Parquet vs Herringbone: What’s the difference?

When you’re looking for a new floor, it’s easy to get lost in all the flooring terms thrown your way. And it certainly doesn’t help when terms are used incorrectly or interchangeably. Thanks to this, there’s a lot of uncertainty surrounding the herringbone vs parquet flooring debate.

In this blog post, we explain the difference between parquet and herringbone flooring, detailing how they compare and where they’re best suited in your home. Let’s jump in!

Jump To

What’s the Difference Between Herringbone and Parquet Flooring?
What is Parquet Flooring?
What is Herringbone Flooring?
Herringbone vs Parquet Comparison
Types of Flooring in Herringbone and Parquet Designs
When Not to Use Herringbone Flooring
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is Better for You?

What’s the Difference Between Herringbone and Parquet Flooring?

If you’re comparing parquet vs herringbone flooring, you might be surprised to learn there’s not a big difference between the two! Herringbone is part of the parquet flooring family. The term ‘parquet’ covers a range of different designs, including herringbone. An easy way to think about it is while all herringbone floors are parquet, not all parquet is herringbone.

What is Parquet Flooring?

Parquet flooring is typically made up of small wooden blocks and planks. These are arranged in a variety of intricate, decorative patterns.

Parquet was notably recognised in the 16th-17th centuries when it was installed in the Palace of Versailles. The intricate Versailles pattern was used to replace the marble floors, and since then, it’s been used to add elegance and beauty to homes.

The secret weapon of parquet flooring is its versatility. Parquet can be laid in a variety of patterns to create different effects and styles, including herringbone. This adds an interesting twist to the herringbone vs parquet flooring debate.

Chevron is a close cousin to herringbone. Each plank is sloped to meet in the middle and is cut at a 45-degree angle, creating a continuous arrow-like pattern.
Basketweave is a pattern where rectangular blocks are grouped and interwoven to resemble a woven basket.
Versailles is a highly intricate pattern that features interlocking squares and diagonal lines.

Other designs include the double herringbone and subway, also known as brick. But the best thing about parquet flooring is you can customise the design to fit your home in any way you can imagine.

What is Herringbone Flooring?

Herringbone is another popular pattern in parquet flooring. It’s similar to chevron, but herringbone is cut at a straight 90-degree angle, making its v-shaped pattern staggered to create a zig-zag effect.

Like parquet flooring in general, the herringbone pattern has a rich history that dates back to ancient Roman road construction. It was discovered that laying bricks in this interlocking pattern created a more stable and durable surface for busy streets.

Herringbone remains one of the most recognisable and sought-after parquet styles. Its structured and dynamic design makes it ideal for a variety of interiors, including traditional and modern. Whether in classic oak, rich walnut or contemporary light tones, herringbone flooring adds depth and dimension that makes rooms appear larger and more refined. This might be why there’s some confusion between herringbone vs parquet flooring.

Herringbone vs Parquet Comparison

Feature	Parquet Flooring	Herringbone Flooring
Definition	Geometric-patterned wooden flooring.	A zig-zag patterned type of parquet.
Aesthetic Appeal	A variety of decorative patterns for any style.	Sophisticated, dynamic and makes spaces feel larger.
Room Suitability	Best for large spaces, living rooms and hallways.	Ideal for most rooms, especially small and narrow spaces.
Cost	Varies by style and material (£19.99m² – £99.99m²).	Varies by material (£26.99m² – £79.99m²).
Installation Difficulty	Complex pattern alignment is best left to professionals.	Easier than some parquet styles but still requires skill.
Maintenance	Regular sweeping, vacuuming and careful mopping.	Similar maintenance – its simpler pattern may be easier to clean.
Durability	Highly durable, but it may need refinishing over time.	Equally durable, withstands heavy use when properly maintained.

Types of Flooring in Herringbone and Parquet Designs

The best part about parquet flooring is it’s available in a variety of materials. No matter what you’re after in terms of durability, cost or maintenance, you’ll be able to find the perfect parquet flooring for you and your home.

Solid wood flooring in parquet vs herringbone designs:

Adds luxury and value to homes, making it an excellent long-term investment.
Can be sanded and refinished multiple times, extending its lifespan for decades.
Offers rich textures and natural grains that enhance the beauty of any space.
Is susceptible to moisture and temperature changes.
Is typically more expensive.

Solid wood is best suited for living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms and period properties.

Engineered wood in herringbone and parquet patterns is:

More affordable than solid wood while maintaining its authenticity.
Less prone to warping in humid conditions thanks to its construction.
Only able to be sanded a couple of times, though this depends on the thickness of the top veneer.

Engineered wood is best for open-plan living areas and homes with underfloor heating.

LVT (luxury vinyl tiles) in the herringbone vs parquet flooring debate is:

Water-resistant, stain-resistant and scratch-resistant.
A more budget-friendly choice.
Easy to clean and maintain.
Unable to be refinished and might need to be replaced after years of wear.
Able to mimic the appearance of real wood flooring, but it isn’t authentic.

