Pattern laying done precisely.
The set-out is where most fitters get it wrong.
45° herringbone, chevron, brick bond and full parquet in oak, walnut and ash. Available in engineered or solid. The laying takes longer — which is exactly why the set-out and subfloor preparation matter so much.
Four formats. One standard of precision.
The pattern you choose depends on the room, the property and the look you want. We advise at the survey with sample boards.
Classic Herringbone
Planks laid at 45° to the room, creating the traditional V-pattern. The most widely requested parquet format — works in hallways, reception rooms and open-plan spaces.
Most popularChevron
Similar to herringbone but the plank ends are cut at an angle so the pattern forms a continuous arrowhead. A cleaner, more graphic look that suits contemporary interiors.
Modern lookBrick Bond
Planks laid in a staggered offset pattern — similar to brickwork. Less formal than herringbone, more directional than straight laying. Good for wide boards and open floors.
UnderstatedVersailles & Full Parquet
Geometric parquet panels — squares, windmill and Versailles patterns. More complex to cut and set out, but the result in a period property is difficult to match.
Statement roomsCustom sizing, multiple species, engineered or solid.
Available in engineered and solid
Engineered herringbone handles UFH and period subfloors. Solid herringbone is available for dry, stable subfloors that can carry the weight.
Custom sizing available
Finger parquet blocks, short planks and wide-board herringbone in a range of widths and lengths. We advise on the format that suits the room proportions.
Multiple species and finishes
Oak, walnut and ash in brushed, oiled, smoked and white-oiled finishes. Ted Todd and Havwoods ranges available on request.
Period property specialists
Victorian and Edwardian properties are where herringbone belongs. We work around period details and original features as a matter of course.
A subfloor imperfection that is invisible under straight boards is obvious under herringbone.
Pattern laying amplifies any subfloor movement, unevenness or preparation shortcut. A hollow board in a herringbone field creaks loudly. A misaligned starting point sends the pattern out of true across the entire room. We level to a tighter tolerance than straight-laid floors, plan the set-out on paper before starting, and never begin a pattern without a full dry run in the first row.
Six steps from consultation to a finished pattern floor.
Pattern & format consultation
We discuss the pattern, species, width and finish that suits the room. A sample board is brought to the visit. Pattern laying is more commitment than straight planks — getting the specification right before ordering matters.
Free visit, 45–60 minutesSet-out planning
The starting point and layout of the pattern is critical. An incorrectly set-out herringbone floor has awkward cuts at the sightlines you look at every day. We plan the set-out before the first board goes in.
Fixed quote within 3 working daysSubfloor preparation
Pattern laying magnifies any subfloor imperfection. We level to ±2mm per 2m — tighter than the standard for straight-laid boards — because a rocking or hollow board in a herringbone pattern is visible immediately.
1–2 days typicallyAcclimatisation
All material left on-site for 48–72 hours minimum. For solid herringbone blocks and finger parquet, we allow longer where the room has wide seasonal temperature swings.
48–72 hours minimumPrecision laying
Pattern laying is slower than straight laying. Expect one to two additional days per room. Every cut is made with a precision mitre saw. Border and feature strips set in after the main field is complete.
1–2 extra days per room vs straight laySanding & finishing
Hand-sanded at the edges where the drum sander cannot reach. First coat applied, left to cure, second coat applied. Skirting, beading and threshold bars fitted. Walk-through before we leave.
Written 1-year guarantee issued on completion4.7 stars from 386 verified reviews.
A selection of feedback from homeowners we have fitted herringbone and parquet for across London.
“Herringbone oak throughout the hallway and ground floor. The set-out was planned carefully — the pattern runs perfectly from the front door through to the kitchen. No awkward cuts anywhere you look.”
C.M.
Marylebone, London
“We specified smoked oak herringbone in the living room and it has completely transformed the space. The finishing was meticulous — hand-sanded at the edges, two full coats. Exactly what we wanted.”
K.B.
Chelsea, London
“The floor took longer than straight laying, as they told us it would. But the result is worth it. It looks like the original floor the house would have had. Well-made and properly done.”
N.F.
Fulham, London
Considering herringbone or parquet for your property?
Free subfloor survey and pattern consultation. Fixed-price quote within 3 working days.
Herringbone and parquet questions, answered.
Typically one to two additional days per room compared to straight-laid planks of the same area. The extra time is in the set-out, the angled cuts, and the hand-finishing at borders. We give you a specific timeline in the quote — not an estimate that somehow never grows.
Both. Engineered herringbone is more widely available and suitable for UFH and period subfloors. Solid herringbone blocks and finger parquet are available for stable, dry subfloors. We advise on the right specification at the survey.
In herringbone, the planks are cut at 90° and the ends butt against the sides of adjacent planks, creating a broken V-pattern. In chevron, the plank ends are cut at an angle so the tips of adjacent planks meet, forming a continuous arrowhead. Chevron has a cleaner, more graphic look. Herringbone is the more traditional format.
Narrow formats (60–80mm wide finger blocks) suit period rooms and smaller spaces. Wider planks (120–150mm) work well in larger, more contemporary rooms. Very wide herringbone planks can look disproportionate in a small hallway. We advise at the survey with samples.
Yes — if you specify engineered herringbone in a product formally approved for UFH. Solid herringbone over UFH is not recommended. We confirm UFH compatibility before specifying.
Both. We can source from our Ted Todd and Havwoods trade accounts, or fit material you have sourced yourself. If you supply, share the product specification before the survey so we can plan the set-out and subfloor preparation correctly.
Yes — engineered herringbone can be sanded two to three times; solid herringbone up to five to eight times depending on block thickness. The pattern does not change after sanding — it comes back to near-new condition each time.
Still have questions? Call 07405 739028 (Mon–Sat, 7am–7pm) or email info@corebuildgroup.co.uk
Looking for a straight-laid or waterproof alternative?
Ready to fit a pattern floor in your property?
Tell us the room, the pattern you have in mind, and whether there is underfloor heating. Free survey, fixed-price quote in three working days, real start date.