Herringbone vs Chevron Flooring: What's the Difference?

📖 14 min read

Here's what I tell every customer who walks into this conversation: herringbone and chevron look similar, but they're two completely different patterns. Herringbone uses rectangular planks laid at 90° angles to create a broken, staggered zigzag. Chevron uses planks cut at 45° angles that meet at perfect points, forming continuous V-shapes running the full length of the floor.

After 15+ years in flooring, I've installed hundreds of both patterns across Australian homes. The confusion is understandable—from a distance, they both create that elegant zigzag effect. But up close? Completely different installation process, different costs, and a distinctly different visual impact. Get the wrong one, and you'll be looking at a floor that doesn't match the inspiration photo you showed your installer.

In this guide, I'll break down everything you need to know: the real technical differences, which pattern suits your space, the true cost difference in Australia, and which flooring materials work best for each style.

The Visual Difference: What You're Actually Looking At

Let me make this dead simple. I've had customers stare at two sample boards and still not see the difference until I pointed it out. Here's the key:

The easiest way I explain it on-site: look at where the planks meet. In herringbone, one plank's end butts against the side of another, creating that staggered, interlocking look. In chevron, the angled ends of two planks meet at a perfect point, creating a continuous line of V-shapes down the floor.

Both patterns have been around for centuries. Herringbone showed up in ancient Roman roads (they used it because the interlocking pattern was incredibly stable underfoot). Chevron appears in pottery and art dating back to the Bronze Age. By the 16th century, both patterns were gracing the floors of European palaces—the Château de Fontainebleau in France features some of the earliest known examples of herringbone timber flooring.

Today? Both patterns are experiencing a massive resurgence in Australian homes. I'm seeing them everywhere from heritage renovations in Melbourne to brand-new builds on the Gold Coast.

Herringbone Pattern: The Classic Choice

Herringbone is the pattern I install most often, and there's a reason for that. It's slightly more forgiving during installation, works beautifully in both traditional and modern homes, and has a warmth that chevron sometimes lacks.

How Herringbone Is Laid

Each rectangular plank is placed at a 90° angle to its neighbour. The end of one plank sits against the side of the next, creating that distinctive broken zigzag. Installation typically starts from the centre of the room and works outward, ensuring the pattern is symmetrical.

The key to herringbone's appeal is that irregularity. The staggered joints create texture, movement, and visual depth. Your eye moves across the floor in a way that feels dynamic but not overwhelming. It's busy enough to be interesting, calm enough to live with every day.

Where Herringbone Works Best

• Living rooms and lounges — Creates a sophisticated backdrop without dominating the space
• Hallways and entryways — The pattern can make narrow spaces feel wider when laid perpendicular to the length
• Heritage and period homes — Complements original features beautifully
• Open-plan living — The texture helps define zones without physical barriers

The Herringbone Advantage

From a practical standpoint, herringbone has one major advantage: simpler cuts. Because the planks are rectangular (no angled ends), the cutting process during installation is more straightforward. This doesn't mean it's easy—you still need a skilled installer—but there's less room for error than with chevron.

Chevron Pattern: The Bold Statement

Chevron is the pattern you choose when you want the floor to be the star of the show. Those continuous V-shapes create a sense of movement and direction that's impossible to ignore. I've installed chevron in high-end apartments, boutique retail spaces, and homes where the owner wanted something that would stop visitors in their tracks.

How Chevron Is Laid

Each plank is cut at an angle—typically 45°, though 60° angles create a sharper, more dramatic V. The angled ends of two planks meet at a perfect point, and when laid correctly, you get clean lines running the entire length of the floor.

The precision required here is significantly higher than herringbone. Every angle needs to be exact, or the points won't meet cleanly. I've seen DIY chevron jobs that looked like a crooked arrow pointing to nothing. It's not a pattern for amateurs.

