Chevron Parquet Flooring

Chevron or herringbone?

Chevron: each block’s end is cut at an angle, typically 30 to 45 degrees, so the blocks meet end to end in a point and form a continuous V. Clean, directional and formal. Herringbone: rectangular blocks laid at right angles, each end meeting the side of the next, forming a staggered zigzag. Lively and traditional. Chevron makes a cleaner line; herringbone has more movement.

How to choose chevron parquet

Angle

A 45-degree angle gives a pronounced, classic V; a shallower 30-degree angle gives a longer, softer pattern.

Block size

Longer, wider blocks give a bold, contemporary chevron for large rooms; smaller blocks look traditional and suit hallways.

Material

Engineered oak for stability, concrete and underfloor heating where approved; solid oak for the longest life; laminate for scratch resistance; vinyl for water.

Colour and grade

Natural and light oak show the pattern clearly; smoked and dark oak look rich and formal. Rustic grades add character; select grades look calm and refined.

Planning a chevron floor

Chevron is directional, so decide where the V points before you start: usually along the length of the room, or towards the main window, fireplace or view. The pattern is built from a centre line, so the cut blocks at both walls match. Chevron has left and right blocks that must be kept separate. Order 10% to 15% extra for cutting waste; our measuring guide explains how.

Chevron parquet room by room

Hallways: a V running the length of the hall draws you into the house. Living rooms: point the V towards the fireplace or window. Dining rooms: centre the pattern on the table. Kitchens: chevron vinyl or laminate, or engineered with a durable finish. Bathrooms: chevron vinyl only.

Fitting chevron parquet

Real wood chevron is usually glued to a dry, flat, primed subfloor with a wood floor adhesive; click chevron in engineered wood, laminate and vinyl can float over a suitable underlay. The subfloor must be very flat, and the centre line accurate: any drift shows along the whole floor. Most people use an experienced fitter for chevron. Our installation guides explain the steps.

Choosing a chevron tone

Natural oak: the classic French look, warm and timeless. Light and white-oiled oak: bright and Scandi, and the pattern shows clearly. Smoked and dark oak: rich and formal, beautiful in period dining rooms. Grey: modern and calm. Pattern shows most in tones with some grain variation, so very plain decors can make the V less visible.

Chevron with borders

A border of straight boards or blocks round the edge of the room frames a chevron floor and hides the cut ends at the walls. It is a traditional finishing touch in period homes and suits large rooms especially well. Plan borders before ordering, as they add to the cutting and the quantity.

Comparing samples at home

Order free samples of two or three options and put them on the floor of the room where they will be laid. Look at them in daylight and in the evening under your own lamps, next to the walls, skirting, units and furniture they will sit with. Colours and textures look different in every room and on every screen, so a few minutes with real samples is the best way to avoid a costly mistake. Stand back as well as looking close up: a floor is mostly seen from standing height and from the doorway.

Looking after chevron parquet

Vacuum regularly, use door mats and felt pads, and clean real wood with a pH-neutral wood floor cleaner. Refresh oiled floors with maintenance oil. Real wood chevron can be sanded and refinished as its top layer allows.

Common mistakes

• Not deciding the direction of the V before starting.
• A centre line that is not straight, so the pattern drifts.
• Mixing up left and right blocks.
• Only 5% extra ordered.