Installing Hardwood Flooring Patterns

Installing hardwood flooring can be tricky and is not recommended to be done by just anyone. Every plank of hardwood flooring is unique, each with its own pattern, texture, color and design. Through this article, we’ll look at the steps to take to install new hardwood floors with different pattern options to consider to give your space a unique design. 

Patterns

While a straight pattern is considered to be standard when installing hardwood floors, here are a few other patterns and designs to give your home a custom look. These patterns are listed in order of their complexity with Brick being relatively easy and Herringbone being quite complicated. 

1. Brick. This pattern consists of placing five identical pieces of hardwood side-by-side to form a square. The, laying an additional five pieces of hardwood side-by-side to form a square, except in the opposite direction. This pattern is repeated until all the flooring has been laid. It is often referred to as the “brick” pattern because of the size of the wood planks and the pattern resembling bricks. If this design has been installed correctly, each section of five bricks should form a perfect square and the flooring is symmetrical.
2. Chevron. This pattern, also referred to as “diagonal” occurs when wood planks are placed in a diagonal fashion, alternating in direction. To effectively install this pattern, each wood plank should be identical in size and shape, and appear to be in columns of all one direction. Then, the next column will be facing the opposite direction. Edges in each column should perfectly align with the edges of the other columns on either side – this gives it a seamless look. 
3. Basketweave. One of the more complex patterns, the “basketweave” consists of both rectangular and square pieces of wood. Every rectangular piece and square piece will be consistent in size and shape. To start the installation of this intricate design, you’ll lay down a “T” shape using 2 rectangular pieces. Then, placing additional “T” shapes on either side. The gaps will then get filled with the square shapes. This pattern is repeated for the entire installation and should resemble a basketweave. 
4. Herringbone. Often confused with “chevron” for its diagonal design, this pattern adds intrigue and texture to any space. Instead of being laid in columns of diagonal planks, the “herringbone” design features a broken zig-zag, giving the planks the appearance that they are stacked, much like a staircase. Because of this, it can be a complicated pattern to install, especially for beginners. 

These four patterns are just a few of the more popular flooring designs you’ll find today. Patterns can range from simple horizontal or diagonal to more complex and creative designs that are distinctive to your home. Although, much like anything else, the more intricate pattern you choose, the more difficult it is to install, the longer it’ll take to install and the more money it’ll cost to install. 

Looking for a professional to install your new hardwood floors? Look no further than Zack Hardwood Flooring. Our flooring experts are here to help you select the right wood pattern for your space!