Hardwood floors give the home a refined and polished look. But, while many people like the idea of hardwood floors, some are a little apprehensive about the price or upkeep. To relieve this uncertainty, manufacturers have created engineered hardwood floors.
Engineered flooring is a plank with a layer of hardwood on top and layers of other materials on the bottom. These planks don’t shift and move like natural wood, nor do they need to be acclimated to room temperature. Better yet, engineered flooring is so versatile that it can be tailored to a wide variety of hardwood floor patterns.
Whether you decide to invest in solid wood planks or engineered flooring, these wood floor pattern ideas will add personality and character to your home.
1. Herringbone
The herringbone pattern is a unique design that creates a broken zigzag floor pattern. Interesting facts about this design include:
- It gets its name from its resemblance to a herring fish’s skeleton.
- The wood pattern is laid out in rectangular tiles.
- Contractors stagger the tiles so they don’t create a perfect V-shaped pattern.
2. Chevron
There are some slight similarities between herringbone and chevron patterns, the main one being the zigzag design. However, unlike the herringbone pattern, chevron flooring creates a sharp V-shape that is much more pronounced.
When it comes to creating a chevron floor:
- Contractors cut the wood planks into V-shaped pieces and lay them on the floor.
- Installation requires expert precision and attention to detail.
- The floor has to be measured and the planks must be laid vertically.
3. Parquet
Parquet flooring is another type of hardwood floor pattern with a geometric design. Interestingly, parquet flooring has origins in France, with the Palace of Versailles having one of the most famous parquet flooring designs.
Like some French wines, the most most famous French parquet designs are named after places. They are Fontainbleu, Gaujacq, Aremberg, Chalosse, Chantilly, and Soubise.
Other interesting facts about parquet flooring include:
- Some people classify herringbone and chevron patterns as members of the parquet family, but those floor patterns have a distinct design.
- Parquet can be laid in any pattern, including hexagons, bricks, diagonal basket weave, and square basket weave.
- Parquet hardwood floor patterns often have a basket weave design that can be seen in the famous French parquet designs.
4. Exotic Hardwood Floor Patterns
This is an umbrella term that describes solid wood planks that come from foreign countries like Brazil and Australia.
The exotic wood for these floor patterns comes from rare trees that have their own special patterns and designs. It’s important to be aware that the timber is sourced overseas, so these types of wood floor patterns can be quite expensive.
Common exotic wood species are:
- Cherry
- Mahogany
- Oak
- Walnut
These wood planks often have rich undertones of red, burgundy, and brown.
When it comes to using exotic wood for your floors, it’s important to remember that installation requires a hardwood finish to preserve the wood.
5. Straight Pattern
This is one of the more simplistic floor patterns and the most common. Wood planks are installed horizontally along the width of the room.
When it comes to straight patterns:
- Straight planks create a brick-like wood floor pattern.
- Any type of wood can be fashioned into straight wood planks. Contractors create straight planks from oak, mahogany, and other wood species.
- Unlike other patterns, planks don’t have to be cut into wood tiles, squares, rectangles, or V-shapes. The planks keep their natural shape and form.
Find the Right Pattern for Your Floors
Contact us today to learn more about your home flooring options. And, if you’re looking for something really unique for your floors, don’t forget to see our gallery of custom floor inlays and medallions.
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