Parquetry isn't the flooring you'll find in most commercial buildings, and it's easy to see why — it's not the most affordable option. But it doesn't carry a higher price because of the material alone; it's the labour behind it. What you get in return is a visual impact your clients, visitors, or co-workers will notice, whether you're a business owner, a restaurant, or need retail parquet floor fitting. Parquetry is a mosaic-style installation of hardwood or engineered wood blocks in various patterns, and because the blocks can be made from different wood types, colours, and textures, it suits practically any commercial style or brief. Blocks made from real or engineered wood carry the character of natural timber and create a durable, long-lasting surface that's straightforward to maintain, refinish, and clean.

There are a few simple rules that make the difference between a successful parquet installation and a problematic one. Whether the blocks are cut from solid or engineered wood, the best method is fitting them directly to the subfloor with a quality wood adhesive. The subfloor — especially if it's concrete — needs to pass a moisture, cleanness, and evenness test first. Where the subfloor can't be made even or dry, or where there's underfloor heating, cabling, or pipework to work around, our team can talk through alternative installation approaches suited to your project. Commercial installations also come with their own scheduling pressures, and we design our process around your business's time and budget constraints rather than letting them compromise the result.

Fire safety and slip resistance for commercial floors

Commercial premises have compliance requirements that don't apply to a home installation, and they're worth knowing before you specify a floor.

Fire rating

Under UK Building Regulations (Approved Document B) and EN 13501-1, wood flooring is classed by how it reacts to fire. Standard, untreated engineered or solid wood typically achieves a Cfl-s1 rating. Where a higher class is required — commonly on escape routes, or in higher-risk building types — fire-retardant-treated boards can reach Bfl-s1. Which class you need depends on the building type, its height, and whether the floor sits on an escape route, so it's worth confirming with building control or your fire risk assessment before ordering material.

Slip resistance

Many local authorities require a minimum wet Pendulum Test Value (PTV) for commercial floors, particularly in hospitality and retail settings — a PTV of 36 or higher is a common threshold, though some authorities ask for more. This depends on the finish applied rather than the wood itself, so it's specified at the finishing stage rather than baked into the timber choice.

We can advise on both when scoping a commercial project, and source boards and finishes that meet the classification your building needs.

Parquet fitting for your type of business

We fit commercial parquet across several sectors, each with its own practical considerations:

Frequently asked questions

Can parquet fitting be scheduled outside business hours?
Yes — we work around your opening hours or planned closures wherever possible, so commercial fitting doesn't have to mean lost trading days.

Is parquet durable enough for high-traffic commercial spaces?
Yes, provided the finish and wear layer are matched to the traffic level. A hard-wearing lacquer finish is generally recommended for busy commercial floors over an oiled finish.

Do you fit parquet with underfloor heating already installed?
Yes — this is common in commercial refits. It affects which wood and adhesive combination is suitable, which we assess during the site visit.

How is commercial parquet different from residential parquet?
The wood and pattern options are the same. The main differences are scheduling around business operations and specifying a finish durable enough for higher foot traffic.

Get a free commercial parquet quote

Call 020 7036 0624 or request a free site visit to discuss your commercial project. You can also see examples of completed parquet installations or read more about our general parquet fitting process.

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