Question 1

What is a herringbone tile pattern?

Accepted Answer

Herringbone is a rectangular tile pattern where each tile is laid at 45 or 90 degrees to its neighbour, creating a V-shape or zigzag that resembles the bones of a herring fish. It adds movement and visual interest to a floor or wall. Laid at 45 degrees it is called a true herringbone; at 90 degrees it is a parquet or French herringbone.

Question 2

Why is herringbone tiling more expensive than a straight bond?

Accepted Answer

Herringbone requires significantly more cuts, particularly at the borders where every edge tile must be cut to a precise 45-degree angle. The pattern also demands a slower, more considered laying sequence. Wastage is higher, typically 15 to 20 percent versus 10 percent. The extra time, skill and material cost is reflected in the price.

Question 3

What rooms does herringbone work best in?

Accepted Answer

Herringbone works in almost any room. It is most popular in kitchens and hallways where the dynamic pattern rewards the eye as you enter. Bathroom herringbone in a neutral tile gives a spa feel. Living room herringbone in a wood-effect plank tile gives a warm, sophisticated alternative to real timber.

Question 4

Do you lay herringbone on walls as well as floors?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Metro tile herringbone on a kitchen splashback or bathroom wall is one of our most popular commissions. The smaller tile format at 45 degrees creates a bold graphic pattern. Wall herringbone requires a solid, flat substrate and careful layout planning to keep the pattern centred and symmetrical.

Question 5

What size tile works best for herringbone floors?

Accepted Answer

Rectangular plank tiles between 100x600mm and 150x600mm are ideal for floor herringbone. The longer the tile relative to its width, the more dramatic the zigzag effect. Shorter, more square tiles reduce the visual impact. Mini herringbone in a 5x10cm or 6x12cm tile is a different look, giving a fine, intricate texture.

Question 6

How do you start a herringbone layout?

Accepted Answer

We always start from the centre of the room, or the most visible axis, and dry-lay the pattern before any adhesive goes down. This allows us to adjust the starting position to avoid very thin slivers at the borders, which look unfinished. The 45-degree border cut is the most labour-intensive part of a herringbone floor.

Question 7

What grout joint width do you use for herringbone?

Accepted Answer

For floor herringbone, 2 to 3mm is our standard joint width. For wall herringbone in metro tiles, 2mm is common. Larger format herringbone can go as wide as 5mm if the design calls for it. Joint width significantly affects the finished look, and we discuss options when we see the tile and room.

Question 8

How long does a herringbone floor take to lay?

Accepted Answer

Herringbone takes around 30 to 50 percent longer to lay than a straight bond of the same area. A medium kitchen herringbone floor typically takes two to three days. Large areas or complex borders take longer. We give you an accurate estimate at the quoting stage.

Question 9

Can herringbone tiles be used in a wet room or shower?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Small format herringbone, typically 50x100mm tiles, works excellently on wet room floors because the high proportion of grout joints gives good slip resistance. The floor must fall correctly to the drain, which requires careful planning on a herringbone layout.

Question 10

What is the most popular tile colour for herringbone in Sussex homes?

Accepted Answer

Charcoal grey and warm mid-grey porcelain are the most popular herringbone floor tiles we lay in Sussex homes. They are versatile, show grout lines beautifully and age well. Terracotta herringbone is increasingly popular for kitchen utility and conservatory floors. White or cream herringbone metro is the most popular wall choice.

Question 11

How much does herringbone tiling cost?

Accepted Answer

Herringbone tiling costs 15 to 25 percent more than a straight bond of the same tile type, due to the additional cuts and labour. A kitchen herringbone floor in porcelain typically costs 60 to 80 pounds per square metre fitted. We quote the full project before any work starts.

Question 12

Can you match my existing tile colour for a herringbone extension?

Accepted Answer

We can source matching or complementary tiles from the tile manufacturers range. If the tile is out of production, we can advise on the closest available match. We will get samples to site before quoting so you can approve the colour match.

Tile Format	Herringbone Use	Cut Complexity	Popular Rooms
Metro / subway (75x150mm)	Wall feature, splashback	Moderate	Kitchen, bathroom
Rectangular plank (100x600mm)	Floor	High	Hallway, living room, kitchen
Small format (50x100mm)	Floor feature band	High	Victorian porch approach
Large format (150x600mm+)	Floor	Very High	Open plan, kitchen-diner
Terracotta (100x200mm)	Floor	High	Kitchen, utility, conservatory

Herringbone Tiling Specialists Across Sussex

Herringbone Tiling FAQs