Where Chevron Works Best

• Contemporary apartments — The bold lines suit minimalist, modern design
• Large open spaces — Chevron can feel overwhelming in small rooms but shines in bigger areas
• Retail and hospitality — The pattern creates a luxury feel that commercial clients love
• Statement rooms — Home offices, dining rooms, anywhere you want dramatic impact

The Chevron Trade-Off

Chevron looks incredible, but you pay for that look in installation complexity, material waste, and cost. The angled cuts mean more offcuts that can't be reused, and the precision required means slower installation. I'll break down the exact numbers shortly.

Installation: What's Actually Involved

Both patterns require professional installation—I can't stress this enough. But the installation process differs significantly between the two.

Herringbone Installation

With herringbone, the installer works with rectangular planks. The cuts are straightforward (90° angles), and the pattern is slightly more forgiving if things aren't perfectly aligned. Don't get me wrong—poor herringbone installation is obvious—but there's a bit more tolerance built into the design.

Modern herringbone hybrid flooring often uses a click-lock system with A and B boards. The boards are designed to slot together at 90° angles, with one board's short end connecting to another's long edge. This simplifies the process considerably compared to traditional glue-down timber.

Typical installation time: For a 40m² room, expect 1.5 to 2 days for an experienced installer.

Chevron Installation

Chevron demands precision from the first cut to the last. Every plank needs the same exact angle (typically 45°), and those angles need to meet perfectly at the point. A miter saw is essential, and the installer needs to constantly check alignment as they work.

The pattern is less forgiving of subfloor imperfections too. Because those V-points need to line up perfectly, any lumps or dips in the subfloor will throw off the alignment. More prep work is often required.

Typical installation time: For a 40m² room, expect 2 to 2.5 days—sometimes longer for complex spaces.

Can You DIY Herringbone or Chevron?

I'll be honest: I've seen competent DIYers successfully install herringbone hybrid flooring using click-lock systems. It takes patience, careful planning, and a willingness to start over if things go wrong. But it can be done.

Chevron? That's a different story. The angled cuts require precision equipment and experience. I've fixed too many DIY chevron disasters to recommend it. The cost of hiring a professional is almost always worth it for chevron.

If you're considering the DIY route for herringbone, check out our flooring calculator to work out exactly how much material you'll need, including waste allowance.

Cost Comparison: Herringbone vs Chevron in Australia (2026)

Let's talk real numbers. I get asked about cost on almost every pattern flooring job, and I prefer to be upfront about it.

Pattern flooring—whether herringbone or chevron—costs more than standard straight-lay installation. You're paying for more material (higher waste factor), more labour time, and specialist skill. But within pattern flooring, chevron typically costs 10-15% more than herringbone.

Material Costs

The flooring material itself is often priced the same whether you're doing herringbone or chevron. What changes is the waste factor:

• Straight-lay flooring: Order 10% extra for waste
• Herringbone: Order 15-20% extra for waste
• Chevron: Order 20-25% extra for waste

So for a 50m² floor, you'd order 55m² for straight-lay, but up to 62m² for chevron. At $50/m², that's an extra $350 just in materials.

Installation Costs (Australia 2026)

Real-World Example: 40m² Living Room

Let's break down a real comparison using our SPC hybrid herringbone (around $65/m² for materials) versus chevron:

That's around $530 difference—roughly 9% more for chevron. Over a larger area, the gap widens.

Material Options: What Works for Each Pattern

Both herringbone and chevron can be achieved with multiple flooring types. Your choice of material affects durability, maintenance, suitability for different rooms, and of course, budget.

Engineered Timber

The traditional choice for pattern floors. Engineered timber features a real hardwood top layer (typically 3mm+) over a stable plywood or HDF core. It's the closest you'll get to solid timber with better dimensional stability.

