Como Flooring’s Parquet and Engineered Oak collections bring real oak into the home, from the handcrafted Craft 190 and Classique 190 Parquet ranges to the Numi 190 Engineered Oak collection. All three share 190mm wide, tongue-and-groove oak planks and 30-year warranties, so the floor you choose today still feels right for your family in years to come.
If you’re weighing up parquet flooring for a renovation or a new build, you’re probably wondering which pattern will suit your rooms, how engineered oak stacks up against other wood floors, and what it actually takes to look after it day to day. Here’s a practical, no-nonsense guide to help you choose with confidence.
What Is Parquet Flooring?
Parquet flooring traditionally means wood flooring laid in a pattern, most often herringbone or chevron, though many parquet ranges can just as easily be laid in a straight, regular run for a calmer look. The pattern option is part of why parquet works so well in both classic and contemporary interiors, offering movement and detail without needing a busy colour palette.
The best parquet floors balance that visual character with everyday practicality. The timber should feel genuine, the finish should suit how the room actually gets used, and the installation needs to be planned properly from day one. In a family home, that means thinking past the sample board and considering your entrance, your kitchen traffic, your pets, your kids, the natural light in the room, and how much maintenance you’re realistically going to keep up with.
A quick note on names: at Como, “Parquet” refers specifically to our Craft 190 and Classique 190 ranges, chosen for their handcrafted character, while our Numi 190 range carries the Engineered Oak name. The construction and installation principles covered in this guide apply to all three, so wherever you see “parquet” used in the general sense below, it covers Numi too.
Engineered Oak: The Construction Behind Every Como Wood Floor
Engineered oak flooring uses a real oak top layer bonded to a stable, multi-layer core, giving you the natural grain, tone and texture people love about oak with a format built to stay put once it’s installed correctly.
Every oak plank carries its own variation in colour, grain and character. That’s not a flaw; it’s the whole point of choosing real wood over something printed to look like it. Those small differences are what stop a floor from feeling repetitive, especially once you see the boards running across a larger living space.
Como’s Numi 190 Engineered Oak collection uses 190mm wide, 14/3mm planks with a tongue-and-groove profile and bevelled edges. It comes in five decors named after South African landmarks: Clifton, Knysna, Bakoven, Franschhoek and Constantia, each bringing its own mood, from light and relaxed to deep and grounded, while keeping that natural oak character front and centre.
Numi 190 carries a 30-year warranty along with CE, EN 14342 and UKCA certifications. None of that replaces good installation or sensible care, but it’s a reassuring thing to have behind you when you’re choosing a floor for a busy family home.
Herringbone, Chevron, Or A More Relaxed Layout?
Herringbone and chevron get mentioned in the same breath, but they’re not the same pattern. Herringbone uses rectangular boards laid at right angles to create a broken zigzag; it feels traditional, but pairs beautifully with calm walls, simple furniture and a bit of open space to look genuinely modern. Chevron uses boards cut at an angle so their ends meet in a continuous point, giving you a sharper, more directional V-shape with a tailored, deliberate look.
A straight-laid timber floor has a quieter rhythm and can make a room feel longer or more open. A parquet layout, on the other hand, draws the eye and can turn a passage, entrance hall or open-plan living area into something that feels properly designed rather than just floored.
One thing worth checking before you fall in love with a pattern: confirm the board format and approved installation method first. Not every long engineered oak plank is designed to be cut into herringbone or chevron. Ask your Como retailer or installer whether the range and decor you’ve chosen actually suits the layout you have in mind; it’s a quick question that can save you an expensive change of plan later.
Three Como Wood Flooring Collections To Explore
Numi 190 Engineered Oak
Numi 190 is a multi-layer engineered oak parquet collection with a 190mm plank width, 14/3mm thickness, bevelled edges and a tongue-and-groove profile. Its five decor names nod to some of South Africa’s most recognisable landscapes, making it a natural fit for homeowners who want real character without a floor that feels disconnected from the world outside their windows.
Backed by a 30-year warranty and suited to both residential and commercial use, it’s worth comparing the full set of decors and technical details on the Numi 190 Engineered Oak collection page.
Classique 190 Parquet
Classique 190 takes a lighter, more understated approach. Its light oak tone, brushed treatment and UV oil finish let the grain show through while still protecting the surface for everyday life. The 5G Valinge click system makes for a more straightforward installation once your site and subfloor are properly prepared.
