Design Parquet exotic wood flooring: teak, merbau, ipe and more
Openini's range now includes exotic wood flooring by the French manufacturer Design Parquet (Brittany, France): teak, merbau, ipe, cumaru, padouk, wenge and jatoba, as well as American walnut and thermally modified ash. The choice of such flooring in Lithuania is small – it suits those who value a distinctive natural colour and durability.
What sets exotic wood apart
- Density and durability. Merbau, ipe, padouk, wenge and jatoba are dense woods; the manufacturer also recommends them for high-traffic areas. Solid merbau and ipe have the highest use class – 34.
- Natural colour. Red, deep brown or almost black tones are the colour of the wood itself, not a stain.
- Moisture. Teak is naturally rot-resistant, so the manufacturer also offers it for humid rooms. Wooden floors in bathrooms are covered in a separate article, “Parquet in the bathroom”.
- The colour changes. UV light changes the colour of parquet – usually it darkens, and exotic wood changes more than oak. After a few weeks the colour settles and stops changing. You can see it, for example, by lifting a rug.
Species, formats and prices
| Wood | Origin | Use class* | Format | Construction | Bevel | Finish | Price incl. VAT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teak | South-East Asia (plantations) | 23 | 14×90, 14×120 mm | solid | 4-sided / no bevel | unfinished | from €139/m² |
| Merbau | South-East Asia | 34 | 14×90 mm | solid | 4-sided | unfinished | from €90/m² |
| Ipe | South America | 34 | 14×90 mm | solid | 4-sided | unfinished | from €116/m² |
| Cumaru | South America | — | 15×120 mm | solid | 4-sided | satin varnish | from €146/m² |
| Padouk | Equatorial Africa | 31 | 12×90 mm | 2-layer | 2-sided | satin varnish | from €96/m² |
| Wenge | Equatorial Africa | 33 | 15×90 mm | 2-layer | 2-sided | Natura oil | from €143/m² |
| Jatoba (lamparquet) | South America | 33 | 10×60×300 mm | solid | no bevel | unfinished | from €82/m² |
| American walnut | North America | 22 | 15×90×600 mm, herringbone/chevron | 2-layer | 4-sided | matt varnish or oil | from €156/m² |
| Thermo ash | Europe | 31 | 15×160 mm | 2-layer | 2-sided | satin varnish | from €77/m² |
* Use class according to EN 685, manufacturer's data for our format: 22–23 – residential (23 – heavy use), 31–34 – commercial (34 – very heavy use).
Each species in brief
Teak
Warm brown, the grain may show subtle white streaks. According to the manufacturer, teak is naturally rot-resistant, so it suits humid rooms, and thanks to its high density it is very durable.
Merbau
Deep brown and red tones whose colour evolves naturally over time. Its natural silica content gives it longevity; the grain may show white streaks. Suits high-traffic areas.
Ipe
A contrasting palette from red-brown to deep brown, with lighter and darker boards. Fine grain.
Cumaru
Natural tones from yellow-brown to yellow-reddish, fine grain with subtle dark veining. Dense and durable. Our format comes finished with satin varnish.
Padouk
Intense coral red, sometimes with dark veins; the colour deepens with light. Dense wood. Our format is two-layer with a 3.2 mm top layer and satin varnish.
Wenge
Dark brown deepening towards black, sometimes with subtle white veins. The manufacturer values it for its hardness and durability. Our format is two-layer, finished with Natura oil.
Jatoba (lamparquet)
Tones from violet-brown or orangey-brown to reddish-brown. Dense and suited to high-traffic areas. Here as small 10 mm lamparquet.
American walnut
Steamed wood, mainly from North America: tones from yellowish brown to pinkish brown, sometimes greyish, with dark veining. In our range as herringbone and chevron 15×90×600 mm.
Thermo ash
Not exotic, but a close alternative: ash is thermally modified to a rich dark brown, with traces of sapwood and a satin varnish. The lowest price in this group.
Solid or two-layer flooring
Solid (teak, merbau, ipe, cumaru, jatoba) – the whole board is made of the same wood, 10–15 mm thick. Two-layer LOFT PRO (padouk, wenge, walnut, thermo ash) – a 3.2–3.5 mm exotic wood top layer on a plywood base.
Installation, finish and documents
- On heated or cooled floors the manufacturer strongly advises gluing with PS (polymer) adhesive for good thermal conductivity; nailing on underfloor heating is prohibited.
- Unfinished flooring is sanded and varnished or oiled after installation. Cumaru, padouk, wenge, walnut and thermo ash come factory-finished in our formats.
- Wenge may show some white streaks – the manufacturer advises applying a walnut stain before the finish.
- Origin documents on request: FSC for all species, FLEGT for teak and merbau, a certificate of origin for wenge.
Ordering
The flooring is made to order in France; prices are per m² incl. VAT. Send us the room area in m² or a floor plan – we will suggest a species and calculate the price with delivery. Openini showroom: T. Ševčenkos g. 19, LT-03111, Vilnius.