• Best for: Living areas, dining rooms, bedrooms, spaces where you want that authentic timber look
• Price range: $100-140/m² for herringbone/chevron options
• Considerations: Not waterproof—I don't recommend it for wet areas. Can be sanded and refinished (1-2 times depending on veneer thickness)

SPC Hybrid Flooring

This is where the flooring industry has really evolved. Modern SPC (Stone Plastic Composite) hybrid flooring gives you the pattern look with serious practical advantages: 100% water-resistant core, excellent scratch resistance (that 0.5mm wear layer makes a difference), and click-lock installation that's faster than glue-down methods.

• Best for: Kitchens, laundries, bathrooms, high-traffic areas, homes with kids or pets
• Price range: $55-85/m² for herringbone options
• Considerations: Can't be sanded, but the wear layer means it'll look good for 15-25 years in residential settings

I've been increasingly recommending hybrid for herringbone installations, especially in open-plan homes where the living area flows into the kitchen. One consistent floor throughout, and you don't have to stress about water damage.

Laminate

Laminate herringbone exists, but I'll be honest—it's not my first recommendation. The printed wear layer can look good initially, but it's less durable than hybrid and has no water resistance. For the small price difference, hybrid makes more sense in most applications.

Solid Timber

For the purists. Solid timber parquet (including herringbone and chevron) is gorgeous but requires glue-down installation, significant subfloor prep, and professional finishing. It's also the most expensive option and isn't suitable for areas with moisture exposure.

If you're set on solid timber herringbone, budget for the full works: acclimation time, professional installation, sanding, and coating. The result is stunning, but expect to pay accordingly.

Which Pattern for Which Room?

After years of installing both patterns, I've developed some strong opinions about where each works best. This isn't about strict rules—ultimately, it's your home—but these guidelines will help you avoid common mistakes.

Living Rooms

Winner: Herringbone

Living rooms are where you spend the most time, and the softer visual texture of herringbone wears better on the eyes over time. Chevron can feel a bit relentless in a space you use every day. That said, in a very large, minimally furnished living area, chevron can work beautifully.

Hallways and Entryways

Winner: Either, depending on direction

Both patterns can make hallways feel wider or longer depending on how you orient them. For herringbone, laying the pattern so the "V" points toward the walls can widen the space. For chevron, pointing the V toward the focal point (usually the door at the end) creates a sense of invitation.

Kitchens

Winner: Herringbone (in SPC hybrid)

Kitchens need water resistance, so hybrid flooring is my go-to here. The busier herringbone pattern also hides crumbs and minor debris better than chevron's clean lines—practical when you're cooking for a family.

Bedrooms

Winner: Personal preference

Bedrooms are private spaces where you can be more adventurous. If you love chevron, the bedroom is a great place to try it. The pattern adds drama without overwhelming, especially if you keep the rest of the room simple.

Bathrooms

Winner: Herringbone (in SPC hybrid)

If you're doing pattern flooring in a bathroom (which looks fantastic, by the way), waterproof SPC hybrid is non-negotiable. Herringbone's shorter planks can work better in smaller bathroom layouts, making the cuts at walls less awkward.

Open-Plan Spaces

Winner: Herringbone

For large, open-plan living (the kitchen-dining-living combo that's standard in most Australian homes now), herringbone's versatility shines. It flows naturally through the space without demanding too much attention. Chevron can create awkward transitions between zones if not planned carefully.

Making Your Decision: Herringbone or Chevron?

After everything I've covered, here's how I'd frame your decision:

Choose Herringbone If...

• You want a timeless, versatile pattern that suits both traditional and modern spaces
• You're installing in an open-plan area where the floor needs to flow through multiple zones
• Budget matters and you want to save on installation costs
• You're considering DIY installation with a click-lock hybrid product
• You want a pattern that's busy enough to hide debris and minor wear
• You're renovating a heritage or period home

Choose Chevron If...

• You want the floor to be a bold design statement
• Your space is large and minimally furnished
• You love clean, continuous lines and a sense of directional flow
• You're going for a contemporary, high-end aesthetic
• Budget isn't the primary concern
• You have access to a skilled, experienced installer

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Last updated: January 2026 · Written by the team at Hybrid Floors Australia