Classique 190 comes with a 30-year warranty, plus FloorScore and PEFC certifications. It’s a good fit if you’re after a soft, versatile timber look that sits comfortably alongside linen, natural stone, painted cabinetry and warm neutral furnishings. Have a look at the Classique 190 Parquet range to see the full collection.
Craft 190 Parquet
Craft 190 is the more expressive choice, with hand-brushed texture, a Half Moon Scraped finish and a carbonised treatment that deepens the oak’s natural tones. Its Invisible Oil or Wax Oil finish protects the timber while letting all that character stay firmly part of the look.
With four decor options and a 30-year warranty, Craft 190 suits rooms where you want the floor to properly hold its own. Pair it with simpler furniture and fewer accessories so the grain and texture get the space they deserve. See the full Craft 190 Parquet collection for more.
How To Choose Parquet Flooring For Your Home
Start with the room, not the trend. A herringbone pattern might be exactly right for an entrance or dining area, while a calmer straight layout often works better across a large open-plan space. Think about how the floor will connect your rooms, especially if you want the whole home to feel visually continuous.
Then look at the light. A pale oak decor can lift a shaded room, while a richer tone adds depth to a space that already gets plenty of natural light. Always view samples in the actual room where they’ll be installed, because paint colours, window direction and artificial lighting can change a timber tone more than you’d expect.
Finally, think about the finish. Brushed timber highlights texture. UV oil gives you a protected, more refined surface. Invisible oil or wax oil keeps things looking natural and tactile. The finish shapes both how the floor looks and how you’ll need to care for it, so it’s worth asking exactly what your chosen product needs before you commit.
Practical Parquet Floor Care
Beautiful wood flooring doesn’t need an intimidating cleaning routine; it just needs gentle, consistent care.
- Sweep or vacuum regularly with a soft brush attachment to lift grit before it has a chance to scratch the finish.
- Wipe up spills as soon as you spot them rather than letting moisture sit on the floor.
- Use a slightly damp cloth or mop only when needed, and steer clear of excess water or standing moisture.
- Stick to a cleaner recommended for your specific Como finish, and avoid abrasive products, harsh chemicals, bleach, waxes and anything that hasn’t been approved for the floor.
- Put down proper entrance mats to cut down on sand and grit coming into the home, and keep mats and damp items from sitting wet on the timber.
- Add felt protectors to furniture legs and lift furniture when you move it rather than dragging it across the floor.
- Keep pet nails trimmed and deal with muddy paws or spilled water near bowls quickly.
- Manage strong direct sunlight with curtains or blinds, and shift rugs occasionally so the floor wears evenly.
Care can differ between an engineered oak floor with an oil or wax oil finish and other timber products, so always follow the installation, warranty and maintenance guidance supplied for your chosen range. Como’s Resources page has the product documents and technical information to help with that.
Installation Matters As Much As The Product
Even the best floor still depends on a suitable site and a skilled installer. Before work starts, your installer should check the subfloor, moisture levels, flatness, stability, temperature and how the room will actually be used. The floor also needs time to acclimatise and should go down exactly as the product documentation describes.
It can feel like an unnecessary delay when you’re keen to see the finished room, but this preparation is what keeps movement, gaps and other avoidable problems from showing up later. Ask for a written quote that clearly sets out preparation, installation, trims, transitions and aftercare.
Renovating in Cape Town, Gauteng, KZN, the Eastern Cape or anywhere else in South Africa? Speak to a Como retailer about the right product for your rooms and site conditions. A good retailer will walk you through the look, format, installation method, warranty and care requirements before you commit to anything.
Is Parquet Flooring A Good Choice For A Family Home?
For most families, a parquet or engineered oak floor strikes a genuinely useful balance between natural beauty, long-term value and everyday comfort. Done right, it makes a room feel warmer and more considered, and the right finish paired with a sensible care routine helps it cope with normal, busy household life.
The lowest price isn’t always the lowest-cost decision if the floor fades, develops faults or needs replacing sooner than you expected. A well-specified product, a proper installation and consistent care buy you real peace of mind, especially when you’re already juggling school runs, work, pets and everything else family life throws at you.
Como Flooring’s parquet collections are built for homeowners who want genuine oak character, straightforward product information and a floor they’ll still be proud of years down the line. Explore the Como Flooring range or speak to your nearest retailer to compare samples and find the right fit for your home.
