailles also pairs well with herringbone in adjoining halls.
Ready to design your Versailles floor? Speak with Joe Avila.
Quick Answers
What is Parquet de Versailles?
A pattern of interlocking wood blocks in square panels, first made for the Palace of Versailles in the late 1600s.
Which species can I choose?
Premium hardwoods including White Oak, Red Oak and American Walnut, with many finishes, stains and panel sizes.
Can Versailles parquet go in a basement?
Solid parquet can be installed above or on grade but is not recommended below grade.
How soon can I walk on new parquet?
Allow a minimum of 24 hours after installation before walking on the floor or moving furniture.
Begin Your Versailles Floor With Joe Avila
Call (908) 232-6600, email joe@hugginsflooring.com, or book a virtual consultation. Explore herringbone, chevron, wide plank and parquet floors, or our sanding and refinishing and NWFA inspection services.
About The Author
Joe Avila is the founder of Huggins Wood Floor Specialist and leads New York City Wood Floors, a Huggins Wood Floor Specialist brand. He brings 26 years in wood flooring, is NWFA certified (CSI, CI, CWFI, CFS), and teaches AIA, IDCEC and ASID continuing-education courses. See his certifications.
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Contact New York City Wood Floors
Email: joe@hugginsflooring.com
Phone Number: 908-232-6600
Address: 406B West Broad Street, Westfield, NJ, 07090
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