Invictus Herringbone Flooring UK (2026): The Complete Guide

Invictus delivers one of the most flexible herringbone parquet specifications in the UK premium LVT market: the same herringbone format is available in three tiers (Maximus at 0.55mm glue-down, Maximus Click at 0.55mm rigid-core click and Ultimus at 0.70mm glue-down) so you can specify exactly the wear-layer durability your project needs without trading down on the herringbone aesthetic. For buyers in the premium tier who want herringbone with tier-flexibility, Invictus is one of the strongest options on the market.

This guide covers the Invictus herringbone range across all three tiers, the difference between glue-down and click herringbone, installation considerations, room suitability and how Invictus herringbone compares to Karndean, Amtico, Polyflor, Textures and Elements alternatives. To browse and request a price, the Invictus category page lists every herringbone design we stock. For the wider Invictus verdict, see our Invictus LVT flooring review.

The Short Answer

Invictus herringbone is available across Maximus (0.55mm glue-down), Maximus Click (0.55mm rigid-core SPC click) and Ultimus (0.70mm glue-down) tiers, with the Belgian-engineered Scratchmaster surface technology and EIR (Embossed in Register) finish across the range. The mini-plank parquet format works at residential scale across hallways, kitchens, living rooms and dining rooms. For typical mid-tier residential herringbone, Maximus glue-down or Maximus Click. For retrofits over existing solid floors or upstairs installations, Maximus Click. For premium-tier residential and light-commercial herringbone where 0.70mm wear-layer durability matters, Ultimus.

Which Invictus Ranges Offer Herringbone?

Grosvenor’s Invictus herringbone (parquet) range covers three of the four Invictus tiers:

Invictus Maximus herringbone (glue-down). 0.55mm commercial-grade wear layer, EIR finish, Scratchmaster surface treatment, fully waterproof, R10 slip-rated. The most-specified Invictus herringbone tier for typical residential projects. Comparable to Karndean Van Gogh herringbone on wear-layer specification, with the Invictus brand-positioning angle.

Invictus Maximus Click herringbone (rigid-core SPC click). Same 0.55mm wear layer as glue-down Maximus, in rigid-core click format. Installs over existing solid floors without lifting, works well in upstairs rooms (rigid-core construction has integral acoustic properties), DIY-friendly for confident installers. Comparable to Karndean Van Gogh Rigid Core herringbone and Polyflor Camaro Rigid Core herringbone designs.

Invictus Ultimus herringbone (glue-down premium tier). 0.70mm commercial-grade wear layer – the heaviest-duty Invictus herringbone specification. Suited to high-traffic herringbone installations (hallways, busy family kitchens, light commercial environments) where 25+ year wear-layer service life matters. Comparable to Karndean Art Select herringbone and Amtico Form herringbone on wear-layer specification.

Invictus Primus herringbone is not in the Grosvenor range. For entry-tier herringbone at 0.30mm wear-layer specification, Karndean Knight Tile is the comparable alternative.

Glue-Down vs Rigid-Core Click for Herringbone

The Invictus herringbone range covers both major installation methods. Each suits different project contexts.

Glue-down Maximus or Ultimus herringbone is the right specification when the project is a new build, a major refurbishment with new screed, or any installation where the subfloor is being prepared from scratch. Glue-down delivers the thinnest threshold transitions, the seamless dryback finish across the herringbone pattern, and works best where the design priority is the most authentic parquet aesthetic. Glue-down also delivers better heat transfer over underfloor heating because there is no intermediate underlayment between the heated screed and the floor surface.

Maximus Click herringbone is the right specification when retrofitting over an existing solid floor that you do not want to lift, when the room is upstairs and acoustic underlay matters, when speed of installation is the priority, or when DIY-friendly fitting is wanted. The rigid-core SPC construction tolerates more subfloor variation than glue-down (the rigid core bridges minor undulations), and the click joint installation is meaningfully faster than glue-down adhesive installation.

For new-build kitchen-diner herringbone with UFH: glue-down Maximus or Ultimus. For first-floor herringbone above an existing solid floor: Maximus Click. For premium-residential whole-home herringbone with 25+ year service expectation: Ultimus glue-down. For project-flexibility across mixed installation contexts: specify Maximus Click in retrofit rooms and Maximus glue-down in new-screed rooms – same wear-layer specification across both for consistency.

The Scratchmaster Surface on Herringbone

Herringbone patterns concentrate wear at the diagonal joints between adjacent blocks, where foot traffic crosses the pattern axis at 45 degrees. This is meaningfully different from straight-lay plank where traffic runs along the plank length. For herringbone specifically, surface durability and scratch resistance matter more than they do for straight-lay plank.

Invictus’s Scratchmaster surface technology is positioned exactly for this. The named scratch-resistance treatment combined with the wear-layer specification at each tier means the floor maintains its appearance under the concentrated diagonal-joint wear that herringbone installations experience. For busy family-home herringbone, pet households or high-traffic hallway herringbone, the Scratchmaster positioning is a credible specification advantage.

