Lava

Lava — The Darkest Black Oak Flooring | Chevron, Herringbone & Boards

Lava is the most intense finish in the PerfektoWood collection — a deep, near-black engineered oak flooring that brings maximum visual weight and dramatic character to any interior. The name is deliberate: like volcanic rock, Lava is dark, dense and elemental — a floor that commands attention and defines the atmosphere of a space from the ground up.

The colour is achieved through pigmented color oil applied and UV cured at the factory. The black pigment is in the oil layer — not in the wood itself, and the natural grain of the European oak remains clearly visible beneath the dark finish — giving Lava a depth and organic complexity that flat black surfaces cannot replicate.

Colour character: Near-black, deep and intense. The darkest finish in the PerfektoWood collection — darker than any other colour in the collection. Natural oak grain clearly visible beneath the black colour, adding subtle texture and organic variation across the floor surface. UV oil finish preserves the intensity of the colour without adding surface sheen.

Pattern options: Lava is available in chevron parquet 45°, chevron parquet 60°, herringbone flooring 90° and straight board formats.

The design case for black oak flooring

Black floors are among the most debated specifications in residential and hospitality interior design. They are also, when used well, among the most powerful. Understanding when Lava is the right specification — and when it is not — is essential for architects and designers considering it for a project.

When Lava works: Large spaces with good natural light and high ceilings, where the dark floor creates a dramatic high-contrast composition with light walls and furnishings. Contemporary minimalist interiors where the floor is the single dominant material statement. Dark, atmospheric hospitality spaces — restaurants, bars, boutique hotels — where the intensity of the floor contributes to a specific mood. Chevron or herringbone pattern installations, where the strong geometric pattern reads most clearly against a very dark colour.

When Lava requires careful consideration: Small spaces with low ceilings and limited natural light — here, a very dark floor can feel heavy rather than sophisticated. Projects where the client is likely to want a lighter feel in the future — Lava is a committed specification. Sanding removes the pigmented oil layer and the black colour — re-oil with the matching black colour oil to restore it.

Lava and the sawn marks surface — a designer combination

Among the three available surface options for Lava — sanded, brushed and sawn marks — the sawn marks surface creates a particularly distinctive result. The sawn marks texture adds a raw, industrial quality to the already intense black colour: the surface reads as simultaneously dark and textured, with the grain structure and tool marks creating a visual depth that is unlike any other flooring specification available.

This combination — Lava colour with sawn marks surface — is increasingly specified for hospitality interiors, design-led restaurants and boutique hotels where a strong, unconventional floor material is part of the overall design concept.

Available formats and dimensions

• Chevron parquet 45°: 12x140x520 mm, 12x140x820 mm, 15x140x660 mm
• Chevron parquet 60°: 12x140x550 mm, 12x140x850 mm, 15x140x690 mm
• Herringbone flooring 90°: 12x140x595 mm, 12x140x895 mm, 15x140x720 mm
• Boards: 12x140x1200–1800 mm, 15x180x1200–2400 mm, 15x220x1800–2400 mm, 18.5x240x1800–2400 mm, 20.5x260x1800–2400 mm, 20.5x300x1800–2400 mm

Specifications

• Wood: European Oak
• Finish: Pigmented color oil — black, UV cured
• Construction: Engineered — birch plywood base
• Surface options: Sanded, Brushed, Sawn Marks
• Underfloor heating: Compatible

Available grades

Lava is available in three grades. Full grading descriptions with photos are available on the Engineered Oak Parquet Grading page.

• Select — most consistent black tone, minimal knots. The black colour reads as the most even and intense in Select — the preferred choice for interiors where the colour statement is the priority.
• Classic — moderate grain variation with occasional small knots. Natural grain variation creates subtle differences in how the black oil reads across boards — adding visual depth.
• Rustic — pronounced grain, knots and natural marks beneath the black finish. The most characterful expression — the combination of intense black colour and pronounced natural wood character creates a floor of exceptional visual complexity.

Suitable for

• Contemporary and minimalist residential interiors with light walls and high contrast
• Dark, atmospheric dining rooms, studies and master bedrooms
• Boutique hotels, restaurants and hospitality spaces where a dramatic floor is the design statement
• Large open-plan spaces where the full impact of the dark floor can be appreciated
• Projects with underfloor heating systems
• B2B supply to architects, interior designers, developers and flooring contractors in Sweden, Germany, France, Norway, Austria and across Europe

Lava in completed projects

Lava samples are available on request. To discuss Lava for your project or request technical specifications, contact PerfektoWood directly. See all completed projects in the Projects gallery.

Technical information

For full construction details see the Engineered Oak Parquet Construction page. For surface and finishing options see the Oak Parquet Surface & Finishing Guide.

Frequently asked questions

What does Lava black oak look like?

Near-black — the darkest finish in the PerfektoWood collection. Pigmented color oil — deep black, natural oak grain clearly visible beneath. The colour is in the oil layer. UV oil finish, no surface sheen.

Is black oak flooring suitable for residential interiors?

Yes — when specified correctly. Works best in larger spaces with light walls and high ceilings where dark floor creates dramatic contrast. Also effective in dark, atmospheric schemes. Less suitable for small, low-ceilinged spaces with limited natural light.

Does Lava make a room feel smaller?

Not necessarily. Dark floors create a grounded, defined quality rather than simply making a room smaller. In well-lit spaces with light walls, Lava creates sophisticated high-contrast composition. The space's size, ceiling height and light quality matter more than the floor colour alone.

What happens when Lava is sanded?

Sanding removes the UV oil layer and the black colour. To restore the Lava tone, re-oil with a matching dark colour oil. Contact PerfektoWood to confirm the correct oil specification before refinishing.

Which surface option suits Lava best?

All three work — sanded gives the most even, intense black; brushed emphasises the grain beneath the colour; sawn marks adds raw texture. The Lava + sawn marks combination is particularly distinctive for hospitality and design-led interiors.

To request samples, pricing or a custom quote, contact PerfektoWood directly.