Oak Parquet and Engineered Oak Flooring: Grades, Finishes and Prices

Oak is the most popular parquet species in the Openini catalogue: almost 9 out of 10 engineered boards we sell are oak. The reasons are simple – oak is hard, stable, ages well and suits almost any interior. This article explains how oak floors differ from each other and what to look at when choosing.

Why oak

• Hardness. Oak has a Brinell hardness of about 3.7 kg/mm², higher than birch or pine, so it resists furniture legs and heels better.
• Stability. Oak reacts less to humidity changes than beech or maple, which is why many producers approve it for underfloor heating (see Wooden floors and underfloor heating).
• Colour range. Natural oak is light brown, but thanks to its tannins it takes whitening, smoking and tinting well – from almost white to dark brown shades without paint.
• Supply. Oak grows in Europe, so the range of oak flooring is the widest and lead times are usually shorter than for exotic species.

Solid oak parquet or engineered oak flooring?

Solid oak parquet is a single piece of wood. Engineered flooring has 2 or 3 layers: an oak wear layer on top and spruce, birch plywood or HDF underneath. The thickness of the oak layer varies a lot between collections – from 0.6 mm to 4 mm – so check it in each product description: it decides whether the floor can be sanded in the future.

For most homes engineered oak is the more practical choice: it is more stable than solid wood, most collections are approved for underfloor heating, and the installation method depends on the joint type (see below). All oak models in the Openini catalogue are engineered.

More on constructions: Four steps to choosing engineered flooring.

Grading: how many knots and colour variations

The same oak board can cost €60 or €120/m² – the difference is often the grade, not the quality. Producers sort wood by the number and size of knots and by colour uniformity. In general terms there are three groups:

• Select – almost knot-free, uniform colour. A calm, clean look, usually the most expensive group.
• Natural – small knots and slight colour variation. The most common choice.
• Rustic – large knots, filled cracks, strong colour contrast. The most character, often at a lower price.

Each producer has its own grade names and tolerances – BOEN, for example, uses Andante / Animoso / Vivo. Compare grades by the producer’s own description rather than by the name. More: Grading of engineered flooring.

Finish: lacquer or oil

Lacquered and oiled oak models are represented in roughly equal numbers in our catalogue.

• Lacquer – a closed, resistant film. Daily care is simple, but scratches are visible, and how a repair is done depends on the size of the damage and the type of lacquer.
• Oil – soaks into the wood and brings out its natural grain. Damage can usually be repaired locally, but the surface needs periodic refreshing with care products. How often depends on the intensity of use and the condition of the surface – use the cleaning and maintenance products recommended by the producer.

Both finishes work well on oak; whitened and smoked shades are usually oiled. Comparison: Lacquer or oil; care: Parquet floor care.

Pattern: plank, herringbone, chevron

• Single-strip plank – the largest group. Widths from 138 to 209 mm and more; the wider the plank, the more visible the oak grain and the more spacious the room looks.
• Three-strip plank – the classic “ship deck” pattern, often the least expensive oak option.
• Herringbone – the second largest group. Some collections have a click joint, others tongue-and-groove; this determines the installation method.
• Chevron (French herringbone) – boards cut at an angle, laid without connecting pieces.

The difference between herringbone and chevron is explained in Herringbone parquet: English or French.

The installation method depends on the joint

• Click (locking) joint – boards can be floated on an underlay; many producers also allow gluing down.
• Tongue-and-groove – usually glued to the subfloor; some collections also allow floating installation with glued joints.

Each collection’s installation guide lists the permitted methods – follow it. On choosing between glue-down and underlay: Installing engineered flooring: glue or underlay.

How much does oak flooring cost

Prices in the Openini catalogue on 23 October 2026 (incl. VAT, excl. installation; 463 oak models in the catalogue):

The price is driven mainly by grade, plank width and length, pattern (herringbone usually costs more than plank), wear-layer thickness and finish. The least expensive are three-strip and narrower planks from stock; the most expensive are wide, long Chalet-format planks with hand-worked finishes. Installation costs: How much does parquet cost in Vilnius.

How to choose: a short plan

1. Decide on the pattern – plank or herringbone. It defines both the price and the installation method.
2. Choose the grade for the look you want: calm – select, lively – rustic.
3. Lacquer or oil – depending on how much attention you will give to maintenance.
4. Check the wear-layer thickness if you plan to sand the floor in the future.
5. For underfloor heating, choose only flooring approved by the producer and follow that product’s installation and use requirements.
6. Order 2–3 samples and look at them in your room in daylight – oak shades differ on a screen and in a showroom.

All oak models with filters by pattern, finish and shade: Oak parquet and engineered flooring. Samples – at the Openini showroom in Vilnius, T. Ševčenkos g. 19.

Frequently asked questions

Is oak flooring suitable for underfloor heating?

Many engineered oak collections are approved for water underfloor heating, but each producer specifies this individually. Besides the flooring itself, subfloor moisture, the heating start-up procedure and the indoor climate matter – follow the installation guide for the specific product. Solid oak is generally not recommended over underfloor heating.

What is the difference between oak parquet and engineered oak flooring?

“Parquet” can mean both solid and engineered flooring; engineered flooring is always a layered construction with an oak top layer. You cannot tell them apart by looking, but engineered flooring is more stable and more often approved for underfloor heating.

Can engineered oak be sanded?

Whether a floor can be sanded depends on the specific product and the remaining thickness of the wood layer: a thin 0.6 mm layer cannot be sanded, a thicker one can be sanded once or several times. Before renovating, the floor’s condition and the producer’s recommendations must be assessed.

Does oak darken over time?

Yes, natural and oiled oak darkens slightly and warms in tone during the first year under light. Whitened and UV-lacquered floors change less.

How much does oak flooring cost with installation?

As a guide: engineered oak from €28/m², floating installation from €12/m², glue-down costs more; underlay or adhesive and skirting are extra. We prepare an exact quote within 24 hours, after assessing the subfloor where needed.