Here are nine patterns that can be used with rectangular tiles, plank tiles, and wood planks. Some of these patterns are unique to tile, and some are unique to flooring, but most can be used with either material.
Stacked Bond
Just like it sounds, this pattern places tiles or planks next to each other with ends even. There is no staggering. This is rarely seen with wood flooring, but will more likely be seen with tiles, often with large format 12 x 24 tiles.
Stretcher Bond (AKA Staggered, Brick, Basic Subway)
This pattern can be created with any rectangular medium, like a basic subway tile or standard wood plank. Even with the fancy name, it is the pattern that we pretty much see every day.
Diagonal
As the name says, this is running planks from corner to corner instead of side to side. When using tiles, a diagonal can also be done with squares.
Chevron
A chevron is basically an inverted “V.” The pattern is created by placing a bunch of inverted “Vs” on top of and next to each other. It will require someone who is skilled in mitering, because there are lots of miters involved.
Herringbone
Where the chevron pattern is created by stacking “Vs” next to and on top of each other, a herringbone in made of “Ls.” Using tiles as an example, the “L” is created by placing one rectangular tile horizontally, and then placing the next one even with one end at a 90-degree angle.
Cobblestone
A variation on the herringbone pattern, it uses squares on the edges to produce a larger over-all pattern that is then repeated.
Windmill (AKA Parquet)
Windmill patterns can be basic or more complex; basic parquet is a square made of rectangles with a square in the middle. Some squares are larger than others. Larger external squares can have more elaborate squares or patterns inside, like a basket weave.
Basket Weave
Think of basket weave kind of like the old paper pasting you used to do in elementary school to make something look woven, you lay two equal sized rectangles next to each other horizontally, then the next two you lay together vertically, and then repeat.
Random Width or Length
There are many variations on this pattern; two are English Bond and English Stretcher Bond. English bond requires one row to be either fatter, or longer than the second row. For English Bond, there is no staggering that is not naturally created by the difference in sizes for each row. In English Stretcher Bond, the rows are then staggered such that row one is staggered from row three.
Pattern Names Have Long History
Interest in various patterns come and go over time. English masons developed the original naming of the patterns hundreds of years ago.
Before You Lay the Pattern, Consider This
One thing to take into consideration if you are planning to apply one of these patterns to your floor is the cost. The more elaborate the design, the more expensive the installation.
Another item to consider is the skill of those who lay they flooring. For wood flooring, there needs to be plenty of time for the floor to “cure” before staining. A floor is a living thing that needs to adjust to its environment. If it does not adjust, you will get cracks and/or ripples as the floor expands and contracts with the humidity and moisture of the seasons.
Skilled Craftsmen Insure Proper Installation
To insure the beauty and lifetime of your flooring, make sure to hire skilled installers who understand the idiosyncrasies of each material. City Tile has used the same sub-contractors for years, and they know the quality of their work.
City Tile’s sales staff can help you find the perfect flooring material for your remodeling or new build project, and help you make sure the end product will look great for years to come.
