Wood Flooring Patterns: The Different Types, Installation & Price

Choosing the best wood flooring patterns that suit your taste and lifestyle adds personality to your living quarters. These patterns not only serve as the foundation of your interior decor but also mirror your unique sense of style.

Whether you're looking for something with a traditional feel like herringbone and chevron or a more modern layout like basketweave, this article gives you a comprehensive list to assist your shopping.

In the following sections, we'll delve into different types of wood flooring patterns, their installation process, and costs. 

What Is A Wood Flooring Pattern?

A wood flooring pattern defines the arrangement of planks during installation. These wood floor layout patterns influence a room's aesthetic, perceived size, and flow, making them a crucial element of your interior design.

What Are The Different Types Of Wood Flooring Patterns?

Wood flooring patterns can vary, offering numerous layout designs that can transform your room's visual appeal. Here's a look at some popular types and their suitability for different home settings.

Straight

Straight is the most common wood flooring pattern. Planks are laid parallel to each other along the length or width of the room. This pattern can be used in any setting, providing a clean, contemporary feel. It's great for minimalist homeowners seeking simplicity.

Pros

• Easy to install and doesn’t require complex cutting or fitting
• Enhances room space, making it look more elongated
• Usually more affordable due to easy installation 

Cons

• Can look too plain and simple 
• Not the best choice if you want something unique due to its common appearance

Diagonal

The Diagonal pattern sees planks at a 45-degree angle, offering a more dynamic aesthetic. It is ideal for spacious, open-plan settings and provides a sense of movement and drama. Those seeking a unique twist on traditional layouts will love this pattern.

Pros

• Creates visual interest
• Makes rooms appear larger, perfect for smaller spaces
• May increase floor durability, as the load is spread across more planks

Cons

• Complex installation can contribute to higher labour cost
• Installation is more time-consuming

Random

Random pattern planks cut the material in varying lengths, resulting in an informal, organic look. Perfectly suited for rustic or country-style homes, this pattern is recommended for those who want an unconventional, textured appearance.

Pros

• Unique aesthetic with its variety of length cuts 
• Less wastage of material as offcuts from one row can start or end another row

Cons

• Can appear chaotic if not well-executed
• Requires careful planning to ensure a pleasing mix of lengths

Brick

Brick pattern emulates classic brickwork, with each row offset at the mid-point of the row below. It’s best for cosy, traditional homes, and a favourite among those who appreciate timeless design.

Pros

• Provides a classic look, giving a timeless appeal to your space
• Versatile design that fits different interior decor styles

Cons

• Requires precision in installation which often requires expert support

Basketweave

Basketweave is an intricate pattern, forming a design that resembles woven strands. Ideal for large, elegant rooms, it is recommended for homeowners who fancy a touch of sophistication.

Pros

• Highly decorative, making it a standout piece in your interior design
• Can add a vintage appeal to your home

Cons

• Complex to install
• Costs more given the setup complexity 

Herringbone

Herringbone pattern uses rectangular blocks arranged in a distinctive 'V' shape. Suited for grand, spacious rooms, it's perfect for those desiring a sense of luxury.

Pros

• Adds visual depth to your space
• Provides a luxurious aesthetic, enhancing your place’s glamour

Cons

• Takes time to install 

Chevron

Chevron pattern, like Herringbone, forms 'V' shapes, but the ends of the planks are cut at an angle to create a more continuous zigzag. Ideal for modern minimalistic homes, it's suited for aesthetically-driven homeowners.

Pros

• Unique, modern look that gives a contemporary aesthetic to your space
• Creates a sense of room flow, making your room look larger 

Cons

• Specialist installation required 

Parquet

Parquet consists of geometric patterns formed with small wooden blocks. It’s perfect for traditional homes or rooms needing a centrepiece. Parquet is an excellent choice for homeowners valuing artistry and creative design.

Pros

• Visually stunning
• Provides a unique focal point for any room 

Cons

• Expert installation required
• Requires periodic refinishing to maintain its appearance

Tile

Tile pattern involves creating a square board of four planks and then replicating it throughout the room. Suitable for both small and large spaces, it's a top choice for practical homeowners wanting a versatile solution. 

Pros

• Versatile and easy to fit
• Can create a grid-like modern look

Cons

• May look repetitive
• Requires regular maintenance to keep its neat look 

Versailles

Versailles pattern is a highly ornamental parquet design, characterised by squares filled with diagonal and interlacing lines. Ideal for large, opulent spaces, it's recommended for homeowners seeking grandeur.

Pros

• Highly decorative
• Adds a touch of opulence 

Cons

• Complex and costly to install

How Do You Install The Different Patterns?

