Antique tumbled herringbone in brown oak with walnut inlay
A herringbone installation over underfloor heating, featuring a black American walnut inlay and triple border. Subfloor preparation proved more demanding than expected, but the finished floor delivers vintage character with modern performance.
Quick facts
Flooring: Antique tumbled herringbone parquet
Material: Solid oak (tumbled)
Design details: Triple border + black American walnut inlay
Finish: Antique brown oak tone
Subfloor: 80mm concrete with underfloor heating
Project overview
What began as a straightforward installation became a lesson in subfloor preparation. After uncovering uneven concrete beneath the surface, we levelled the base square metre by square metre before fitting the parquet. The result: a stable, well-bonded floor with a rich brown oak finish and a striking walnut inlay.
At a glance
Identified and resolved subfloor issues not visible during initial survey.
Levelled concrete base using precision grinding to ensure full bond.
Installed antique tumbled herringbone over underfloor heating.
Added a black American walnut inlay with triple border edging.
Finished in antique brown oak for a vintage, tonal look.
What the client wanted
A parquet floor with visible character and grain variation.
A premium border detail to frame the herringbone pattern.
Compatibility with underfloor heating.
A warm, vintage tone that would suit the property.
Our solution
This project required more preparation than anticipated, but the groundwork paid off. We delivered a floor that’s fully bonded, stable over underfloor heating, and finished with a design that sets it apart.
Challenges on site and how we handled them
Hidden subfloor defects
The initial survey suggested the concrete was suitable, but once we began fitting, humps and bumps became apparent. We paused installation and ground the concrete level, one square metre at a time, to ensure proper adhesion.
Bonding over underfloor heating
With an 80mm concrete base and underfloor heating beneath, full contact between parquet and subfloor was essential. Levelling the base allowed us to achieve maximum bond strength, critical for handling heat fluctuations without movement or gaps.
Coordinating colour with inlay
The antique brown oak tone interacts with the black American walnut inlay, darkening it further and increasing contrast. We worked through colour options with the client before sanding to ensure the final effect matched their expectations.
Materials, layout and finish
Parquet: Antique tumbled solid oak herringbone
Inlay: Black American walnut strip (4–6mm), glued and pinned
Border: Triple stack bond edging around perimeter
Installation: Full glue-down over 80mm concrete with underfloor heating
Finish: Antique brown oak tone
The finished result
The completed floor combines vintage character with a refined design. The antique brown oak finish brings out the natural variation in the tumbled oak, while the walnut inlay adds contrast and frames the herringbone pattern. Despite the unexpected subfloor work, the final result is a stable, well-bonded floor built to perform over underfloor heating.
Antique Parquet Flooring – Brown Oak Tone Photo Gallery
Services used on this project
Antique tumbled parquet supply and fitting
Subfloor levelling and preparation
Walnut inlay installation
Borders and layout design
Floor sanding and colour finishing
FAQs about this brown oak parquet project
Want a herringbone floor with inlay and border detail?
If you’re looking for a parquet floor with character and a premium finish, we can guide you through layout, inlay options, and colour choices. We supply and fit throughout Dublin and Leinster.
