Herringbone is laid from rectangular boards set at right angles, so the ends overlap in a zigzag. Chevron boards are cut on an angle at each end, so every row meets in a clean point. Parquet panels are squares put together from smaller pieces, and La Cumbre builds its own on the bench. All three are in the photos on this page, which come from La Cumbre’s Google listing.
Herringbone or chevron?
| What | Herringbone | Chevron |
|---|---|---|
| Board ends | Square | Cut on an angle |
| Where the rows meet | Ends overlap, in a broken zigzag | Ends meet in a straight line of points |
| How it reads | Woven, a little busier | Arrows that pull the eye down the room |
Borders and inlays
A border is a line of contrasting wood set into the floor, usually following the walls. It has to be laid out before the first board goes down, because the pattern inside it must land evenly on every side.
Parquet panels, built by hand
A panel is a square made of smaller pieces inside a frame. La Cumbre cuts the pieces, glues them up in clamps and tapes the small parts in place while the glue sets. The finished panels are laid like large tiles.
“Parquet panel designs are true artisan work, so we do most of these projects in Montecito, where clients demand that level of custom, high-end craftsmanship.”Tony
What a patterned floor asks for
- A flat base. Short boards show every dip. The subfloor is checked and corrected first. See the subfloor guide.
- A center line. The pattern starts from a line snapped down the middle of the room, so it lands evenly at both walls.
- More cuts and more time. A pattern takes longer than boards laid straight and wastes more wood at the edges. Expect it to cost more. More on what sets the price.
Repairing a patterned floor
A patch in herringbone has to match the board size, the angle and the color of the floor around it.
“From start to finish, TONATIUH was very professional and upfront about the cost. He repaired a section of our flooring on both sides of a wall that had a floor heater removed. He did a fantastic job and matched our existing flooring in terms of color and wood strips. We highly recommend him for your flooring needs.”Maria R. · Google review
Questions
What is the difference between herringbone and chevron?
Herringbone uses boards with square ends laid at right angles, so the ends overlap. Chevron uses boards with ends cut on an angle, so each row meets the next in a point.
Does a patterned floor cost more than a straight one?
Yes, as a rule. There are more cuts, more layout time and more waste at the walls. Tony’s estimate is free and will give you a number for your room.
Can a herringbone floor be sanded and refinished?
Solid wood and engineered wood with a thick top layer can be. The grain runs in two directions, so the sanding has to be done with more care than on a straight floor.