Specification at a Glance

Format: Herringbone mini-plank parquet format across Maximus, Maximus Click and Ultimus tiers.

Wear layer: 0.55mm (Maximus and Maximus Click) or 0.70mm (Ultimus) transparent PUR-treated with the Scratchmaster surface technology.

Surface treatment: EIR (Embossed in Register) finish – embossed surface texture aligns with the printed design grain.

Edge profile: Bevelled (micro-bevel) on all four sides for visual definition between adjacent blocks.

Installation: Glue-down dryback (Maximus, Ultimus) or rigid-core SPC click (Maximus Click).

Slip resistance: R10 to DIN 51130.

Waterproof rating: Fully waterproof.

Underfloor heating: Compatible with wet and electric UFH subject to standard LVT temperature limits.

Engineering: Belgian-engineered.

Where Does Herringbone Work Best?

Hallways and entrance areas. The directional herringbone pattern draws the eye along the length of the hall, making narrow spaces feel longer and more deliberate. The 0.55mm (Maximus) or 0.70mm (Ultimus) wear-layer specification holds up to the highest-foot-traffic room in the house better than thinner wear-layer entry-tier alternatives. Browse hallway LVT for more context.

Kitchens and kitchen-diners. Herringbone adds visual interest to large floor areas where a standard plank layout can feel flat. Fully waterproof construction handles kitchen spills, the EIR surface and Scratchmaster treatment hide scratches and scuff marks well. Browse kitchen LVT.

Living rooms and open-plan spaces. Herringbone provides warmth and texture without dominating. In open-plan layouts, a herringbone floor can visually distinguish living, dining and kitchen zones while maintaining material continuity. Browse lounge LVT.

Bathrooms. Fully waterproof construction makes Invictus herringbone suitable for residential bathrooms. Choose darker tones for bathrooms because they mask water-mark visibility better than pale tones. Browse bathroom LVT.

Dining rooms. A herringbone floor under a dining table is a classic combination. The pattern provides visual depth that complements furniture without competing with it.

Light commercial environments. The 0.70mm Ultimus herringbone specification suits boutique retail, design-led offices, treatment rooms and similar light-commercial environments where the herringbone aesthetic matters and Class 32 light commercial use-area rating is sufficient.

Installation Considerations for Herringbone

Professional fitting is essential for herringbone. Herringbone layouts amplify any installation imprecision. Misaligned starting points, inaccurate spacing, irregular diagonal cuts at room perimeters and uneven adhesive application all show clearly in the finished pattern. A skilled LVT fitter with herringbone experience is significantly more important here than for a straight-lay plank floor.

Glue-down herringbone (Maximus, Ultimus) requires subfloor preparation. The subfloor must be flat (typically within 3mm over 2 metres), dry, sound and clean before installation begins. Latex screeding is often required on older subfloors to deliver the flatness that herringbone patterns demand. Subfloor preparation matters more for herringbone than for straight-lay plank because the pattern amplifies any visible high spots, dimples or telegraphed defects.

Click herringbone (Maximus Click) tolerates more subfloor variation. The rigid-core SPC construction bridges minor undulations and the click joints are more forgiving of small imperfections. For retrofits over existing solid floors where full subfloor preparation is not feasible, Maximus Click herringbone is the easier installation. Click installation also avoids adhesive setting time, which means the floor can be walked on immediately after fitting and the room reopened faster.

Underfloor heating. All three Invictus herringbone tiers are compatible with both wet and electric UFH subject to standard LVT temperature limits. Glue-down (Maximus, Ultimus) delivers better heat transfer because the floor bonds directly to the heated screed. Maximus Click’s rigid-core integral underlayment slightly insulates the screed – which means slower heat-up times and slightly reduced output for the same screed temperature.

Plan for additional waste. Herringbone installations typically waste more material than straight-lay plank because of perimeter diagonal cuts. Plan for approximately 10-15 per cent waste on herringbone vs the 5-7 per cent typical for straight-lay plank.

For wider LVT installation context, see our LVT installation guide.

How Invictus Herringbone Compares to Other UK Brands

Invictus herringbone vs Karndean herringbone

Karndean offers herringbone across Van Gogh (0.55mm glue-down + rigid-core click), and Art Select (0.70mm premium tier). Invictus herringbone matches Karndean tier-for-tier: Maximus matches Van Gogh, Maximus Click matches Van Gogh Rigid Core, Ultimus matches Art Select. Karndean wins on brand authority and design library depth. Invictus typically wins on price-per-specification and the Scratchmaster surface positioning. Detail in our Invictus vs Karndean comparison.

