What is the difference between Chevron and Herringbone flooring?

A common source of confusion when it comes to Parquet (patterned) flooring, is the subtle difference between Chevron and Herringbone patterns. At first glance, they look similar with their zigzag design, but the devil is in the details. Both herringbone and chevron have the same fundamentals to their manufacturing despite the slight aesthetic variance in their appearance.

The difference:

Chevron:

Chevron flooring will give you a uniform set of V patterns, also known as chevron patterns. The planks are cut on an angle which means the boards don’t run at a 90 degree right angle. These boards fit together using the traditional tongue and groove installation method to form the chevron pattern when the left and right orientation of each board gives you the perfect V shape. Traditionally Chevron boards are narrower, shorter planks than usual flooring, however can come in a multitude of sizes. Chevron's origins first came into fashion during the mid - late 16th Century when the traditional name “Point de Hongrie,” also known as Hungarian Point, was a style of embroidery from which chevron flooring became an item. See below:

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Herringbone:

Herringbone Parquet has been a revitalised trend over recent years to add a modern contemporary feel to the room they are installed in. The design of flooring laid in this manner has been around for many centuries, with the first indications of this pattern being used dating as far back as 500 BC in Ancient Rome, when the design was first used on old Roman roads. We then later first started to see the pattern transform into real wood flooring in the early 16th Century.  Herringbone flooring is cut in rectangles and laid at a 90 degree angle to give a staggered zigzag pattern consisting of mini-boards of your traditional square edge flooring planks. All of the boards are manufactured to the exact same size, although when laid in a staggered pattern, it still creates a consistently stylish floor. See below: 

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Both Chevron and Herringbone patterns can be made using various species of wood, and can have a variety of finishes applied. It is nice to have a range of different choices for your parquet flooring when designing an interior space, and both patterns give a classical look. With these old styles re-emerging in popularity, they are a no brainer for anyone looking to enhance their floors!

Be inspired and view our new Patterned Flooring Collection launched for the summer of 2021.

If you are a trade client, then our new patterned flooring sample folders are now available to order!