Wood Effect Herringbone Laminate Flooring
Wood effect herringbone laminate flooring brings one of the most sought-after floor designs within easy reach. The herringbone pattern, formed by laying rectangular blocks in a broken zig-zag, has decorated grand homes for centuries. Laminate lets you recreate that look for a fraction of the cost of a real parquet floor. Under a realistic oak print sits a hard-wearing laminate board, so you get the drama of a herringbone floor with the durability and easy care that modern laminate is known for.
Our herringbone laminate is led by the Lignum collection, whose Lignum Fusion range covers the pattern in a wide choice of oak tones. Quick-Step and Evergreen add further options across different price points. All of it is available to buy online with free UK delivery, so you can bring a designer parquet look home without the designer price.
Browse the full herringbone laminate range below to compare oak tones, thicknesses and finishes, then order online for delivery across the UK.
What Is Herringbone Laminate?
Herringbone is a parquet pattern made by laying rectangular blocks at right angles to one another, so they step across the floor in a distinctive zig-zag. Herringbone laminate takes that classic design and prints it onto hard-wearing laminate boards that click together to form the pattern. The result is the grandeur and detail of a traditional parquet floor with none of the cost or upkeep of solid wood blocks. It is a real design statement: a herringbone floor draws the eye, adds a sense of movement and can make a room feel larger and more considered, which is why it has become one of the most popular looks in home flooring.
Herringbone Colours: Grey, Oak and More
Oak is the natural home of herringbone. It comes in a full range of tones. Light and natural oak keeps the pattern feeling fresh and Scandinavian, while grey herringbone has become hugely popular for modern interiors, where the cool tone shows off the zig-zag beautifully. For a warmer, more traditional feel, richer and dark oak tones give a herringbone floor real depth and a sense of age. Because the pattern already adds so much interest, many people choose a mid oak and let the herringbone do the talking.
Thickness and Waterproof Options
Two practical choices are worth knowing about. A thicker board, such as a 12mm herringbone, feels more solid and substantial underfoot and gives the floor a premium, weighty feel that suits the pattern. If you want herringbone in a kitchen or anywhere prone to spills, a water-resistant or waterproof herringbone laminate handles moisture far better than a standard board. Most of our herringbone uses a click system, so the blocks lock together into the pattern without glue.
Laying Herringbone Laminate
Herringbone is more involved to lay than a straight plank floor, so it is worth knowing what is involved. The pattern is set out from the centre line of the room and worked outwards, so it stays balanced and symmetrical. The angled blocks mean more cutting around the edges. A click herringbone system makes this a lot easier than gluing individual blocks, but it still rewards patience and careful setting out. If you are not confident tackling the pattern yourself, it is worth asking an experienced floor layer to lay it, because a herringbone floor laid well is a floor for life.
Herringbone vs Chevron and Plank
It is easy to confuse herringbone with chevron. In herringbone, rectangular blocks meet at right angles to form a stepped zig-zag. In chevron, the ends of the blocks are cut at an angle so they meet in a continuous point, making a sharper, more directional arrow. We offer the classic herringbone pattern in laminate; if you prefer the pointed chevron look, it is available in our LVT range. For a simpler, more traditional floor, a straight plank laminate lays the same wood look end to end. Parquet covers the wider family of block patterns.
Where to Use Herringbone Laminate
Herringbone is most often chosen where a floor is on show. It looks stunning in a hallway, where it makes a striking first impression. In a lounge or dining room it lifts the whole space. In a kitchen or open-plan area, a waterproof herringbone gives you the same wow factor with the water resistance a busy room needs. Because the pattern makes a room feel larger, it works particularly well in smaller rooms and narrow spaces that could otherwise feel plain.
Laminate and Underfloor Heating
Most of our herringbone laminate works with both electric and wet underfloor heating, subject to a maximum surface temperature of around 27C and the manufacturer’s guidance. Let the boards acclimatise in the room first and follow the installation instructions supplied with your chosen range. A warm herringbone floor underfoot is a lovely finish to a room where the floor is already the star.
