Herringbone & Chevron Floors in Toronto
Both patterns set boards at an angle, one piece at a time. That takes longer than a straight lay, so we price each pattern floor on its own instead of using a set rate.
We supply and lay pattern floors in hardwood, engineered wood, laminate and vinyl across the GTA. Quotes cost nothing and come fixed in writing. Request one.
Why the Pattern Appeals
Herringbone sets rectangular boards at right angles to one another, so the floor zigzags from wall to wall. The result looks planned and complete, and you see it in front halls, living rooms and open main floors, the places a visitor looks first.
The pattern has a practical side too. It runs two ways at once, so a tight hall or an odd-shaped room looks wider, and a long open plan no longer feels like a corridor.
See our workHerringbone vs Chevron
Herringbone looks busier and more classic. Chevron looks cleaner and draws the eye down the room. We lay both and bring samples of each so you can compare.
Herringbone
Herringbone uses standard rectangular boards. Each board’s end butts against the side of its neighbour, and the joints form a stepped zigzag. You can lay any straight board this way.
Chevron
Chevron boards have both ends cut on an angle, often 45 degrees. The points meet to form one continuous V that runs the length of the room. The factory makes that cut, so you have to buy chevron boards for a chevron floor.
Materials for Pattern Floors
You don’t need solid wood to get the pattern. Herringbone, chevron and parquet come in every main flooring type, which puts the look within reach of most budgets:
- Engineered hardwood is a popular choice. It keeps its shape through a Toronto winter better than solid wood, and that counts where boards meet on an angle. Hardwood installation
- Solid hardwood suits a main floor over plywood that you plan to sand and refinish many years from now.
- Laminate and vinyl in a herringbone cut bring the pattern to rentals, basements and tighter budgets. Vinyl · Laminate
The bedroom floor pictured further up is herringbone laminate. You get the same pattern in a different material.
Pricing, and What We Check First
We quote herringbone and chevron by the job. A square-foot rate doesn’t fit, because the labour doesn’t rise in step with the floor area.
A small square room can go faster than a big one with three doorways. A pattern centred on a hallway also takes longer to set out than one that runs into a corner.
Laying a pattern takes more work than a straight floor, and we write the price down before work begins. We price the flooring material on its own.
Get a fixed quoteSubfloor flatness
A dip shows through angled joints sooner than through straight boards.
Where to centre it
The pattern has a spine. We line it up with the room, or with the doorway you see first.
How much extra to order
Angled cuts leave more offcuts than a straight lay, so we calculate the quantity with you.
The Process
Consultation
We visit for free, talk through the rooms and what you want, and bring herringbone and chevron samples to compare.
Select material
You choose the material and pattern, whether hardwood, engineered, laminate or vinyl, and we tell you what each one needs.
Save a date
Once the pattern and material are settled, we book your install date.
Installation
When the material arrives, we set out the pattern from its centre line and start laying the floor.
What People Are Saying
Common Questions
What does a herringbone floor cost to install in Toronto?
We price it per job. Room shape, doorways, where the pattern is centred and the material all affect the work, as well as the square footage. Send us your room sizes and we will write down a fixed price.
How is herringbone different from chevron?
Herringbone uses plain rectangular boards, each end butting into the side of the next, so the joints step in a zigzag. Chevron boards are cut on an angle at both ends and meet at a point, forming a continuous V. The factory makes that cut, so you need to order chevron boards for a chevron floor.
Can a herringbone floor go over concrete or in-floor heating?
Yes, in engineered hardwood, vinyl or laminate. Solid wood is not suited to it. We check the slab for moisture and flatness first, since a dip shows more under angled joints than under straight boards.
Do you lay herringbone in laminate and vinyl too?
Yes. You can get herringbone, chevron and parquet in hardwood, engineered hardwood, laminate and vinyl, and the pattern looks the same in each.
Will I need more material than for a straight floor?
Yes. Angled cuts produce more waste, so a pattern floor needs extra boxes. We work out the amount with you at the quote stage and order it in one go, so every box comes from the same production run.
Ready to get started?
Tell us about the rooms, the floor you have in mind and your timing. We’ll measure, talk through options with you and send a written quote.
