After a decade of plain planks and cool gray tones, decorative wood floors are back, and designers are leading with one word: pattern. Herringbone, chevron, and true Versailles panels are showing up in renovations everywhere, paired with the warmer, richer wood tones that are pushing gray out of style.
For homeowners in a town literally named North Versailles, the timing is almost too good. Many homes here were built when craftsmanship in flooring was the norm, which means a patterned floor reads as a nod to the past rather than a trend bolted onto a new build.
What "Versailles Parquet" Actually Means
People use "parquet" loosely, but the three patterns you will hear about are distinct. A true Versailles panel is a square framework of interwoven diagonal slats bordered by straight rails, originally designed for the Palace of Versailles. Herringbone uses rectangular planks set at a 90-degree angle in a staggered zigzag, while chevron cuts the plank ends on a miter so the points meet in a clean, continuous V.
The pattern you choose changes the feel of the room. Versailles panels suit larger, formal spaces where the full geometry can breathe, herringbone adds movement to hallways and mid-size rooms, and chevron gives a sharper, more modern line. At Kacey's Carpet & Flooring, we walk you through samples in your actual lighting so the pattern matches the room, not just the photo you saved.
Why It Works in Older Mon Valley Homes
Older homes in this area tend to have solid wood subfloors, plaster walls, and architectural detail that newer construction skips. Patterned wood draws on that same language, so it settles in instead of fighting the house. Warm mid-oak, chocolate brown, and softer red tones are the finishes trending now, and they flatter the trim and built-ins you already have.
There is a resale angle too. A patterned floor signals quality and intention to buyers, which matters in a market full of quick flips with identical gray planks. Done well, parquet becomes the detail people remember about the house.
Getting the Subfloor and Wood Right
Pattern work is unforgiving, so prep decides everything. Before a single piece goes down, the substrate has to be flat, dry, and sound. A few non-negotiables:
Flatness within about 1/8 inch over a 6 to 10 foot span, with high spots ground down and low spots filled.
A moisture test on the subfloor, especially over a basement or crawl space, before any wood is laid.
A clean, structurally solid base of plywood, OSB, or properly prepped concrete.
Wood choice matters just as much. Engineered hardwood resists seasonal expansion better than solid wood, which is worth considering given our humidity swings, and every board should acclimate in the room for several days before installation. Skip the prep and even the most beautiful pattern will telegraph gaps and lippage within a season.
If you are weighing a patterned floor for your home, the best next step is to see and feel the options in person. Kacey's Carpet & Flooring has been family-owned and operated for over 32 years, and our showroom staff and in-house installers can walk you from pattern selection through a finished floor.
We proudly serve North Versailles, PA, Mckeesport, PA, Level Green, PA, and Penn Hills, PA. Stop by North Versailles, PA to compare samples, or contact us today to schedule a free in-home estimate and bring the Versailles look home where it belongs.