Herringbone Laminate vs LVT and Engineered Wood
If you have set your heart on a herringbone floor, it is worth seeing how laminate compares with herringbone LVT and real engineered wood herringbone. The table shows where each stands.
| Feature | Herringbone laminate | Herringbone LVT | Engineered wood herringbone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical cost | Most affordable | Mid-range | Premium |
| The look | Realistic oak print in a herringbone pattern | Realistic; warmer underfoot | Real oak parquet blocks |
| Durability | Very hard-wearing | Hard-wearing | Softer; can be sanded and refinished |
| Water resistance | Water-resistant; waterproof ranges available | Fully waterproof | Not waterproof |
| Best for | A designer look on a sensible budget | A waterproof designer floor | A genuine parquet floor |
For the herringbone look at the best price, laminate is the obvious choice. Herringbone LVT costs a little more but is fully waterproof, while engineered wood gives you real oak parquet blocks for a premium.
The Laminate Ranges We Stock
The Lignum collection is the heart of our herringbone laminate. Its Lignum Fusion range offers the pattern in a broad choice of oak tones, from light and natural through to grey and darker, characterful woods. Quick-Step and Evergreen add further herringbone options at different price points. Every range is available to buy online, so you can compare oak tones, thicknesses and specifications side by side before you order.
How to Buy
Every herringbone laminate we sell can be bought online with free UK delivery across mainland Britain. We do not offer laminate samples, but you can preview any floor in your own room using our AI room visualiser on the product pages before you order. Choose your oak tone and thickness, order the quantity you need for your room and we will deliver it to your door.
Key Takeaways
- Herringbone laminate gives the look of a traditional parquet floor at a fraction of the cost.
- Grey and oak are the most popular herringbone tones; a mid oak lets the pattern lead.
- A 12mm or waterproof herringbone suits busier and spill-prone rooms.
- Herringbone is more involved to lay than plank and is set out from the centre of the room.
- Buy online with free UK delivery and preview any floor with the AI room visualiser.
Explore Related Categories
- By colour: grey, dark or natural laminate.
- Other formats and effects: plank, parquet or stone and tile laminate.
- By performance: waterproof, click or 12mm laminate.
- By room: hallway, lounge, kitchen or dining room laminate.
- Prefer a different floor type? See herringbone LVT or engineered wood herringbone.
- Wider context: back to laminate flooring.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is herringbone laminate flooring?
Herringbone laminate is laminate flooring that recreates the classic herringbone parquet pattern, where rectangular blocks are laid at right angles to form a zig-zag. A realistic wood print sits on a hard-wearing laminate board, so you get the grand, designer look of a real parquet floor at a fraction of the cost and with far less upkeep.
What is the difference between herringbone and chevron?
They are two versions of the same idea. In herringbone, rectangular blocks meet at right angles to create a stepped zig-zag. In chevron, the block ends are cut at an angle so they meet in a continuous point, giving a sharper, more directional arrow shape. Herringbone is the more traditional of the two and is the pattern we offer in laminate.
Is herringbone laminate harder to lay than plank?
Yes, a little. Herringbone is set out from the centre of the room and worked outwards to keep the pattern balanced. The angled blocks mean more cutting at the edges than a straight plank floor. A click herringbone system makes it much easier than gluing individual blocks, but it still pays to take your time or ask an experienced floor layer to do it.
What colour herringbone laminate is most popular?
Grey and oak are the most popular. Grey herringbone suits modern interiors and shows off the pattern crisply, while natural and light oak give a fresh, Scandinavian feel. Because the pattern already adds so much detail, many people choose a mid oak tone and let the herringbone itself be the feature.
Can parquet laminate go in a kitchen or bathroom?
In a kitchen, yes, as long as you choose a water-resistant or waterproof parquet board that copes with spills. In a bathroom or wet room, only a fully waterproof laminate is suitable. For the wettest rooms, parquet LVT is often the safer choice. In dry living rooms and hallways any parquet laminate works beautifully.
