14mm Herringbone Flooring: AB Grade - Imperial Engineered Oak™. Colours, Features & Australian Buying Guide
Herringbone flooring is more than a flooring pattern — it is a design feature that can completely transform the character of an interior.
14mm Imperial Engineered Oak™ Herringbone Flooring – AB Grade combines the timeless geometry of traditional European parquetry with the performance of modern engineered timber construction. Featuring a 3mm genuine European Oak wear layer, premium AB Grade timber and a multi-layer hardwood plywood core, the collection is designed for refined Australian residential and commercial interiors.
With eight carefully selected colours ranging from soft contemporary tones to warmer natural oak shades, the collection provides a sophisticated flooring option for architectural homes, luxury renovations, apartments and premium building projects.
What Is 14mm Imperial Engineered Oak™ Herringbone Flooring?
14mm Imperial Engineered Oak™ Herringbone Flooring is a premium engineered timber parquetry flooring featuring a 3mm genuine European Oak wear layer bonded to a high-performance multi-layer hardwood plywood core.
Each herringbone board measures 600mm × 120mm, creating the distinctive geometric pattern associated with traditional European parquetry.
Unlike solid timber flooring, the engineered multi-layer construction is designed to provide excellent dimensional stability while helping minimise expansion and contraction compared with solid timber.
The result is genuine European Oak combined with a construction designed for Australian climatic conditions.
AB Grade European Oak – A More Refined Timber Selection
One of the defining characteristics of this collection is the AB Grade European Oak.
AB Grade is selected for a cleaner and more refined timber appearance, making it particularly suited to interiors where the flooring needs to feel sophisticated, consistent and architectural while still retaining the natural character of genuine Oak.
The result is a premium timber surface with natural grain movement and tonal variation without the more pronounced character associated with lower timber grades.
This makes AB Grade herringbone flooring an excellent choice for:
Luxury residential interiors
Architectural new builds
Premium renovations
Contemporary homes
Apartments
Designer interiors
High-end commercial spaces
A Light Wire-Brushed, Super-Matt Finish
The 14mm Herringbone collection features a light wire-brushed UV-cured lacquer matte finish.
The wire-brushed surface enhances the natural texture and grain of the European Oak, while the super-matt appearance creates a sophisticated, low-sheen aesthetic.
The finish is designed to enhance:
Natural timber texture
Scratch resistance
Wear performance
Ease of maintenance
The authentic appearance of European Oak
The result is a floor that feels natural and understated rather than overly glossy.
Why Herringbone Flooring Creates Such a Strong Design Statement
Unlike traditional straight-laid timber flooring, herringbone introduces a geometric pattern across the floor.
The boards are installed in a repeating zig-zag arrangement, creating movement and visual depth throughout the room.
This makes herringbone particularly effective in:
Entryways
Open-plan living areas
Dining rooms
Kitchens
Hallways
Bedrooms
Large architectural spaces
The pattern can also help define different zones within an open-plan interior without the need for physical walls or changes in flooring material.
14mm Imperial Engineered Oak™ Herringbone Colours
The collection features eight European Oak colours, each designed to create a different interior aesthetic.
Signature Oak
A refined natural oak tone with a timeless appearance. Signature Oak provides a balanced foundation for contemporary, coastal and architectural interiors.
Nordic Oak
A softer, lighter oak tone designed for bright and contemporary interiors. Nordic Oak works particularly well with minimalist, Scandinavian and coastal-inspired spaces.
Whisper
A subtle and sophisticated oak colour with a softer appearance. Whisper creates a calm foundation that allows furniture, cabinetry and architectural details to remain prominent.
Maison
A warmer oak tone with an elegant and timeless character. Maison works beautifully with warm neutral palettes, natural materials and traditional or contemporary interiors.
Natural
A classic natural oak appearance that allows the genuine timber character to remain the focus. Natural is a versatile choice for a wide range of Australian interiors.
Driftwood
A relaxed oak tone inspired by weathered natural timber. Driftwood works particularly well with coastal, contemporary and natural-material interiors.
Soho
A sophisticated contemporary oak colour suited to modern architectural interiors. Soho creates a more refined and considered flooring aesthetic.
Barley
A warm and inviting oak tone that works beautifully with neutral walls, natural timber joinery and warm interior materials.
14mm Herringbone Flooring Specifications
Specification | Details |
Brand | Imperial Engineered Oak™ |
Timber Species | European Oak |
Grade | AB Grade |
Construction | Multi-Layer Hardwood Plywood Core |
Board Dimensions | 600mm × 120mm |
Thickness | 14mm |
Genuine Oak Wear Layer | 3mm |
Surface Finish | Light Wire Brushed UV Lacquer Matte |
Joining System | Tongue & Groove |
Edging | 4-Sided Micro-Bevel |
Installation | Direct Glue Down Only |
Pack Size | 16 Boards / 1.152m² / 11kg |
Slip Test Rating | P4 |
VOC Rating | E1 |
Fire Classification | CHF 3.1 kW/m² / Smoke 45 %.min |
Warranty | Residential: 20 Years |
Commercial Warranty | On Request |
These specifications are taken from the current Imperial Flooring Australia® architectural specification for the collection.
