A Detailed Guide To Install Herringbone Wood Pattern Floor

Ready to make a flooring investment? You can get a timeless and classical look by choosing a herringbone floor pattern. It is one of the most popular floorings to improve your property’s aesthetic and worth. With this, you will bring contemporary and traditional floor styles to your home.

The herringbone floor features a zigzag pattern that adds a sense of movement. It will give a feeling of warmth and luxury to elevate the look of the space. Thus, it doesn’t surprise why herringbone hardwood floors have seen such great popularity. So are you ready to give your property a big change? Worried about the installation? Follow the installation? Read ahead to get the guide you need for desired results.

Easy steps on how to install a herringbone floor

Herringbone pattern flooring, no doubt, is tough to install. Even an inch misplacement can destroy the entire pattern. But relax, the Peterson method will offer you the support you need. Follow the guide to install the flooring perfectly.

1. Start by marking the centerline

Draw a line in the center of the room along its length. Now you must use a trammel to mark a line perpendicular to it. Now comes the tough part. You must use the point on one end of the trammel’s center line to draw a semicircle. While from the other end, go ahead and draw intersecting arcs. Done with it? Now take a straightedge to connect the points at the section where the arcs intersect.
You can now easily measure the perpendicular lines for creating the rectangular field the herringbone slat will occupy.

2. Decide the slat length

Stay careful, as the slats must be cut at a length double the width. Now unless you are a genius in mathematics, a genius needs to lay out the pieces to understand the approximate lengths that will fit within the field. Go ahead and use a rafter square to put the first slat at a 45-degree angle to the center line. Now you need to zigzag to the side.
Go ahead and overlap your slate pieces at 90 degrees. Make sure to adjust the length. Once you have achieved the desired result, note down the exact length and the measurement.

3. Make a test panel

Now that you have slat length, you need to measure and mark one strip. Make sure you keep the tongue end as waste. Now cut off the excess. Go ahead and take a rubber mallet to dry fit the strip number. It must equal the length of the test slat.
Ensure that the tongue of the test slab and the slots end are perfectly flushed with the panel’s edge. If not, cut another piece and test again.

4. Cut the slats

Once you are satisfied with the length of the slat, bring together the next block and cut the remaining slat. Make sure you chop off the end of the tongue.

5. Add Groves

Want to ensure the flooring looks flawless? Always remember herringbone pattern wood floors will require grooves at both ends for proper interlocking. Go ahead and use the slat groove to determine the depth of the flooring router. You can clamp one slide to the workbench and then route the end. Try fitting a tongue inside the new groove to check if it’s ok. Now start with the rest.

6. Mark the working distance

In the next step, you need to draw parallel working lines on each side of the centerline. Make sure it aligns with the slat’s corner as you install it. Mark a 45-degree angle from one corner for your first working line.
To start with the second, draw a line from the opposite corner, ensuring it intersects with the first line. Now draw a line from the T intersection perpendicular to the slat edge. From this point of the edge unit, draw a line parallel to the top of the T. It will represent the center line.

7. Mark the flooring

Now put the slat to guarantee the last line you drew is over the centerline. Make sure to mark each corner of the slat at multiple intervals.

8. Install the nailing blank

Bring a circular saw to cut the factory corner of 3/4 inch plywood into a right triangle. Make sure the two sides match the length of the slat. Now, go ahead and mark the center line of this blank. Here, you need to line it on one of the working lines.
Take time to position the blank’s long edge on the field’s top border. Go ahead and screw it to the subfloor. Finally, route a groove along the two forward edges of the blank.

9. Establish the pattern

Put the first slat along the blank’s side, covering the center line. Make sure the tongue faces outside. Now lay the second slot along the other side, overlapping the end of the first. Double check the corners are well aligned with the working lines and the tongue is facing out.

10. Put the nails in place

Use a flooring liner and strike it with a mallet to drive a nail every five inches along the slate.

11. Complete a line and reverse the plank

When installing the third slat, ensure it overlaps the second slat’s end. Also, the 4th slat must overlap the end of the third. You need to continue this part until it reaches the border. Now unscrew the blank and carefully reverse it. You need to place it against the last slat tongue. Finally, screw it to the subfloor. Make sure you continue making lines until all the slats are finished.

12. Backfill the empty triangles

Remember, it’s not possible to nail into the groove of a slat, so you will have to reverse the direction to cover the area left by the blank. For this, you will require a flooring spline. It will allow you to put together two grooves.
Now run a glue bead in the groove of the installed slat. Here you can insert the spline and nail it as you would do to any other slat. Make sure to continue working on the tongue by adding more slats until the field’s border is well covered.

13. Establish the overlap for the removal

In this step, you need to see the point where the planks overlap the field’s border. Go ahead and trim them to achieve a straight line. You can use painter’s tape to mark the cut line. It will guard against splinters.

14. Remove the excess

You can use a molding strip to narrow down the plywood length. Now use a circular saw against the strip and drip the excess to create a long cutting guide. Line it over the tape and use a spacer. You need to screw it well to the subfloor, where it will extend past the installed flooring.
Use your circular saw and adjust the blade depth to a hair or more depending on the thickness of the slat. Now finally, trim the border and do the same thing on the other three sides of the field.

15. Add Grooves to the Edges

Once the wood floor herringbone pattern is installed, you need to use the router to cut a groove around the perimeter. You can choose to add an apron of long flooring strips to create the frame for herringbone.

16. Add a feature strip

Use a wood glue bead in the groove along the sides of the herringbone field. Make sure you insert a long spline and then tap in place. Repeat it for the other three sides. Go ahead and bring a decorative accent for defining the edge of the field.

17. Nail the border pieces

For the last step of herringbone pattern wood flooring installation, you must measure and cut to ensure a close fit. You can use a nailer for installing each strip so that it easily overlaps the end of the next. Continue nailing the border pieces until the final result is achieved.

Design ideas for herringbone floors

Herringbone pattern floors can look great in every room when you decide on the right type of design. You need to go out of the box and try something new for a great look.

• Bring a drastic color transaction by adding a unique wood transition. Try out herringbone tile to herringbone wood installation for a great look.
• Do not be afraid to go bold. Mix dark and light colors together to create a great final result.
• Amplify the design by adding multiple tones and colors of herringbone pattern.
• Consider adding a dark color herringbone floor pattern inside a large open space for a refined lock.
• Incorporate intentional gaps in the wood floor herringbone pattern to make a statement.
• Make your herringbone flooring refined by incorporating short and thin wood planks.

frequently asked questions

Q1. What are the pros & cons of herringbone flooring?

Ans:The beautiful aesthetic, classic look and durability of the herringbone floor pattern make it an ideal choice for every space. However, the tough installation and the excessively high cost are drawbacks. Thus, not everyone can afford the flooring.

Q2. Does it take more flooring to make a herringbone pattern?

Ans:You can expect to pay 30% more for a herringbone pattern wood floor. This is because you will require about 20-25% more boards for the perfect layout. Also adding to it will be the labor cost.

Q3. How hard is it to do herringbone flooring?

Ans:There is no wonder the herringbone floor can look great when installed properly. But it also comes with a lot of challenges for inexperienced installers. Thus, taking professional support is always recommended.

Conclusion

Herringbone floor pattern is all about luxury and warmth. But it also comes with a huge challenge of installation. Maintaining perfect angles is not easy. So when you decide to upgrade your flooring, consider getting professional support. It will help get the best outcome.

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