A herringbone floor is a stylish and timeless choice. The pattern adds character to your home and fits both modern and classic interiors. But what should you look out for when buying a herringbone floor? In this herringbone buying guide, we'll help you step by step to make the right choice for your living room or apartment, from material and price to maintenance and underfloor heating.
Step 1: Choose the right material
Herringbone PVC
PVC is popular due to its ease of maintenance and durability. The material is hard-wearing, water-resistant, and comfortable to the touch. In addition, PVC is very suitable for underfloor heating thanks to its excellent thermal conductivity.
- Indicative material price: average €30 – €60 per m²
- Suitable for domestic use
- Easy to maintain
Herringbone wood
A wooden herringbone floor has an authentic and luxurious appearance. Each plank is unique in colour and grain. Wood requires more maintenance but lasts for decades with proper care.
- Indicative material price: average €60 – €120+ per m²
- Natural look
- More sensitive to moisture and temperature fluctuations
Herringbone laminate
Laminate is an accessible choice with a realistic wood look. It is often more affordable than PVC or wood and easy to install thanks to click systems.
- Indicative material price: average €20 – €45 per m²
- Easy to maintain
- Less suitable for damp areas
Step 2: Consider installation costs
Installing a herringbone floor is more labour-intensive than a straight plank. Therefore, installation costs are higher. Depending on the material and the subfloor, you should expect an average of €25 – €100 per m² in installation costs.
If you opt for glued PVC or glued wood, an even subfloor is essential. Sometimes levelling is required, which incurs additional costs.
Step 3: Suitability for underfloor heating
Herringbone floors can be excellently combined with underfloor heating, but the material makes a difference:
- PVC: Very suitable due to low thermal resistance.
- Wood: Suitable provided the correct type of wood and construction is chosen.
- Laminate: Often suitable, always check product specifications.
In modern living rooms and apartments, underfloor heating is popular because it provides even heat without visible radiators.
Step 4: Choose the right colour, plank size, and appearance
The colour and size of your herringbone floor largely determine how the space feels. Consider not only what you find beautiful but also light incidence, room size, and your current interior. A herringbone floor is an eye-catcher, so a well-considered choice makes all the difference.
Light shades: spacious and modern
Light colours such as natural oak, beige, or light grey reflect more daylight. This makes a room appear larger and fresher. This makes light herringbone floors particularly suitable for:
- Smaller living rooms
- Apartments with limited light incidence
- Modern, minimalist interiors
In combination with underfloor heating, a light floor also provides a warm but calm base without the room feeling heavy.
Dark shades: warmth and luxury
Dark colours such as smoked oak or deep brown give a rich, atmospheric appearance. They fit well in larger living rooms where sufficient daylight is present. Keep in mind that dark floors can make dust and crumbs visible a little faster.
- Suitable for spacious homes
- Beautiful in combination with light walls for contrast
- Creates a warm, classic atmosphere
Neutral and grey tones: versatile and timeless
Grey and neutral tones are a middle ground between light and dark. They combine easily with various furniture styles and colours. This makes them a safe and sustainable choice if you expect to change your interior in the future.
Plank format and pattern ratio
In addition to colour, the size of the plank also plays an important role. Herringbone is available in various lengths and widths.
- Narrow planks: provide a refined, classic look.
- Wide planks: give a calmer and more modern overall picture.
- Larger herringbone pattern: makes a powerful statement in spacious rooms.
In smaller spaces, a more subtle size may be more effective, while larger living rooms benefit from wider planks for a balanced whole.
Laying direction and spatial effect
The direction in which the pattern is laid affects the perception of the space. By laying the pattern lengthwise in the room, a space appears longer. In square rooms, a diagonal placement can provide extra dynamism.
Are you in doubt between several options? Then view different samples in your own home. Daylight and artificial light can strongly influence the perception of colour.
Step 5: Maintenance and lifespan
Maintenance varies per material:
- PVC: regular vacuuming and light mopping is sufficient.
- Wood: periodic treatment with oil or lacquer.
- Laminate: easy to keep clean, but avoid excessive water.
With good maintenance, a herringbone floor can last for years. Wood has the longest potential lifespan, while PVC excels in ease of use.
What is better: herringbone wood or PVC?
The question “what is better?” depends on your situation. Do you want maximum authenticity and a natural look? Then wood is a strong choice. Are you looking for ease of maintenance, durability, and optimal performance with underfloor heating? Then PVC is often more practical. Laminate is interesting when budget plays an important role.
Herringbone in the living room
In living rooms, it's all about comfort and appearance. PVC is popular due to the combination of comfort and ease of maintenance. Wood adds extra luxury and character. Both work well with underfloor heating.
Herringbone in an apartment
In apartments, ease of maintenance is often decisive. PVC and laminate are practical choices here. Light shades help to make compact spaces appear larger.
Buy herringbone from Solza
Are you ready to choose your ideal floor? View our collection of herringbone floors and discover which colour, material, and finish suit your home.
Conclusion
Buying a herringbone floor requires a well-considered choice. Consider material, price, installation costs, maintenance, and suitability for underfloor heating. By comparing carefully beforehand, you choose a floor that is not only beautiful but also matches your living style and daily use.
Need more depth? Read our Herringbone floor guide or discover the difference between patterns in our blog about Hungarian Point vs Herringbone.
