Wood flooring types and patterns

A wood floor is defined as much by how it is made and laid as by its species. This section covers the main constructions and the classic patterns, explaining how each works, where it performs well and what it asks of the subfloor and the installer.

Constructions

• Solid wood: each board is a single piece of timber through its whole thickness.
• Engineered wood: a hardwood top layer bonded over a more stable core.
• End grain: blocks cut across the trunk and laid with the grain standing upright, so the growth rings show on the surface.

Patterns and formats

• Herringbone and chevron: two zigzag patterns that are often confused. The difference lies in how the ends of the blocks are cut.
• Versailles panels: square panels with an interlaced lattice design.
• Wide plank: long, broad boards that show off the grain.
• Reclaimed wood: timber salvaged from older buildings and given a second life.

Each page includes a key-facts table, common questions and links to the sources used. For the timber itself, see the species profiles, and for laying it, the installation methods guide.

Choosing between them

Start with the room and the subfloor rather than the look. Ask how much moisture and temperature change the floor will face, whether there is underfloor heating, how much foot traffic it will take, and how many times you want to be able to sand it over its life. Those answers usually narrow the choice of construction. The pattern and the species can then follow from the style you want.