🌳 Herringbone parquet in Lisbon · 3 models available · Supply and installation · Min. order 10m²
Herringbone Parquet
Herringbone parquet (also called fishbone pattern) is one of the most noble and architectural parquet patterns. In Lisbon, we offer 3 herringbone parquet models with planks laid at 90°: in European solid oak and engineered oak, from classic to premium. Professional installation included as option.
Herringbone Parquet: the most noble architectural pattern
Herringbone parquet, known in French as "point de Hongrie" and in Portuguese as "espinha de peixe", is one of the most recognisable and elegant parquet patterns in architectural history. Each plank is cut at a right angle and laid in zig-zag, forming a continuous succession of perfect 90° "V"s. It's the pattern chosen in European palaces, luxury hotels and high-end apartments.
Em Lisboa, propomos 3 modelos de parquet herringbone: do clássico em carvalho europeu maciço (53€/m², ideal para uma instalação tradicional), ao multicamada Oslo Chevron 130 (65€/m², compatível com piso radiante e mais estável), até ao modelo premium em carvalho claro selecionado com acabamento óleo natural (120€/m²). Installation profissional incluída opcional.
Herringbone vs Chevron: what's the difference?
These two "V" patterns are often confused, but there are important technical differences:
Feature
Herringbone (Fishbone)
Chevron (Point de Hongrie)
Plank cut
Rectangular (90° cuts)
Trapezoidal (ends cut at 45° or 60°)
"V" appearance
Stepped, with offset
Perfect "V", continuous
Origin
England (16th century)
France (16th century)
Installation complexity
Simpler
More complex (precise cut)
Average price (material)
53-120€/m²
75-100€/m²
Both patterns offer the same visual effect of depth and elegance. Herringbone is traditionally more common in pre-Pombaline and Pombaline Lisbon apartments, while chevron is more associated with 18th-century French architecture.
Solid or engineered oak?
Solid oak herringbone parquet (53€/m² model) is a single plank of noble wood 14 to 20mm thick. Advantages: can be sanded 4 to 6 times, lifespan over 80 years, total authenticity. Limitations: must be glued (never floating), incompatible with underfloor heating in most cases.
Engineered herringbone parquet (65€ and 120€/m² models) has a 2.5 to 4mm noble oak wear layer glued onto a stable birch plywood base. Advantages: underfloor heating compatible, more stable to humidity variations, floating or glued installation possible. Can be sanded 2 to 3 times, lifespan 30-50 years.
How much does a herringbone parquet cost in Lisbon?
The total price of a herringbone parquet installed in Lisbon varies depending on the chosen model and the type of installation. Indicative table for a complete installation (supply + installation + finishes):
Solução completa
Material + Installation
Solid oak herringbone installed
95-130 €/m²
Engineered Oslo herringbone installed
105-145 €/m²
Premium light oak herringbone installed
180-230 €/m²
Sanding of existing herringbone parquet
25-40 €/m²
These prices are indicative for Lisbon apartments in normal condition. For a personalised quote, we organise a free site visit to your home.
Installation profissional de herringbone em Lisboa
Our craftsmen install herringbone parquet with the precision the pattern demands. Fishbone assembly requires experience (perfect alignment, precise cuts at edges) — we have 15 years installing this pattern in Lisbon. Free site visit, detailed quote within 24h.
Frequently asked questions about herringbone parquet
Herringbone uses rectangular planks laid at 90° (in stepped "V" with offset). Chevron uses planks with ends cut at 45° or 60° forming a perfect "V" without offset. Both have the same level of elegance — the choice is aesthetic. Chevron is rarer, more expensive to produce and more associated with French style.
Yes, it's a historically and aesthetically coherent choice. Many pre-Pombaline and Pombaline apartments in Chiado, Bairro Alto, Príncipe Real and Alfama had original herringbone parquet in oak or pine. To preserve authenticity, we recommend the solid oak model. We first assess the condition of the existing floor and the flatness of the substrate.
Only the engineered models (Oslo Chevron 130 at 65€/m² and Premium at 120€/m²) are compatible with underfloor heating. The solid oak model (53€/m²) is not recommended with underfloor heating due to its greater expansion. We always assess the type of prior installation before confirming compatibility.
Herringbone parquet installation is slower than continuous flooring due to the precision required in aligning the "V"s. For a 30 m² room, we estimate 5 to 7 working days of installation (vs 3-4 days for continuous flooring). Glue curing time before sanding: 7 additional days. Total: about 2 weeks for a high-end room.
Yes. Solid oak herringbone parquets present in many old Lisbon apartments can be sanded 4 to 6 times over their lifetime (thickness permitting). We first replace missing or detached planks, regularise joints with wood-coloured filler, and sand with orbital sander to preserve the flatness of the "V"s. Result: parquet with new appearance and restored shine.
Prices shown in the catalogue are ex-VAT. For renovation works in properties over 30 years old, the reduced VAT rate (6%) may apply — confirm with us at the time of the quote. For new construction or recent properties, the normal rate of 23% applies.
Yes. We provide free samples of all 3 herringbone models (5x10cm). For confirmed projects, we organise a site visit to your apartment where we bring samples of the various finishes (matt varnish, natural oil) so you can see in situ with the real lighting of the space.
