Home / Herringbone vs Chevron Flooring
Two classic parquet patterns compared — and how to choose between them.
Both are classic parquet patterns laid from rectangular blocks, and both bring rhythm and craftsmanship to a room. The difference is in how the blocks meet.
Blocks are laid at a right angle in a staggered, interlocking zig-zag. It is the timeless, slightly softer pattern, and forgiving to lay, which keeps it a favourite in period and new-build homes alike.
Blocks are cut at an angle so the ends meet in a continuous point, creating a sharp, directional V. It is more precise to cut and lay, and reads as more contemporary and formal.
Choose herringbone for a timeless, characterful floor; choose chevron for a crisp, modern, directional look. Both are available in oak, smoked and bespoke colours and can be laid over underfloor heating in engineered form.
Both patterns supplied and laid by hand across Cambridge and beyond:
Chevron usually costs a little more because the angled blocks take more cutting and care to lay. We quote both clearly.
Yes, in engineered oak, correctly specified and fitted.
Chevron tends to read as more contemporary; herringbone is more timeless.
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Herringbone and chevron are often confused, but the difference is simple once you have seen it. In herringbone, rectangular blocks are laid at right angles so the end of one block meets the side of the next, creating a broken, stepped zig-zag. In chevron, the blocks are cut at an angle and meet point-to-point, forming a continuous V with a single straight seam running down the room.
Herringbone feels classic and a little softer; chevron feels sharper, more directional and more contemporary. Both are available in our engineered oak across the same range of tones and finishes.
Herringbone is the more forgiving to fit and suits the widest range of rooms, from period drawing rooms to modern kitchens. Chevron makes a stronger, more architectural statement and can make a narrow space feel longer. See each in full in our herringbone and chevron collections.
Chevron is usually a little more involved because every block is angle-cut and the centre line must be perfect, but the difference depends on the room. We price each floor after measuring.
Herringbone is the older, more classic pattern in British homes; chevron reads as the more modern, continental choice — though both have a long history.