Herringbone Flooring: Hybrid or Engineered Timber? A Melbourne Buyer's Guide

Herringbone is having a moment in Melbourne homes. The zig-zag pattern makes a room feel tailored and a little grand, and it works in everything from period terraces to new builds. The good news is you no longer need solid parquetry to get it: herringbone now comes in both engineered timber and hybrid. Here's how to choose between them, and what to know before you book.

Key takeaways

• Herringbone is a layout of short boards laid in a zig-zag, with each board meeting the next at a right angle.
• National Floors carries herringbone in engineered timber (real hardwood top) and in hybrid (water-resistant rigid core).
• Herringbone takes longer to lay and needs more cuts than straight planks, so installation costs more.
• Pick engineered for real-timber warmth; pick hybrid for kitchens, pets and easy care.

What makes herringbone different?

A straight-lay floor runs long planks in one direction. Herringbone uses shorter boards set at right angles to each other, so the end of one board butts against the side of the next and forms a continuous zig-zag. Boards come in left- and right-hand versions that lock together in pairs. The pattern draws the eye along the room, can make a narrow hallway feel wider, and suits both classic and modern interiors.

Herringbone is often confused with chevron. In chevron, the board ends are cut at an angle so they meet in a clean point, like a row of arrows. In herringbone, the ends are square and the boards overlap in a stepped pattern.

Engineered timber herringbone

Our engineered herringbone ranges have a real hardwood top layer, most of them a 14/3mm build (14mm thick with a 3mm hardwood wear layer), plus 15mm options. Every board carries its own grain and colour, so the pattern has the depth and variation of traditional parquetry. Because the top is real timber, it can usually be sanded and recoated later in its life.

Best for: living rooms, dining rooms, hallways and anywhere the floor is a feature. It's fine in kitchens if spills are wiped up promptly.

Hybrid herringbone

Hybrid herringbone gives you the same zig-zag look on a rigid, water-resistant core. Spills and wet paws won't make it swell, and the wear layer stands up well to kids and pets. Our hybrid herringbone ranges include popular Australian looks like spotted gum and blackbutt, as well as lighter, softer tones.

Best for: kitchens, open-plan living, entries and busy family homes, or when you want the pattern on a tighter budget.

What to know before you buy

• Allow extra material. The pattern needs more cuts at the walls, so you'll need a bit more flooring than for a straight lay. Your measure will include the right allowance.
• Installation takes longer. Setting out and laying a herringbone floor is slower, careful work, so labour costs more than a straight-lay floor of the same size.
• The subfloor matters. Short boards show any unevenness, so the subfloor needs to be flat and dry. We'll tell you at the measure if any preparation is needed.
• Plan the direction. Running the zig-zag along the longest view of the room usually looks best. In hallways it can make the space feel wider.
• Think about borders and transitions. Where herringbone meets another floor or a doorway, trims and edges need planning. Our team can show you options.

Engineered or hybrid: a quick guide

• Feel: engineered is real wood, warmer and softer underfoot; hybrid is firmer.
• Water: hybrid handles spills with less worry.
• Long life: engineered can usually be refinished; hybrid can't, but rarely needs it.
• Price: hybrid is generally the lower-cost way to get the pattern.

For the full comparison, read our guide to engineered timber vs hybrid flooring.

See herringbone in person

Herringbone looks different in a showroom than on a screen, because the pattern catches the light. Browse our engineered timber and hybrid ranges, then visit us in Thomastown, Dandenong, Werribee or Warragul. When you're ready, book a free measure and quote or call 1300 470 585.

Frequently asked questions

Is herringbone more expensive than a straight lay?
Usually, yes. The boards themselves may cost a similar amount per m², but herringbone needs a little more material and takes longer to install.

Can hybrid herringbone go in a kitchen?
Yes. Hybrid's rigid core doesn't swell with everyday spills, which makes it a good fit for kitchens and open-plan living.

Does herringbone make a room look smaller?
Not usually. Laid along the longest line of the room, the pattern tends to draw the eye through the space. Lighter tones also help a small room feel open.

What's the difference between herringbone and chevron?
Herringbone boards have square ends and meet in a stepped zig-zag. Chevron boards are cut at an angle so the ends meet in a clean point.