Herringbone Flooring FAQs

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Traditional and timeless, herringbone flooring is known and loved for its elegance, uniformity, and distinctive pattern. Over the last few years, it’s re-entered the spotlight as one of the most popular flooring options for homes across the country. Blending traditional with ultra-modern, nothing brings the drama and atmosphere to a room quite like herringbone flooring.

Plus, with so many different colourways and styles to choose from, we’re confident you’ll find the perfect herringbone flooring option for your home, whatever your interior decor! We stock a range of laminate, vinyl, LVT and carpet herringbone options at Tapi, which look perfect in living rooms, kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms!

Explore our full range of herringbone flooring below, or alternatively, head to your nearest store, where you can see our range up close and personal, and speak to one of our expert floorologists if you have any questions!

Is a herringbone floor more expensive?

If you would like a herringbone floor pattern in wood, due to the production process for herringbone planks, it will often be slightly more expensive than a larger, standard sized floor. The small planks and cuts at the perimeter of a room will mean there is more wastage than a standard plank installation. A minimum of 20% additional material would need to be ordered for wastage. When laying the floor, the planks must be precise to keep the pattern uniform and that takes a little more time so increases the cost. However, herringbone patterns are also available in sheet vinyl form where there will be less wastage and does not take any longer to fit than a standard vinyl, still achieving the desirable effect.

Are herringbone floors worth it?

There is nothing grander or more elegant than a herringbone floor. Whilst being slightly more expensive you can be sure the herringbone pattern will achieve the ‘wow’ factor and impress your visitors. It not only brings opulence and luxury to any room, but the pattern also creates the illusion of movement, making a room appear larger, so it would be a great choice for smaller or narrower rooms.

What's the difference between herringbone and parquet?

The word ‘parquet’ is the umbrella term used to describe a variety of patterned flooring. Parquet floors are recognised by their small planks that run in diagonal patterns and there are plenty of different designs and styles for you to choose from. Herringbone is a specific flooring pattern and it’s available in wood, laminate, vinyl, LVT and carpet.

What does herringbone mean? Why is it called herringbone?

The herringbone pattern is the most popular form of parquet flooring, first developed in the Roman era as the perfect arrangement for road building. Romans discovered the roads were more stable when the bricks were laid in the herringbone pattern. It was first used in flooring back in the 16th century and remains just as popular today. The pattern is called herringbone due to its visual similarity of the bone structure of a herring fish. It’s a type of pattern made up of rectangles at right angles to one another, creating a staggered zig-zag design.

Why is herringbone flooring so popular?

Herringbone patterns have increased in popularity due to the increase in classic finishes to homes and the improved manufacturing process in laminates and click-fit luxury vinyl. Thanks to the variety in wood shades and patterns, it combines a natural material look with extra visual interest. There are many styles and shades to choose from and the results are spectacular adding a touch of elegance to your home.

What does houndstooth mean?

Houndstooth is a two-toned, broken check pattern using mainly two colours. The print was originally inspired by the uneven shape of a dog’s teeth and was worn by shepherds in Scotland as a form of ancient camouflage. Worn by the wealthy in the 1930’s, houndstooth has a timeless appeal that will never go out of style.

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Herringbone Flooring FAQs