Herringbone and chevron hardwood floors in Los Angeles

Herringbone vs. chevron

Herringbone boards are cut square at the ends and laid in a staggered zigzag, so each board's end meets the side of the next. Chevron boards are cut at an angle at the ends, so they meet in a clean point and form a continuous V. Herringbone reads as a woven texture; chevron reads as a stronger arrow-like line.

Both can be laid in different board sizes. Longer, wider boards suit large rooms and open plans; shorter boards give a finer, more traditional pattern.

Layout is what makes a pattern look right

A pattern floor has a centerline, and where it sits decides how the room reads. We lay out from the main sightline so the pattern looks straight from the front door, and we plan how it meets walls, cabinets, other rooms and the stairs before installation starts. Some homeowners run herringbone in the main living areas and switch to straight plank in bedrooms or upstairs, as in our Westlake Village project.

What affects the cost of a pattern floor

Pattern floors take more labor and usually more material than a straight lay, because of the layout work and the cuts at every edge. The main factors are the product, board size, the room shapes, borders, subfloor preparation and stairs.

Call for pricing or book a free in-home estimate. Material and installation are quoted per project after we measure.

Patterns need a larger waste allowance than straight plank. Our flooring calculator lets you add one for a first estimate; we confirm the exact quantity from the layout and the manufacturer’s guide.