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Discover the different engineered plank designs and styles available and how they impact the aesthetics of the floor

Written by: Yarl Christie

Published on: June 19, 2023

Engineered Wood Plank Laying Patterns

One of the most confusing aspects of choosing the right engineered wood flooring, is the varying plank effects on offer. While they do not impact the quality of the floor, they can make a significant difference to how it looks once it has been installed.

Here, you will discover more about the different engineered plank designs and styles available and how they impact the aesthetics of the floor.

1-Strip Plank Engineered Flooring

The most common style is the single-plank engineered wood floor. It is created by cutting one piece of wood and fusing it as the veneer on top of the plywood or MDF layered construction of the planks. This gives each plank a single-board appearance. As the wood remains largely untouched, this plank design provides the most authentic, natural look.

1 Strip Engineered Plank - Lusso Trento Distressed Natural Oiled Engineered Oak 220mm
Product: Lusso Trento Distressed Natural Oiled Engineered Oak 220mm

You will find this effect can also help to make rooms appear larger while providing a stunning rustic design.

3-Strip Plank Engineered Flooring

Our 3-strip engineered floors are constructed using three pieces of timber for the real wood veneer on the planks instead of just one. This makes them a little cheaper than single-strip planks. They are especially well suited to use in smaller rooms as they provide a spacious feel once installed.

This plank effect does not look as natural, although it still features some natural detailing.

Parquet Style Engineered Wood Flooring

Renowned for their luxurious and elegant designs, parquet floors have been popular for decades. You arrange the planks in geometrical and angular patterns to create a striking, stand-out look.

Choose from various styles and effects to create intricate patterns that transform the home. While at one time, parquet floors were only accessible to the rich and famous, the introduction of engineered wood parquet has made them available to a wide range of budgets.

Lusso Rome Herringbone Smoked Brushed & Oiled Engineered Oak
Product: Lusso Rome Herringbone Smoked Brushed & Oiled Engineered Oak

Like Herringbone and Chevron designs, you can mix and match different parquet styles to create your own unique flooring. The floors can also be used to make smaller rooms appear larger.

Herringbone Style Engineered Flooring

Herringbone floors are a type of Parquet flooring and by far our most popular plank effect. The planks are installed in alternating rows at a diagonal angle, creating a very unusual and striking effect.

A diagram of the different designs and laying patterns of engineered wood flooring

Thanks to their unique angled shape, there is no limit to the designs you can create with these floors. You don’t need to stick to the standard zig-zag pattern, giving you 100% control over how your new flooring looks.

From traditional herringbone parquet to block basket weave designs, you can find a pattern type to match your personal preferences.

Don’t forget to check out our guide on how to install engineered wood flooring for more information.

Chevron Style Engineered Wood Flooring

Chevron style floors are similar to Herringbone; only the planks come with vertical rather than zig-zagged lines between the rows. This gives it a much more uniform appearance.

Brushed Matt Lacquered LOC Engineered European Oak Chevron 14/3mm x 130mmProduct: Brushed Matt Lacquered LOC Engineered European Oak Chevron 14/3mm x 130mm

Commonly used in professional settings, Chevron floors provide a beautiful, stylish effect. They are visually distinct and full of character, giving them a striking, luxurious look. One of the main benefits of Chevron designs is their ability to make smaller rooms appear larger.

Basket-Weave Style Engineered Wood Flooring

If you want to create a unique luxury look, basket-weave flooring is a great option. Simple yet beautiful, this type of pattern adds dimension and complexity to the floor. The wood has an interwoven design, just like a basket.

Basket-Weave Style Engineered Wood Flooring

This design is best suited in mid-sized rooms or long narrow spaces. It creates a more spacious look so you’ll want to avoid installing it in a larger room.

Versailles Style Engineered Wood Flooring

Created in 1684, Versailles panels were once used to replace old marble floors in France. This type of flooring has become a popular choice for commercial buildings and homeowners looking to create a luxurious and distinctive effect.

They combine elements of basket-weave and Parquet designs, using squares to house interwoven wood strips. The grains run in a minimum of four directions, giving the floors a bold and unusual design.

Versailles Style Engineered Flooring

Be aware that all Parquet, Herringbone and Chevron floors can be difficult to install. This is because you need to install each parquet plank perfectly to create the right look.

About The Author

Yarl Christie

Yarl is the Managing Director of Stories Flooring. started his career in the flooring industry by becoming a floor fitter at the age of 18 (2004). Yarl finally decided to move with the times and set up an online flooring store (Flooring Yorkshire, 2018). He works closely with the business managers and resource team to source new products from wholesalers, which in turn brings down the sale price. This enables Stories Flooring to be one of the leading UK flooring retailers.