Herringbone Wood Flooring

Herringbone wood flooring is made from rectangular blocks of wood laid so the end of one block meets the side of the next, creating a repeated zigzag pattern across the floor. Ted Todd offers herringbone in narrow, traditional and oversized block widths, in both solid and engineered constructions.

Both patterns use angled blocks, but the joins are different. Herringbone blocks have square cut ends and are laid at right angles to each other, creating a broken, zigzag effect. Chevron blocks are cut at an angle and meet edge to edge, forming a continuous, unbroken v shape rather than a stepped one.

Engineered herringbone is more stable and copes better with underfloor heating, making it the better choice for most floors.

Most Ted Todd herringbone floors are suitable for use over underfloor heating, particularly in engineered constructions. We recommend checking the specification of your chosen floor before installation, as this varies across the range.

Herringbone blocks can be laid in up to 20 different patterns, from the traditional zigzag to variations such as herringbone with a square insert, double herringbone, basket weave, straight lay and chequerboard. Our guide to herringbone patterns covers each in detail.

Herringbone flooring should only ever be installed by an approved, certified installer, since the staggered pattern requires precise setting out. Our fitting and installation guide covers the full process, and we recommend checking whether your chosen floor is suitable for underfloor heating before work begins.

Herringbone does not need a large room to make an impact. In an expansive space, more repeats of the pattern give the design room to breathe, showing off the texture and edge detail of each block, and can make a large room feel more intimate. In a smaller space, the same repetition has the opposite effect, drawing the eye outward and making the room feel larger than it is. As an enduring design that has worked well for centuries, herringbone suits both classic and contemporary interiors. For a traditional look, choose a floor with a more undulating texture and a hand rolled edge. For a contemporary space, a sharp micro bevelled edge and a lightly brushed texture give a cleaner result.

Ted Todd herringbone wood flooring is available across a wide range of tones, from white and light through to medium, grey, dark and black. Samples are available for every colour, and we recommend seeing them in person, since the natural variation in real wood is difficult to judge from a screen. White and light herringbone floors suit a contemporary, pared back look, and work particularly well in Scandi style or minimalist interiors. Medium toned herringbone sits between light and dark, with a neutral, natural quality that brings warmth to a room without dominating it. Dark and black herringbone floors bring depth and contrast to a space, working well as a strong base for bolder furnishings. Grey herringbone suits contemporary interiors, giving a room a clear identity without leaning warm or cool.