Chevron

Chevron flooring: the sharper cousin of herringbone

Chevron flooring uses blocks with angled ends that meet in one continuous point, like a row of arrows. It is crisper and more directional than herringbone, and it rewards careful planning.

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Illustrative interior

01The geometry

What sets chevron flooring apart

In chevron flooring, each block’s ends are cut at an angle to the board’s length — most often 45°, though 30° and 60° cuts also exist — so the pieces meet end to end along a straight centerline. The result is an unbroken V that runs the length of the room. In herringbone, the blocks overlap at 90° and the zigzag is broken.

A 45° cut gives the classic right-angled V and feels bold and graphic. A 30° cut sets the boards closer to the length of the room, so the points grow longer and the floor reads quieter, nearer to planks with movement; a 60° cut turns them further across the room for a wider, flatter V. Because the angled ends are factory-milled, chevron is generally a more expensive pattern than herringbone, and each collection offers specific angles — ask which are current.

Chevron is one of several parquet flooring patterns; ask which angles and stave sizes are in current collections. It also pairs well with wide plank oak in adjoining rooms: chevron in the hallway, calm planks in the bedrooms, both in the same tone.

Because the points must run perfectly straight, chevron depends more on the installer and the slab than any other pattern. A wall that is out of square by half an inch over the room becomes visible at the edges, so we discuss a perimeter border with you and your installer before ordering. Book a consultation to compare the angles available, and sketch the kitchen that adjoins it in our kitchen configurator.

02Where it works

Rooms where chevron earns its place

Hallways and galleries
The arrow of the pattern leads you down the corridor; a narrow hall feels purposeful.
Long living rooms
Points aimed at the view or fireplace give a large room one clear direction.
Dining rooms
Centered on the table, chevron frames the room like a rug.
Minimal interiors
With a pale oak and matte finish, chevron adds order without ornament.

03Planning

Chevron parquet planning notes

End angle: Commonly 45° to the board’s length; 30° and 60° cuts in some collections
Centerline: Critical: the points must run straight, so the installer works from a single snapped line
Room alignment: Best centered on the room or on the main axis; off-center points are obvious
Waste: About 10–15%, similar to herringbone
Installation: Usually glued down over a tested, flat slab

Open living room and staircase with natural oak floors and panoramic windows — Illustrative interior

04Chevron or herringbone

How to choose between the two

Choose herringbone if you want texture and softness that suits almost any room and period. Choose chevron if you want direction and order, or if the room is long and you want to emphasize its length.

Seeing both at full scale usually settles it. Ask to compare samples from current collections side by side, and in your 3D design we can show the pattern running into the kitchen.

FAQ

Questions, answered

Still deciding? Call +1 (213) 776-0000 or send us your plan.

Ask a designer

Is chevron or herringbone more expensive?

Chevron is usually more expensive in material because the angled ends are factory-cut, and both take longer to install than straight planks. We price your measured area once you choose a collection.

Does chevron flooring go out of style?

Chevron has been laid in European houses for centuries. A modern stave size and calm oak tone keep it current; very dark or high-gloss finishes date faster.

Can chevron change direction between rooms?

It can, but it looks most deliberate when the pattern turns at a doorway with a border or a clean threshold. We plan those junctions before installation.