Bloomsvale KL Case Study: Why a Homeowner Replaced Old Herringbone Timber Flooring With SPC
A real project at Bloomsvale, Old Klang Road. The owner had a classic herringbone parquet floor, and still chose to change it. Here is the story, with photos from the job.
Short version: the homeowner replaced dark reddish-brown herringbone parquet with light oak-look SPC because the old floor no longer suited the modern interior, needed ongoing upkeep, and a floating SPC floor could go in quickly without wet works in a high-rise unit.
The home: a high-floor unit at Bloomsvale
Bloomsvale is a freehold serviced residence on Jalan Klang Lama (Old Klang Road), Kuala Lumpur, developed by Kerjaya Prospek as part of a mixed development with a shopping gallery, hotel and offices. Its high-rise towers give many units wide city views, which is exactly what you see through the floor-to-ceiling windows in the photos below. If you are weighing up flooring for a condo like this, our M Astra condo flooring guide covers the condo-specific points in more detail.
The starting point: a classic herringbone parquet
The unit came with real timber herringbone parquet in a deep reddish-brown tone. Herringbone parquet is a genuinely beautiful floor, and nothing in this story is a criticism of real timber. The photo below was taken mid-job: the new pale SPC planks and underlay are going down while the old parquet is still visible beside them.
Why the owner didn't want to keep the old wood floor
Three practical reasons came up, and they are common to many owners with older timber parquet:
- It no longer matched the interior. The deep red-brown parquet sat awkwardly against the soft blue-grey panelled walls, grey upholstered beds and pale built-in wardrobes the owner had chosen. The floor felt like it belonged to a different decade.
- Upkeep. Real timber parquet needs periodic sanding and re-varnishing to keep its finish, and scratches and worn patches become more visible over time. SPC's wear layer is designed to resist everyday scuffs with almost no maintenance.
- Restoring wouldn't change the look. Floor grinding and re-varnishing is a legitimate option (Summit World also offers it), but it renews the same dark finish. The owner wanted a lighter, calmer room, not a refreshed version of the old one.
Why SPC was the replacement
- Light oak look. The pale oak-look planks make bedrooms feel brighter and more open, and they pair easily with grey, blue-grey and white schemes.
- No wet works. SPC is a floating click-lock floor, which suits high-rise strata buildings where wet works and long renovation periods are often restricted.
- Stable and low maintenance. The rigid core stays flat and solid underfoot, and it is highly water-resistant for everyday spills, though it is not designed to sit under standing water. See our SPC flooring FAQ for the details, or the full SPC explainer for how it is built.
The result
Three bedrooms were finished in the same light oak-look SPC, giving the unit one consistent, calm floor from room to room.
What this case teaches
- Keeping or replacing old parquet is mostly a style decision, not a quality one. A good parquet floor can last decades.
- Restoration renews the same look; replacement changes it. Decide which you actually want first.
- SPC is a practical replacement in high-rise units because it avoids wet works.
- The base still matters. Whether SPC goes over old parquet or after removal depends on how sound and flat the parquet is. Our Setia Alam guide explains the overlay-versus-remove decision step by step.
Thinking of making the same change? A short checklist
- Decide whether you want to restore the look or change it.
- Have the parquet inspected for loose, lifting or uneven blocks.
- Check door clearances and built-in cabinets, since a new floor adds height.
- Confirm your building's renovation rules and permitted working hours.
- Choose the plank tone with your wall and furniture colours in mind.
Frequently asked questions
Should I restore old herringbone parquet or replace it with SPC?
It depends mainly on the look you want. Grinding and re-varnishing renews the same timber floor and keeps its original character, which suits owners who still love the look. Replacing with SPC makes sense when you want a different, lighter style, lower ongoing upkeep, or a floor that matches a more modern interior.
Can SPC flooring be installed over old herringbone parquet?
Sometimes. If the parquet is firmly fixed, flat and in sound condition, a floating SPC floor can often go over it. If blocks are loose, lifting or uneven, the base should be repaired or the parquet removed first. A contractor should inspect the floor before confirming either route.
Is SPC flooring suitable for high-rise condo bedrooms in Kuala Lumpur?
Yes. SPC is installed as a floating floor, so it does not need wet works, which are often restricted in high-rise strata buildings. It is rigid, stable underfoot and highly water-resistant for everyday spills, though it is not designed to sit under standing water for long periods.
💡 Have old parquet or timber you are thinking of changing? Send a few photos on WhatsApp and the Summit World team can tell you whether it can be restored, overlaid or should be removed. Chat with us now →