Natural Herringbone Vinyl and Wood Flooring Installation Guide

Many customers ask: “Herringbone floors look beautiful, but they must be difficult to install, right?”. In reality, if you understand the process correctly, installing herringbone vinyl flooring or herringbone wood flooring isn't too difficult. You can achieve a neat and perfect finish in just a few days. This herringbone pattern has existed since Roman times for paving roads due to its sturdy structure, and later became a symbol of luxury in Europe during the Renaissance.

Today, you can bring that beauty into your home, cafe, or homestay. In this article, Thien Ha Floor will share step-by-step instructions for installing herringbone flooring, along with common mistakes to help you achieve a durable, beautiful floor and easily bring a touch of history into your living space.

Detailed Natural Herringbone Flooring Installation Guide

If you've never installed herringbone flooring before, this pattern is inspired by the way fish bones are arranged in nature: a central axis with branches angled at 45° alternating on either side. When applied to flooring, the planks are arranged diagonally in a continuous V-shape, creating continuous arrowheads, bringing a sophisticated and luxurious feel to the space.

When purchasing herringbone flooring (whether vinyl flooring or wood flooring), you'll find the manufacturer packages them into two types of planks: A and B. Both planks have identical dimensions, but the locking grooves at each end are arranged in opposite ways so that when joined, they form the correct herringbone pattern.

**Typically, each box contains 36 planks (18 planks of type A + 18 planks of type B).

There are many ways to lay herringbone floors. In this article, Thien Ha Floor will guide you through laying herringbone floors in the “natural style”, meaning we lay planks continuously in an A – B – A – B… pattern in a single direction, from start to finish, without reversing or creating a border frame.

The natural laying style makes the floor look seamless and uniform, without interruptions, like a straight-running fishbone. This style is both beautiful and easy to install, suitable for most spaces from living rooms, bedrooms to showrooms.

1. Preparation Before Installation

Before starting the installation of herringbone vinyl flooring or herringbone wood flooring, you need to prepare:

• Materials: Type A and B flooring planks, trim strips, skirting boards.
• Tools: Measuring tape, tape measure, cutting machine, rubber mallet, Xbond adhesive or silicone, moisture barrier nylon, silver foam underlayment.
• Subfloor: Must be flat, dry (moisture content below 7%), free of dust and debris. Then, lay the nylon sheet and silver foam underlayment for moisture protection.

Each box of herringbone flooring typically includes 18 boxes of type A planks + 18 boxes of type B planks

Ensure the subfloor is flat, clean, and dry before installation

Prepare all necessary tools in advance

2. Simple Herringbone Flooring Installation Steps

Step 1: Place the first flooring plank

Start from a corner of the room on the left side. Use a ruler to draw a straight line parallel to the left wall.

Note: the distance from the drawn line to the wall must be less than the length of a flooring plank to avoid misalignment during installation.

Next, take a type A plank and place it at a 45° angle to the drawn line (Figure 1). You can adjust this guide line in step 4 if needed.

Step 2: Lay the second plank of the first row

Next, take a type B plank and place it so that the long edge of plank B is perpendicular (90°) to the short edge of plank A that was just installed. Hold the joint point firmly with your hand, then gently lower plank B to lie flat on the floor. As the plank lowers, the locking joints will engage tightly (Figure 2).

Double-check: the joint between the two planks must be seamless, with no gaps. Note: the long edge of plank A and the short edge of plank B should be aligned on the same straight line.

Step 3: Continue laying planks in the first row

After completing plank B, switch back to using a type A plank for the next position. Place the long edge of the new plank A perpendicularly at 90° to the short edge of the previous plank B, then lower it to lock the joint (Figure 3).

Continue alternating A – B in this manner until the first row extends almost to the right wall. Note: stop before you need to cut a plank, to make alignment easier in the next step.

Step 4: Center the first row

After laying the first row of flooring, you need to adjust it to be centered between the left and right walls.

• Measure the distance from the left wall to the outer edge of the first plank.
• Measure the distance from the right wall to the outer edge of the last plank.

If these two distances are not equal, shift the entire row of flooring to the left or right until it is balanced.
Note: both these distances must be less than the length of a flooring plank, so that when continuing to lay, you don't end up with excessively short pieces.

Step 5: Finish both ends of the first row

After centering, measure the remaining space at both ends of the flooring row (left and right).

