Marlow Solid Unfinished Oak Parquet Blocks 18 x 90 x 300 (mm)

The blocks are laid, the adhesive cures, the whole floor is sanded flat in one pass so the blocks become a single surface, and then it is oiled or lacquered on site in the finish the room wants.

That is more work than a finished block and it gives the flattest, most authentic result, with no small steps between blocks and a finish chosen on the day. Because they are solid oak and glued, the blocks need a flat, dry subfloor and acclimatisation in the room before laying. Tongue and groove, micro-bevelled, not listed as compatible with underfloor heating; a box covers 1.08 square metres, and the manufacturer's warranty is 20 years.

The Marlow Natural Oak, Light Oak and Smoked Oak blocks arrive finished for a floor that is laid and walked on the same week. For a patterned floor over underfloor heating, the engineered Oxford herringbone blocks are the route; solid blocks are not listed for it.