What is chevron flooring?
Chevron flooring is a parquet pattern in which timber blocks with angled ends meet tip to tip, forming a continuous V – like a row of arrows – across the floor. Because the ends are mitred rather than square, the joint between left and right blocks forms a single straight line down the centre of each row.
Chevron is sometimes called "Hungarian point" or point de Hongrie. It has a cleaner, more formal look than herringbone and suits both period homes and minimal contemporary interiors.
Chevron vs herringbone
The difference is the block end: herringbone blocks are square-ended and form a stepped zigzag; chevron blocks are angle-cut and form a clean V.
| Chevron | Herringbone | |
|---|---|---|
| Block ends | Angled | Square |
| Centre joint | Straight line along each row | Staggered |
| Look | Crisp, directional arrows | Woven zigzag |
| Setout tolerance | Very low – errors show as kinks | Low |
| Waste | Similar – both lose blocks at the edges | Similar |
Read the herringbone flooring guide and herringbone vs chevron if you're choosing between them.
Chevron block angles and sizes
Chevron blocks are cut at an angle that varies from product to product, and that angle – together with block length and width – sets how sharp the V looks. A steeper angle gives a sharper, narrower point; a shallower angle gives a wider, flatter V.
Because angles differ, chevron blocks from different products can't be mixed, and layout drawings must use the actual block dimensions. Timbo's Solid Oak Chevron Parquet is Prime grade European oak, 18mm solid, laid as a continuous V. For block dimensions, angle and box coverage, ask Timbo or see the chevron product page.
Solid or engineered chevron?
Solid chevron is timber all the way through and can be sanded many times; engineered chevron has a hardwood wear layer over a core and is often preferred over slabs, in apartments and with underfloor heating.
- Solid (18mm) – longest sanding life and a genuinely solid feel underfoot. Needs careful moisture control because solid timber moves more with humidity.
- Engineered – generally more dimensionally stable; refinishing is limited by wear-layer thickness.
Engineered oak is often chosen for apartments, renovations and slab installations (ArchiPro). If there is underfloor heating, read underfloor heating and oak flooring and talk to Timbo before specifying solid.
Setting out a chevron floor
Everything in a chevron floor hangs off one accurate centre line; set it out along the main view of the room and check it repeatedly.
- Decide the direction. Run the points along the longest view or toward the focal point.
- Snap a centre line for the first row of points, and parallel lines for the following rows at the row width of your actual blocks.
- Dry-lay several rows at the centre of the room to confirm row width and how the pattern meets the walls and doorways.
- Balance the edges. Shift the centre line so the cut pieces at opposite walls are similar in size; add a border if walls aren't parallel.
- Lay from the centre outward, checking that every tip lands exactly on its line.
- Plan doorways and transitions so the V lines up with the main openings.
For waste allowances and box calculations, see the herringbone layout and waste guide – the method is the same for chevron.
Where chevron works best
Chevron suits rooms with a clear direction – hallways, galleries, long living rooms – and formal spaces where a crisp, symmetrical floor is the feature.
| Space | Why chevron works | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Entry and hallway | Points lead the eye through the home | Align the V with the front door |
| Long open-plan living | Emphasises length | Balance the edges on both long walls |
| Dining room | Formal, symmetrical feature | Centre on the table or pendant light |
| Retail and hospitality | Strong visual identity | Traffic, finish durability, slip needs |
| Small bedrooms | Can feel busy | Consider a calmer pattern or a border |
Ordering chevron
Order chevron from one product and batch, with the waste allowance your installer sets. As with herringbone, about 10–15% extra is a common rule of thumb for chevron, but small rooms, borders and many doorways push it up. Keep a box or two spare for repairs – a future chevron block must match the original angle exactly.
Installing chevron over a slab
Solid chevron parquet is glued directly to a flat, dry slab using a flooring adhesive, often with a moisture barrier or a moisture-barrier adhesive. In Australia, slabs are commonly required to be flat within about 3mm under a 3m straightedge, and the adhesive manufacturer's moisture limits govern (Bowens). Australian interiors typically sit at about 8–14% equilibrium moisture content, and timber should be installed within about ±2% of its expected in-service level (WoodSolutions).
Full detail: installing parquet over a concrete slab and adhesives and moisture barriers.
Finishing chevron
Raw chevron is sanded flat after laying and then oiled or coated; prefinished chevron is laid ready to use. Because blocks run in two directions, sanding must be done carefully to avoid cross-grain scratches showing under the finish – an experienced parquet sander is worth it. Whether a Timbo batch is raw or pre-finished: ask Timbo.
| Finish | Effect on chevron |
|---|---|
| Natural oil / hardwax oil | Strong light-and-dark contrast between left and right rows |
| Matt polyurethane | Even, low-sheen look; contrast still visible |
| Stain or smoked tone | Mutes grain, emphasises the V outline |
Sanding and coating typically costs about $30–$70/m² (WhatsTheDamage). Compare finishes in oil vs polyurethane.
Chevron costs
Chevron is generally priced in the same bracket as herringbone: published labour-only rates for parquet patterns run about $60–$100/m² for standard rooms and $90–$120+/m² for complex jobs, incl. GST (The Flooring Guys). Supply prices depend on species, grade, construction and finish. Timbo doesn't publish retail prices; a Timbo partner quotes the full job.
Sources
- ArchiPro – Oak timber flooring
- Bowens – Hardwood timber flooring
- WoodSolutions – Moisture guide
- WhatsTheDamage – Timber floor sanding cost
- The Flooring Guys – Herringbone flooring cost
Frequently asked questions
Can chevron blocks from different products be mixed?
No. Chevron angles, lengths and widths differ between products, so blocks from different ranges won't meet cleanly on the centre line. Order the whole job, plus spares, from one product and batch.
What angle are chevron flooring blocks cut at?
It varies by product – different mills cut different angles, and the angle changes how sharp the V looks and how wide each row is. Ask Timbo for the angle and block dimensions of its chevron before setting out.
Does a chevron floor need a border?
No, but borders suit chevron well. A border frames the strong V pattern, absorbs walls that aren't square and gives a clean edge at doorways. Wall-to-wall chevron with skirting is also common in contemporary interiors.
Which way should a chevron floor point?
Usually the V points along the main axis of the room – often away from the entry or toward a focal point such as a window or fireplace. In corridors the points normally run lengthways to lead the eye through the space.
Does chevron suit a small apartment?
Yes, if the scale is right. The strong directional V can make a narrow room feel longer. Ask your installer to mock up a few rows with real blocks so you can judge the scale before committing.