If you’re researching patterned wood floors near Crestwood, MO , you’ll keep seeing the same two options: herringbone and chevron.
They look related in photos, but they behave differently in pricing, material usage, subfloor prep, and install speed.
At Just Around the Corner Flooring, we explain it like this: herringbone is a pattern you can plan. Chevron is a pattern you must engineer.
What each pattern is (in plain technical terms)
Herringbone uses rectangular planks laid in a repeating “L” shape.
Boards stay square-ended, so the pattern comes from how they’re rotated and staggered.
Chevron uses boards cut with angled ends (most commonly 45° or 60°).
Those angled ends meet point-to-point to form a continuous “V” down the floor.
That single detail changes cutting accuracy, layout tolerance, and waste.
Why chevron usually costs more
Chevron typically costs more because you’re paying for precision in three places.
First, the boards must be angled accurately. If the product isn’t factory-milled for chevron, every angle is made on site, and a small error becomes visible immediately.
Second, the layout has less forgiveness. A tiny drift in angle or starting line doesn’t hide, it compounds, and the “V” points stop landing cleanly.
Third, production speed drops. Installers move slower because every board has to be checked for point alignment, not just seam tightness.
Herringbone is still labor-intensive, but it’s generally faster because boards are standard rectangles and the pattern can absorb minor length variation more gracefully.
The waste factor: which wastes more material?
In most homes, chevron wastes more than herringbone.
Chevron waste happens because offcuts are angle-specific. Many cutoffs can’t be reused as a clean mirror match, especially around walls, closets, and doorways.
Herringbone uses rectangular boards, so offcuts are more reusable at perimeters and small areas, depending on board lengths and layout strategy.
Typical planning ranges (project-dependent):
Herringbone: often needs 10–15% extra material
Chevron: often needs 15–20%+ extra material
What pushes waste higher for both patterns:
Out-of-square rooms (common in older homes)
Multiple doorways and jogs
Tight hallways that must connect to larger rooms
A border or picture-frame perimeter (adds cuts)
If you want the cleanest number, your installer should measure room geometry and show the waste math, not guess a blanket percentage.
Subfloor prep: the part that decides whether it looks expensive or not
Pattern floors magnify problems.
If the subfloor is wavy, you see it as uneven reflections and you feel it as seam edges.
For many floating floors, a common benchmark is around 3/16 inch over 10 feet.
Pattern hardwood often needs the practical equivalent of “tighter than that” in the zones where sightlines are strongest, because pattern misalignment shows faster than straight lay.
If you’re installing over concrete, moisture testing matters even more.
Moisture movement plus a rigid pattern layout can lead to gapping, edge movement, and adhesive stress over time.
Install method: nail-down vs glue-down (and why it matters for patterns)
Both chevron and herringbone can be installed nail-down over plywood or glue-down over concrete.
Glue-down is common for patterns because it stabilizes the layout and reduces hollow spots.
But glue-down is only as good as the slab prep. If the slab isn’t flat, clean, and within moisture specs, the adhesive can fail or the floor can telegraph imperfections.
Nail-down can be excellent too, but it depends on subfloor integrity and fastening schedule.
The pattern doesn’t change the rules. It just makes the penalties bigger.
Timeline: why pattern installs take longer
Pattern installs are slower because every course is a checkpoint.
Expect extra time for:
Establishing true centerlines and reference lines
Dry-fitting the start and locking the pattern in
Cutting and consistency checks
Doorway transitions that must “land” correctly
Borders and feature strips (if included)
If you’re living in the home during the project, plan for a longer work zone period than a straight-lay install.
Which pattern is better for your space?
Choose herringbone if you want a classic look that fits both traditional and modern St. Louis homes.
It’s often slightly lower waste and a bit more flexible across irregular layouts.
Choose chevron if you want a sharp, modern statement where the pattern direction becomes part of the architecture.
You’re also choosing higher waste, tighter layout tolerance, and typically more labor time.
If your floor plan has lots of openings and mixed directions, herringbone often integrates more smoothly.
If you have a long, clean sightline (like an open main floor), chevron can look custom and high-end when executed correctly.
Chevron and herringbone aren’t just style choices. They’re different construction realities, with different waste factors, prep demands, and labor curves.
If you want a pattern floor that stays crisp, aligned, and flat, contact Just Around the Corner Flooring for a site check and a pattern-specific estimate.
We serve St. Louis, MO, University City, MO, Richmond Heights, MO, Jennings, MO, East St. Louis, IL. Visit us or contact us to compare wood options, and the installation plan that fits your home.