Why Choose 14mm AB Grade Herringbone Flooring?
Genuine European Oak
The flooring features a 3mm genuine European Oak wear layer, providing the authentic appearance, texture and character of real timber.
Premium AB Grade
AB Grade provides a cleaner, more refined timber appearance suited to premium architectural and residential interiors.
Engineered for Stability
The multi-layer hardwood plywood construction is designed to provide dimensional stability and help minimise expansion and contraction compared with solid timber flooring.
Timeless Herringbone Pattern
Herringbone has remained a classic flooring design for generations. Its geometric pattern brings architectural detail and visual movement to contemporary interiors while retaining a timeless appearance.
Light Wire-Brushed Finish
The subtle brushed texture highlights the natural grain of the European Oak without creating an overly rustic appearance.
Super-Matt Appearance
The matte UV-cured lacquer provides a refined, low-sheen finish that complements modern interior design.
Long-Term Serviceability
The 3mm Oak wear layer can be lightly sanded and recoated during its lifetime, subject to professional assessment and the condition of the flooring.
Herringbone Flooring Is Direct Glue Down Only
One of the most important differences between standard engineered timber flooring and parquetry flooring is the installation method.
14mm Imperial Engineered Oak™ Herringbone Flooring must be installed using the direct stick / full glue-down method.
A floating floor installation is not applicable to this herringbone pattern.
The direct-stick installation method provides the stability required for the precise herringbone pattern and is also preferred in areas where fixed cabinetry or heavy joinery will be installed.
Direct Glue-Down Installation
The installation guide requires:
Approved timber flooring adhesive
Correctly prepared subfloor
Maximum 3mm deviation over 3 metres
Approved moisture barrier on concrete substrates
Minimum 8mm perimeter expansion gap
Accurate centre-line and pattern layout
Continuous adhesive coverage
Correct alignment throughout installation
Because herringbone requires precise pattern control, professional installation is strongly recommended.
Can Herringbone Flooring Be Installed Over Concrete?
Yes — provided the concrete substrate is correctly prepared.
The technical installation guide specifies that concrete substrates must be fully cured for new builds and sealed with an approved moisture barrier system.
The subfloor must also be:
Structurally sound
Clean
Dry
Level
Within the required 3mm over 3 metres flatness tolerance
The flooring must also be appropriately acclimatised within the installation area before installation.
For professional installations, the correct subfloor preparation is just as important as the flooring itself.
Herringbone Flooring & Fixed Cabinetry
One of the advantages of a direct glue-down herringbone installation is that heavy cabinetry, kitchen islands and fixed joinery may be installed over the flooring.
This is different from floating flooring systems, where heavy fixed items should not be installed over the floating floor.
The direct-stick system provides a stable foundation for kitchens, built-in cabinetry and other fixed joinery.
Is 14mm Herringbone Suitable for Underfloor Heating?
Yes, but there are important requirements.
The Imperial Flooring Australia® installation specification states that the flooring is compatible with:
In-slab hydronic radiant heating systems only.
It must be installed using the direct stick / full glue-down method.
The guide specifies:
Hydronic in-slab heating only
Direct glue-down installation only
Maximum floor surface temperature of 26°C
Heating system commissioned gradually
Controlled increases and decreases in temperature
Electric underfloor heating systems are not approved
Certified Quality & Indoor Air Quality
Quality flooring is about more than appearance.
14mm Imperial Engineered Oak™ Herringbone Flooring is:
FSC® Certified
Manufactured using responsibly sourced timber from sustainably managed forests.
FloorScore® Certified
Independently tested for indoor air quality and certified for low VOC emissions.
E1 Low VOC Emissions
The flooring carries an E1 VOC rating, supporting its suitability for residential and commercial interiors where indoor air quality is an important consideration.
These certifications are included in the architectural specification for the collection.
14mm Herringbone Flooring for Australian Homes & Architectural Projects
The combination of premium AB Grade European Oak, engineered construction and traditional parquetry design makes this collection suitable for a wide range of projects.
Ideal applications include:
New home builds
Architectural homes
Luxury renovations
Duplexes and townhouses
Premium apartments
Living areas
Dining rooms
Kitchens
Bedrooms
Hallways
Commercial interiors
Herringbone works particularly well when the flooring is intended to become an important part of the overall architectural design rather than simply a background surface.