LVT is best for kitchens, bathrooms, utility rooms and rental properties.

Laminate parquet and herringbone flooring is:

Resistant to scratches and dents.
A cost-effective alternative to other floors, while still offering a stylish appearance.
DIY-friendly as it’s quick and easy to install.
Not as durable as LVT, engineered wood or solid wood.
Not waterproof, but it’s usually water-resistant

Laminate is best for hallways, living rooms and bedrooms.

When Not to Use Herringbone Flooring

Herringbone flooring is a stunning choice for most homes, but sometimes it just isn’t the right fit for a space.

Small or busy rooms can feel cluttered with herringbone flooring. This is because the zig-zag pattern can make these rooms feel busier than they actually are.

Top tips for using herringbone in small spaces:

Avoid darker shades and overly narrow planks. Instead, choose lighter wood tones, such as pale oak or ash, to make your space feel brighter and more open.
You can also use wider herringbone planks to create the illusion of more space.

If you’re on a budget, it’s important to understand that herringbone is more expensive than standard plank flooring. This is because there’s more material waste due to the angled cuts, it takes longer to install and if you’re not feeling confident, you might want to consider hiring a skilled professional.

It’s best to avoid it if you don’t have much wiggle room in your budget and want a simple, DIY-friendly installation.
A solution to the expense would be choosing a more cost-effective material like laminate or LVT herringbone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is herringbone flooring more expensive than parquet?

If you planned to use cost as a deciding factor between parquet vs herringbone, then you’re out of luck. It isn’t a simple yes or no answer!

Herringbone can be more expensive than certain patterns, such as chevron. But it can also be cheaper than others, like Versailles.

When it comes to installation, the more complex patterns will cost more to install. As herringbone is a bit more straightforward, it shouldn’t be too costly.

You also need to factor in the materials used: laminate and LVT are more affordable than engineered and solid wood.

Does herringbone make a room look bigger or smaller?

Herringbone can make a room feel bigger by:

Using the zig-zag pattern to draw the eye across the room, which makes the space appear longer and more dynamic.
Using lighter shades, such as oak or soft grey, to reflect more light, which creates a brighter and more open feel.
Running herringbone diagonally or along the longest wall also helps to elongate the space.

Herringbone can make a room feel smaller by:

Using darker wood tones like deep browns and mahogany, which absorb more light.
Using smaller and narrower planks to draw the eye in instead of out, which makes the space feel more compact.
Running herringbone against the longest wall creates a more compact look.

Is parquet flooring outdated?

Despite its lengthy history, parquet flooring isn’t considered outdated.

Since the late 1900s, parquet flooring has continued to rise in popularity. Even 30-40 years later, parquet continues to experience a major revival!

This is because parquet flooring has been adapted to modern-day trends, experiencing a lot of new interpretations such as new finishes, colours and materials that complement a contemporary aesthetic.

What’s the difference between herringbone and chevron?

Herringbone planks are laid in a staggered, interlocking pattern at 90-degree angles. This creates a more zig-zag effect, giving a sense of depth and texture to your space.

Chevron planks are cut at a 45-degree angle (sometimes a 60-degree one) so that the ends form a continuous V-shape. This creates a clean and seamless arrow pattern.

Which is Better for You?

Choosing between herringbone vs parquet flooring’s variety of patterns comes down to personal style, space and durability needs. The good news? Herringbone is a type of parquet flooring, meaning you don’t have to choose between the two. You just need to decide which pattern suits your home best. But even that can be tricky!

So, how do you choose which parquet floor is best for you?

If you prefer a classic yet lively look, then herringbone flooring is perfect, thanks to its texture and movement.
If you want an intricate and structured style, then you’ll want a beautiful chevron floor.
If you’re after grandeur and luxury, then you can’t go wrong with the elegance of Versailles parquet flooring.
Think about where your floor is going. Do you need the extra stability of an engineered wood floor or the waterproof properties of LVT?

With this in mind, you should be able to figure out which style of parquet flooring is better for you and your home. Whether it’s herringbone or another pattern, there’s a floor for everyone!

Get Social

Still wondering about parquet vs herringbone flooring? Get in touch with our friendly flooring experts, they’re always happy to help. You can also take advantage of our unlimited free samples. Order as many as you like and compare them until you find your perfect parquet!

Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram and TikTok, where you can keep up to date with all the latest news, blog posts and helpful tips. We’d love to see what parquet you decided on! Tag us on Instagram at #MyLuxuryFloor and mention us on TikTok @luxuryflooringfurnishing.

Still Exploring Flooring Options?

Check out our other buying guides for more flooring inspiration and ideas.

The post Parquet vs Herringbone: What’s the difference? appeared first on Blog & Advice Centre – Luxury Flooring.

This post appeared first on https://www.luxuryflooringandfurnishings.co.uk