Pattern
Chevron Flooring
Boards mitered at the ends so each pair meets in a clean point, forming continuous arrows down the room — herringbone's sleeker, more tailored sibling.
Character
Why Chevron
Chevron vs. Herringbone
Herringbone boards keep square ends and interlock in a broken weave; chevron boards are cut at an angle (typically 45°) so the joints align into unbroken V's. The result is a straighter, more directional, more contemporary line.
The Effect
Those continuous points pull the eye down the room, visually lengthening hallways and open spaces. In pale European oak it's the defining floor of the Parisian-apartment look; in warmer tones it turns formal and rich.
Precision Above All
Every miter must land exactly, or the arrow line wanders — chevron tolerates even less error than herringbone. We work from factory-mitered engineered boards or precision-cut stock, with a full layout dry-run before adhesive opens.
Idaho Note
Like herringbone, chevron's shorter board segments distribute seasonal movement in small increments, and engineered chevron performs well over radiant slabs. The pattern's demands are about installation skill, not climate.
Best For
Modern and transitional homes wanting pattern with a cleaner, more directional line — long great rooms, galleries, and primary suites in custom builds from Eagle to the Payette Lakes.
How We Install It
Almost always factory-mitered engineered boards, glue-down over prepared subfloors including radiant. Layout starts from the room's dominant axis so the arrows run true to the architecture, not the drywall.
See it in a mountain home, explore McCall & Payette Lakes flooring, or view all wood species.
Good to Know
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the real difference between chevron and herringbone?
The end cut. Herringbone boards have square ends and overlap in a woven zigzag; chevron boards are mitered so pairs meet point-to-point in continuous V's. Chevron reads sleeker and more modern; herringbone reads more textured and classic.
Is chevron harder to install than herringbone?
Generally yes — the mitered joints leave zero room for error, since any drift shows up as a crooked arrow line running the length of the room. It's a pattern we only trust to experienced hands, which is reflected in the labor.
Can chevron flooring go over radiant heat?
Yes, in engineered construction. The short mitered segments handle radiant's temperature cycling well, installed full glue-down within the manufacturer's surface-temperature limits.
Install Chevron in Your Home
Call (208) 779-4248 — we'll bring chevron samples and give you an honest estimate.