Aged Custom Copper Oak Herringbone Parquet Installation, Harrow on the Hill HA3

#CraftedForLife

A Heritage Home Enhanced with Timeless Craftsmanship

This substantial 1930s home, full of character and original features, was the setting for a thoughtfully planned renovation. The client, who was highly knowledgeable and meticulous in their research, chose Fin Wood for our trusted reputation and commitment to craftsmanship.The client’s passion for preserving the property’s heritage was evident throughout, and the end result is a seamless blend of traditional elegance and contemporary refinement. Over the years, we’ve worked extensively with a wide range of finishes, refining our knowledge of how best to highlight and enhance the natural beauty of wood grain. This depth of expertise enables us to craft timber floors that not only elevate a space but can be genuinely enjoyed and appreciated for generations.

Laying Strong Foundations

We began by removing the old, worn carpet and lifting the original floorboards to access the subfloor. During this process, we uncovered some intriguing finds, including old coins with   Queen Victoria and a pair of vintage scissors – a small glimpse into the property’s past. We continued to prepare the subfloor with great care, installing galvanised wire mesh to support thermal insulation while maintaining structural integrity.

We selected high-quality, breathable materials such as mineral wool to ensure long-term performance and a healthy floor system. The air bricks were thoroughly checked and cleaned to allow proper airflow beneath the insulation.The subfloor was then rebuilt using premium hardwood plywood, creating a solid and stable base for the new herringbone parquet. Precise measurements were taken to ensure a harmonious layout, starting from the entrance and continuing seamlessly across the entire ground floor.

Respecting Heritage with Precision Detailing

To accommodate the slightly lower level of the original fireplace tiles, we carefully inclined the surrounding frame, ensuring a seamless integration with the new flooring. The customer was delighted with this attention to design detail and shared his supportive comments in a 5* star Google review - “Alin’s team worked incredibly quickly and professionally and the end result is stunning. Particularly impressive is the chamfered parquet block border around the fireplaces.”

In keeping with the customer’s preference for an uninterrupted visual flow, the herringbone parquet was laid edge to edge, without a border, enhancing the sense of space and design continuity. Preserving the property’s character was a clear priority.

To retain the original skirting boards and treasured vintage wallpaper, we avoided undercutting. Instead, we installed a slim MDF overlay, discreetly fixed to the skirting boards to conceal the expansion gap – a thoughtful solution that respects the home’s heritage while meeting the technical demands of the installation.

Crafted Colour, Lasting Protection

For this project, we installed an aged herringbone oak parquet in a 70mm x 280mm format with a 15mm thickness, finished in Copper – a custom colour tone from our new Studio Collection. Each oak parquet block was meticulously hand-finished in our workshop using the bespoke Copper tone from Fin Wood’s new Studio Collection, which celebrates the natural beauty of wood through a carefully curated palette of colours. Each finish is rich in earthy tones, offering subtle depth and detail that reveal themselves more fully the longer you admire the surface. The customers loved their chosen copper colour and shared generous comments in a 5* review - “The colour and finish is even better than we imagined and we are delighted with the work that has been done.”

Every finish is meticulously hand-applied, slowly dried, and naturally cured to achieve a resilient, long-lasting surface. This artisanal approach delivers a quality and depth of finish that factory-applied, UV-cured processes simply cannot match. The Studio Collection is available in a variety of formats, making it adaptable to a wide range of design styles and project requirements. Our understanding of how timber flooring is used in modern homes has shaped our approach to finishing. We know that enhanced protection is essential in everyday settings, which is why we use hard wax oils, applied by hand. This method not only offers superior durability but also preserves the natural character and tactile elegance of the wood.

The customer visited our showroom to explore the full range of finishes and confidently selected a Studio Collection colour that beautifully complemented their home’s character. They were delighted with the final result and generously shared their satisfaction in a glowing 5-star review.

“Absolutely love the parquet flooring we’ve had installed in two rooms and a hallway.

Alin was extremely helpful throughout the process - always on hand to discuss the project and any questions we had. Was also great to be able to visit the Fin Wood show room and see the various different flooring options available, where Alin was a great guide in helping us figure out precisely what style and colour we wanted. In all things wood, Alin is extremely passionate and knowledgeable, and this was one of the major factors that made happy I had chosen Fin Wood.

Alin’s team worked incredibly quickly and professionally and the end result is stunning. Particularly impressive is the chamfered parquet block border around the fireplaces, and the precision with which they have dealt with the transitions to the rooms where they weren’t installing parquet.

The colour and finish is even better than we imagined and we are delighted with the work that has been done.”

Location: Harrow on the Hill, HA3