Invictus herringbone vs Amtico herringbone

Amtico herringbone spans Spacia (0.3mm), Form (0.7mm) and Signature (1.0mm, customisable borders, premium tier). Amtico Signature is unmatched for design-flexibility and bordered tile work, at premium pricing. Invictus Ultimus matches Amtico Form on wear-layer specification at a lower price. For design depth and Amtico brand authority, Amtico wins. For wear-layer-per-price, Invictus Ultimus is competitive.

Invictus herringbone vs Polyflor Camaro herringbone

Polyflor Camaro’s dedicated parquet formats (Cambridge Parquet 2251, Georgian Parquet 2252, the LPQ Large Parquet series) deliver UK-manufactured residential herringbone at 0.3mm wear layer. Invictus herringbone sits at higher wear-layer specifications (0.55mm Maximus through 0.70mm Ultimus) at higher pricing. For UK manufacturing credentials and the deepest residential parquet design library, Polyflor Camaro is the better choice. For wear-layer specification durability, Invictus wins. Detail in our Polyflor Camaro herringbone guide.

Invictus herringbone vs Textures herringbone

Textures herringbone at 0.55mm wear-layer matches Invictus Maximus on specification. Textures is a checkout-enabled brand at typically lower price; Invictus is the approved-retailer premium-tier brand. For value-led herringbone specification, Textures. For premium-tier brand-positioning herringbone, Invictus.

Invictus herringbone vs Elements herringbone

Elements Inspirations herringbone at 0.70mm wear-layer matches Invictus Ultimus on specification. Elements is checkout-enabled with online pricing; Invictus is the approved-retailer premium-tier brand. For value-led premium herringbone, Elements. For premium-tier brand-positioning herringbone, Invictus.

Invictus herringbone vs Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl herringbone

Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl is a click-format SPC range with multiple sub-collections including herringbone-format products. For click-format herringbone specifically, Quick-Step Alpha is the closest direct alternative to Invictus Maximus Click herringbone. Quick-Step has stronger consumer brand recognition. Invictus Maximus Click delivers comparable specification with the Belgian engineering positioning.

Common Buyer Questions

Which Invictus ranges offer herringbone? Maximus (0.55mm glue-down), Maximus Click (0.55mm rigid-core click) and Ultimus (0.70mm glue-down). Primus is not currently in the herringbone format at Grosvenor.

What size is Invictus herringbone? Mini-plank parquet format engineered for residential herringbone scale across all three tiers. The format reads correctly at typical room sizes from hallways through to open-plan living areas.

Is Invictus herringbone waterproof? Yes – fully waterproof construction across all three herringbone tiers. Suitable for residential kitchens, bathrooms and wet zones.

Can Invictus herringbone be installed over underfloor heating? Yes. Compatible with both wet and electric UFH systems subject to standard LVT temperature limits.

Does Invictus offer click-format herringbone? Yes – Invictus Maximus Click herringbone is the rigid-core SPC click variant at 0.55mm wear-layer specification.

How long does Invictus herringbone take to install? Pattern installations take 30-50 per cent longer than straight-lay plank because of the additional setting-out, cutting and edge work. For a typical 20 square metre hallway expect 1.5 to 2 days of skilled fitting on a properly-prepared subfloor for glue-down installations; click installations slightly faster.

Does Invictus herringbone cost more than straight-lay plank? The product price is the same per square metre at each tier, but expect higher fitting costs because pattern installation is slower. Always get a fitter quote that specifies the layout before signing off the design choice.

Where can I buy Invictus herringbone? Grosvenor Flooring supplies the complete Invictus herringbone range across Maximus, Maximus Click and Ultimus tiers. Browse the Invictus category page or request a price for your project via our enquiry form. Local supply and fit available across Altrincham, Manchester and Cheshire.

See Invictus Herringbone in Person

Herringbone is one of those patterns difficult to judge from online images. The scale, colour variation and visual rhythm of the finished floor only become clear at full size. Our Altrincham flooring showroom has the Invictus herringbone range on display alongside Karndean, Amtico, Polyflor, Textures, Elements and Brampton Chase herringbone alternatives so you can compare colour, texture and format directly at room scale in the same lighting. The showroom is open 24 hours a day via smart-lock access – request a one-time entry code through the smart showroom security code request page and visit at whatever time suits you.

For project pricing on Invictus herringbone, contact us via the enquiry form or WhatsApp with the tier you are interested in (Maximus, Maximus Click or Ultimus), the herringbone design, the square metreage and your project timeline. For supply and fit projects across the North West, see our dedicated where to buy Invictus in Altrincham page.

Related Reading

For the wider Invictus verdict, see our Invictus LVT flooring review. For the cleanest cross-shop, see Invictus vs Karndean. For click-format herringbone context (where Maximus Click is one of the strongest options Grosvenor stocks), see our click LVT flooring UK buyer’s guide. For cross-brand herringbone context, our herringbone flooring guide covers every brand we stock. For cross-brand LVT context, see our best LVT flooring in the UK 2026 guide.