Pattern floors, supplied and fitted
Herringbone, chevron and parquet floors in solid or engineered wood, laid accurately and finished neatly.
Herringbone wood flooring is one of the most requested patterns for living rooms and hallways, and one of the least forgiving to lay. The pattern shows every small error, so the setting out matters as much as the boards.
We supply and fit herringbone, chevron and parquet floors in solid and engineered wood, in homes across Wandsworth and the rest of London.
Rectangular blocks laid at right angles, with the end of each block butting against the side of the next. The classic zigzag.
Blocks cut at an angle so the ends meet in a continuous "V" with no break. It has a sharper, more continuous look but needs precise cutting.
A wider family of patterns made from small wood blocks, including basket weave and other geometric layouts.
A pattern floor is laid from the centre of the room outward, not from a wall. Walls in older Wandsworth homes are rarely straight, so we find the true centre line, dry-lay the first rows and adjust so the pattern looks balanced when you stand in the doorway. Getting this right at the start avoids awkward slivers at the edges.
Pattern floors also need a flat subfloor. We check this at the survey, because small dips become visible as lipped joints once blocks are laid.
Both work. Engineered herringbone is dimensionally stable, which suits flats, open-plan areas and underfloor heating. Solid blocks give a traditional floor and suit period rooms without heating. Block size, wood species and finish all change the look. A narrow block reads as delicate, a larger block as bolder.
Oak is the most common wood for patterned floors, in tones from pale and natural to smoked and dark. Seeing real samples in your own room is the best way to decide, so ask about samples when you book the survey.
Hallways and living rooms are the usual choice, where the pattern is seen from the doorway. In smaller rooms, a finer block and a lighter tone keep things calm. In long hallways, the direction of the pattern changes how the space reads. We discuss layout at the survey, including how the floor will meet the stairs and adjoining rooms.
Block size changes the whole character of a pattern floor. Smaller blocks look finer and more traditional, larger blocks look bolder and more modern. Tones run from pale natural oak to smoked and dark browns, and finishes such as hardwax oil give a natural matt look while lacquer gives a harder surface. Because the pattern repeats across the room, a small sample can mislead, so look at a larger piece in your own light.
Pattern floors show every dip, so the subfloor must be flat and dry. We check levels and moisture at the survey and plan any levelling. Over underfloor heating, engineered blocks designed for heated floors are the usual route. Floor height at doors, stairs and kitchen units also needs planning because blocks add thickness.
How a pattern ends matters as much as how it starts. Options include a straight cut to the wall with skirting, a border of plain boards around the room, or a clean threshold where the pattern meets another floor. We talk through the choice at the survey so the finished room looks planned, not improvised.
A herringbone or chevron floor is quoted from the room, not a price list: block size, pattern, area and subfloor all affect the price. Book a free quote and survey and we will put it in writing. Boards carry the manufacturer's guarantee, and R3 Carpentry, who carry out the work, are fully insured.
People asking about herringbone floors in Wandsworth usually have a particular room in mind: a Victorian or Edwardian reception room, a hallway that gets noticed first, or an open-plan new-build flat. Blocks are cut from hardwood, most often oak, and the pattern suits all three. In a period house the pattern can echo the proportions of the room. In a new build it adds character to plain walls and large windows.
Herringbone and chevron blocks are normally glued to a prepared base, and a floor with a tongue and groove can also be secret-nailed to a suitable subfloor. A screed must be dry and may need a damp-proof membrane. On timber floors we usually lay plywood first so the pattern sits flat and stable. We confirm the method and any levelling at the survey, and a staircase landing or doorway can be finished with a border so the pattern ends neatly.
Typically yes, because the setting out and cutting take longer. The price is set in your written quote after the survey, based on the actual rooms.
Often, using engineered blocks suited to heating. We check the board specification and the heating system before recommending anything.
No. We supply and fit new herringbone, chevron and parquet floors. We do not offer sanding or restoration.
Oak is the usual choice for its stability and range of tones. Other woods are available. We go through options and samples at the survey.
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