Installing wood flooring patterns can take time, but with the right preparations, materials, and expert support, it doesn’t have to be a headache. 

The fundamental materials needed for installation generally include the wood flooring planks, a saw for cutting, adhesive for glue-down installations, nails for nail-down installations, a rubber mallet to fit the planks together, and spacers to maintain an expansion gap around the room's perimeter. 

Each flooring pattern has its unique installation approach. The Straight pattern is the simplest to install, with planks laid parallel to each other. For the Diagonal pattern, the planks are placed at a 45-degree angle to the walls. The Random pattern requires careful planning to ensure an aesthetically pleasing mix of plank lengths. 

Patterns like Brick, Basketweave, Herringbone, Chevron, and Parquet need careful measurements and meticulous placement due to their complex designs. The Tile pattern is relatively easy to fit, with the only challenge being the initial layout. 

Versailles, being highly detailed, can be quite complex and usually requires professional installation.

Always maintain consistent spacing around the room's perimeter to allow for wood expansion. For more intricate designs, we recommend hiring a professional installer. 

How Much Do The Different Patterns Cost?

Prices for wood flooring patterns can greatly vary, from as low as £20 per square metre for basic designs, skyrocketing to £100+ per square metre for more intricate patterns.

Here's a general breakdown of costs, though actual prices can vary depending on several factors such as the type of wood used, the complexity of the pattern, and labour costs.

• Straight: The simplest and typically the least expensive, can cost around £20-£25 per square metre.
• Diagonal: Slightly more expensive than straight due to the additional labour, roughly around £25-£30 per square metre.
• Random: Prices can vary widely, starting from £25 and going up to £50 per square metre.
• Brick: The complexity of the pattern brings the price to about £30-£40 per square metre.
• Basketweave: It's pricier due to its intricate design, prices range from £45 to £60 per square metre.
• Herringbone and Chevron: Owing to their complex patterns, these can cost between £50 and £70 per square metre.
• Parquet: Can cost anywhere between £70 and £90 per square metre.
• Tile: This versatile pattern lies in the mid-range, about £40-£50 per square metre.
• Versailles: The most ornate and therefore most expensive, it can go well beyond £100 per square metre.

The above estimates are indicative and sourced from various UK flooring specialists and installation services. For the full cost of flooring installation, the following factors will affect your expenses:

• Pattern Complexity: More complex patterns like herringbone and Versailles may cost more due to the additional time and skills needed for installation.
• Type of Wood: Different types of wood come with different price tags. Exotic woods are often more expensive than locally sourced ones.
• Labour Cost: This can vary depending on the rates of the installers in your area and their level of expertise.
• Room Size: Larger rooms will require more materials and labour, increasing the overall cost.
• Condition of Subfloor: If the subfloor needs repairs or preparation work before the wood flooring can be installed, this could increase the cost.
• Location: Prices may vary based on your geographical location and the prevalent market rates.
• Extra Services: Additional services like removing the old floor, moving furniture, or finishing the installed floor could increase the total expense.

For exact costs, we recommend reaching out to local specialists for quotes based on your specific project.

Can You Make Patterns With Any Other Type Of Flooring?

Yes, you certainly can create patterns with other types of flooring. Wood is just one of many materials suitable for floor pattern designs.

1. Tile: Tiles come in numerous shapes, sizes, colours, and materials, making them ideal for creating unique patterns. Consider using porcelain or ceramic tiles for geometric patterns. 

2. Laminate: Laminate flooring, often imitating the look of wood or stone, can also be arranged into patterns such as herringbone or brick.

3. Vinyl: With vinyl flooring, you can experiment with patterns while enjoying the benefit of a durable and affordable material. Luxury Vinyl Tiles (LVT) can be used for intricate patterns.

4. Stone: Stone flooring (like marble, granite, or travertine) offers unique textures and colours, suitable for creating visually striking patterns, especially for grand entryways.

5. Carpet Tiles: These provide the comfort of carpet but with the ability to create custom designs. Consider using contrasting coloured tiles for maximum visual impact.

Your pattern choice depends on the look you're aiming to achieve, your budget, and practical considerations like durability and maintenance.

Conclusion

The flooring pattern you choose influences the room's perceived size and flow. Whether it's the simplicity of a straight pattern or the majestic complexity of the Versailles design, your choice will reflect your style and practical needs. 

Don’t hesitate to seek expert help. Flooring experts can provide advice tailored to your needs and home specifications, guiding you through various choices. We started this journey by discussing the importance of selecting the right flooring pattern. Now, it’s your turn to take the next step.
Take your time, explore different possibilities, and when you're ready, get in touch with our local specialist to turn your vision into reality.