Matching Straight Boards, Stair Nosings & Accessories
For projects requiring a coordinated timber finish, matching accessories are available.
The 14mm Herringbone collection can be paired with matching long-plank engineered Oak flooring, as well as colour-matched stair nosings and trims.
This allows designers and homeowners to carry the same timber colour and finish through:
Main flooring
Herringbone feature areas
Staircases
Transitions
Other architectural details
The current collection lists matching long-plank flooring and stair nosing options.
14mm Imperial Engineered Oak™ Herringbone Colours & SKU Numbers
The current architectural specification lists the following colours and SKUs:
Colour | SKU |
Signature Oak | IFA-4009-SOK |
Nordic Oak | IFA-4010-NOK |
Whisper | IFA-4011-WSR |
Maison | IFA-4012-MSN |
Natural | IFA-4013-NTL |
Driftwood | IFA-4014-DWD |
Soho | IFA-4015-SOH |
Barley | IFA-4016-BLY |
How to Choose the Right Herringbone Colour
When selecting a herringbone floor, consider the entire interior rather than choosing the timber colour in isolation.
For light and contemporary interiors
Nordic Oak and Whisper provide softer options that work well with light walls, natural stone and minimalist interiors.
For a classic European Oak appearance
Signature Oak and Natural provide timeless options that allow the genuine timber character to remain central to the design.
For warmer interiors
Maison and Barley complement warm neutral colours, timber cabinetry and natural materials.
For contemporary architectural interiors
Soho and Driftwood offer more distinctive options for modern spaces.
As with all genuine timber flooring, colour can appear different depending on natural light, artificial lighting, surrounding materials and furniture.
We recommend ordering samples before making your final selection.
Order Free Samples of 14mm Herringbone Flooring
Choosing a timber floor is a significant decision, particularly when selecting a parquetry pattern.
Imperial Flooring Australia® offers free flooring samples, allowing you to compare the actual timber colours, grain and finish before ordering.
We recommend viewing samples:
During daylight
Under artificial lighting
Against your cabinetry
Beside your flooring materials
Alongside your wall colours
With your stone and joinery selections
This gives you a much more accurate representation of how the flooring will look within your project.
Shop 14mm Imperial Engineered Oak™ Herringbone Flooring
14mm Imperial Engineered Oak™ Herringbone Flooring – AB Grade brings together genuine European Oak, premium engineered construction and the timeless appeal of parquetry.
With a 3mm genuine Oak wear layer, AB Grade European Oak, 600 × 120mm herringbone boards, light wire-brushed matte finish and eight carefully selected colours, it is designed for Australian interiors where flooring is an important part of the overall architectural design.
Whether you are creating a contemporary new home, renovating a period property or designing a premium architectural interior, herringbone flooring provides a distinctive foundation with timeless appeal.
Explore the collection, compare the colours and order your free samples before making your decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 14mm Imperial Engineered Oak™ Herringbone Flooring?
It is a premium engineered parquetry flooring product featuring a 3mm genuine European Oak wear layer, AB Grade timber and a multi-layer hardwood plywood core.
What size are the herringbone boards?
Each board measures 600mm × 120mm × 14mm, with a 3mm genuine European Oak top layer.
What is AB Grade Herringbone Flooring?
AB Grade is a premium European Oak selection offering a cleaner, more refined timber appearance while retaining the natural character of genuine Oak.
Can 14mm Herringbone be floated?
No. The 14mm Herringbone collection is designed for direct glue-down installation only.
Can herringbone flooring be installed over concrete?
Yes, provided the concrete substrate is fully cured, correctly prepared, within the required flatness tolerance and treated with an approved moisture barrier system where required.
Can I install kitchen cabinets over the herringbone flooring?
Yes. Because the herringbone flooring is installed using the direct-stick method, heavy cabinetry, kitchen islands and fixed joinery may be installed over the flooring.
Is it suitable for underfloor heating?
It is compatible with in-slab hydronic radiant heating systems only, installed using direct glue-down. The maximum floor surface temperature must not exceed 26°C. Electric underfloor heating is not approved.
What warranty does it have?
The flooring has a 20-year residential warranty. Commercial warranty is available on request.
Is 14mm Herringbone Flooring FSC® and FloorScore® Certified?
Yes. The architectural specification states that the flooring is FSC® Certified and FloorScore® Certified, with E1 low VOC emissions.
Can the 3mm Oak wear layer be sanded?
The technical specification states that the 3mm wear layer can be lightly sanded and recoated during its lifetime, subject to the condition of the flooring and professional assessment.
How many colours are available?
There are currently eight colours: Signature Oak, Nordic Oak, Whisper, Maison, Natural, Driftwood, Soho and Barley.
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