As a homeowner, one of the choices you'll likely face is what type of flooring to put in your home. While many options are available, wood flooring is often a favorite choice because it's durable and can add natural beauty to a room. And among the variations of wood flooring, herringbone is a style that never seems to go out of fashion. Here's why.
Herringbone Wood Floors Have A Story To Tell
Herringbone flooring has been around for centuries, and its popularity is showing no signs of waning. From The White House to Buckingham Palace, herringbone floors have been used to add a touch of luxury and refinement.
This type of flooring gets its name from its distinctive pattern, which resembles the bones of a herring fish.The herringbone pattern was first used in European castle floors and eventually made its way into homes of the nobility. It became a symbol of wealth and status, and it remains one of the most popular flooring designs to this day.
There's something about herringbone wood floors that just exudes elegance and sophistication. Maybe it's the way the wood is cut, or the way the patterns form a perfect Chevron.
The Herringbone Pattern Can Create Movement And Space In Your Home
The zigzagging layout of herringbone wood flooring creates arrows on your floor which produce the look of movement. This intricate design will bring some fluidity and life into your space, making it appear longer and larger than it is. The focal point of the design naturally draws your eye in the direction they go, so consider using it in foyers, hallways and bathrooms for a grandiose feel.
DIY Installation
On the bright side, you don’t need to be a professional to install herringbone wood flooring inside your house, but we would recommend you speak to a trained professional if you plan to do it yourself. By taking in these simple tips, you will be able to get a feel for whether or not installing your own herringbone flooring is within your wheelhouse or not:
- Take measurements and mark your room.
You need to measure and label the area where you are installing it. Edges can look wonky if your wall is not square to the rest of your space.
Even in a simple room, it is important to set it up correctly and then stick to those lines that you marked. This keeps the herringbone pattern straight and stops small milling differences from making the lines go in different directions.
You also want to make sure the pattern points the eye towards a centralized focal point. This could be the main doorway into a room, or it could be a key part of the room like a bay window, fireplace, or centralized desk like you would find in an executive's office.
- Balance your subfloor
When putting in herringbone flooring, it's even more important to make sure the subfloor is smooth because the small herringbone blocks can't hide dips and ridges as well as normal plank flooring can. The result will show any bumps and may make the corners of the blocks a little bit higher.
For that reason, there should be no more than a 3 mm difference in level over a 2-meter area. (1)
- Create different shades by merging and adjusting planks
Blending hardwood floors from different packs is always a good idea. Herringbone wood can show off a lot of different visual effects thanks to the way the grain goes in different directions. So, a good, even mix of blocks from different types, like white oak, hickory, or beech, will help get rid of any unwanted patches or strips of the same color or texture. This will give the floor a beautiful range of colors and will make it the focal point of the room.
Chevron Vs Herringbone Wood Floor: What’s The Difference?
Despite the rich history of herringbone floorings, they are still often confused with chevron styles. Both feature a herringbone pattern, but there are some key differences between the two. Chevron floorings have boards that are cut at an angle, creating a V-shaped pattern. Herringbone floorings, on the other hand, have boards that are cut in a straight-line pattern. As a result, herringbone floorings have a more subtle herringbone pattern. In terms of installation, both styles can be on the higher difficulty scale, so you will likely either need to consult a professional before installing yourself or have a trusted installer do the work for you. Between the two nuanced styles, herringbone wood flooring can be slightly more difficult to install than chevron flooring. This is because the straight-line pattern of herringbone wood flooring requires special attention to detail. However, herringbone flooring can be more forgiving than chevron flooring when it comes to imperfections in the subfloor. Ultimately, both herringbone and chevron offer a stylish and classic look for any home.
So, if you’re in the market for a floor that will never go out of style and is bound to impress your guests for years to come, herringbone wood floors are the way to go. Request a free quote today and let us show you just how beautiful your home can be with this timeless flooring design.
(1) WOODPECKER,”5 TOP TIPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL HERRINGBONE INSTALLATION”,
woodpeckerflooring.co.uk/blog/5-tips-for-successful-herringbone-installations/