• Use a ruler to accurately measure the length to be cut for each end plank.
• Cut the flooring planks to the actual size, then install them in place.

Important note: always leave a 10mm gap between the flooring and the wall on both sides. This gap allows the flooring to expand and contract naturally with changes in temperature or humidity.

Step 6: Install the second row of flooring

• Start with a type A plank, place it directly below the type A plank of the first row installed in Step 1.
• Align the edge of the new plank with the installed row, then gently lower it to engage the locking mechanism.

Installation principle for the second row:

1. Install all type A planks from left to right (Figure 6-A-B).
2. When you run out of type A planks, switch to installing type B planks from right to left (Figure 6-C).

This method will maintain the herringbone pattern and ensure the joints lock tightly.

Step 7: Install the third and fourth rows

Continue joining type A and B planks following the same principle as the second row:

• Install all type A planks from left to right.
• Then install type B planks from right to left.

Proceed sequentially to complete the third row and fourth row.

Note: always check to ensure the joints are tightly locked, with no gaps and a seamless herringbone pattern.

Step 8: Mark and prepare to adjust the herringbone frame position

• Check for stability: Ensure the first 4 rows of flooring are tightly locked and not shifted.
• Mark the cutting line: Use a ruler and pencil to draw a straight line connecting the lowest points of the first row of flooring.
• Move the flooring frame: After marking, slide all 4 rows towards the wall perpendicular to the left and right walls.
• Number the planks: Number the flooring planks from top to bottom, left to right. This helps you reassemble them accurately after cutting.

💡 Tip: At this stage, many people skip numbering, leading to misaligned patterns when reassembling. You should use a label maker or masking tape to number quickly without damaging the floor surface.

Step 9: Cut and adjust the edges of the first 4 rows of flooring

• Based on the guide line drawn in Step 8, proceed to cut each flooring plank to create straight edges.
• Cut according to the marked numbers so that the herringbone pattern aligns correctly when reinstalled.

💡 Note: Use a specialized cutting machine or a sharp blade for a smooth cut without chipping. After cutting, you can lightly sand the edges with fine-grit sandpaper for a perfect finish.

Step 10: Reinstall the 4 cut and adjusted rows of flooring

• Take the flooring planks cut in Step 9 and reinstall them in the correct order (from left to right) as marked.
• Place all 4 rows tightly against the wall perpendicular to the left and right walls.
• Ensure the joints are tightly locked, and the herringbone pattern is seamless.

💡 Tip: When reinstalling, start from the row closest to the wall and move outwards to prevent planks from shifting.

Step 11: Place the expansion gap spacers

Place spacers between the flooring and the 3 walls to ensure a 10mm gap on each side (Figure 11).

Step 12: Install subsequent rows of flooring until complete

• Continue installing the next rows of flooring until the entire floor area is completed.
• For type A planks, install from left to right.
• For type B planks, install from right to left.
• When you reach the last row on both sides, cut the flooring planks to the actual size to fit snugly (see Figures 12-A and 12-B).

Step 13: Install the final rows of flooring

• Measure accurately and cut the flooring planks for the final row to fit the remaining space.
• Remember to maintain a 10mm gap between the flooring edge and the wall to allow for expansion (see Figures 13-A to 13-E).

Step 14: Remove spacers and install skirting boards

• Remove the expansion gap spacers placed in the previous step.
• Use skirting boards to cover the 10mm expansion gap between the flooring and the wall, completing the surface and enhancing aesthetics.

3. Finishing Stage

• Inspect the entire floor, ensuring all planks are securely installed, joints are seamless, and there are no gaps or looseness.
• Clean the floor surface with a broom or vacuum cleaner, then wipe with a soft cloth and warm water to remove dust and debris.
• Install finishing accessories such as skirting boards or moldings to cover the gaps between the floor and walls, adding aesthetic accents to the space.
• Check the floor's expansion and joint fit, ensuring all details meet technical standards before project acceptance.

Natural Herringbone Flooring Installation Guide

Conclusion

Laying herringbone flooring in the natural style not only brings a classic Western aesthetic but also creates a unique and luxurious focal point for your living space. With the guide above, Thien Ha Floor hopes you feel fully confident in installing herringbone flooring in the natural style accurately and effectively.