How to choose a chevron floor for a Tribeca loft or townhouse: the angle, the species and the board size.
Planning a chevron floor in Tribeca? Talk with Joe Avila: call (908) 232-6600 or book a virtual consultation.
Chevron is a variation of herringbone, sometimes called French herringbone, and it dates to 17th century France. Instead of offset rectangles, each board is cut at an angle so the zig and the zag meet in one continuous point. In a Tribeca loft or townhouse, that line gives a large open room a clear sense of direction. Our chevron collection shows the species and formats we offer.
Why Chevron Suits A Tribeca Loft Or Townhouse
Tribeca homes tend to be generous in one direction: deep former warehouse lofts with windows at the ends, or townhouse parlor floors that run from street to garden. A straight plank floor can make those rooms feel like corridors. Chevron answers with a pattern that has rhythm without clutter, because every point lines up along a single axis. Set that axis toward the windows and the floor pulls the eye to the light. Our chevron wood floors page explains the pattern in more depth, and our herringbone guide covers its close relative.
Forty-Five Or Sixty Degrees: Choosing The Angle
Chevron boards are joined at either a 45 or a 60 degree angle, and the choice changes the room. A 45 degree chevron forms a balanced, horizontal pattern that works in both narrow and wide rooms. A 60 degree chevron produces a sharper, more vertical zigzag with steeper lines that draws the eye along the length of the room. Both demand precision milling and careful alignment so every point stays tight. Plan for 15 to 20 percent overage when ordering, and use our chevron floor calculator to account for angle and waste.
Rift And Quartersawn White Oak Chevron
For a quiet, architectural chevron, rift and quartersawn white oak chevron is the most requested choice. It is American white oak in Select and Better grade, ¾ inch thick, with a ⅝ inch engineered 2-ply option. Widths run from 2¼ to 6 inches, with lengths from 9 to 36 inches depending on width, and larger dimensions on request. It is supplied unfinished or with custom on-site natural oil treatments, and color effects range from White and Grey through Light Brown, Red Brown, Dark Brown and Black on our custom color effects page.
Considering chevron for a Tribeca loft? Book a virtual consultation with Joe Avila.
European Oak, Walnut And Wenge In Chevron
Beyond white oak, the collection includes richer species. European Oak (Quercus petraea) comes in Superior Selection, 20mm thick and 90mm wide, unfinished or prefinished in UV oil or natural oil. Darker options include American Black Walnut, African Wenge and African Red Padouk, along with British Collection oaks such as Kent and Devon, which are always supplied prefinished. A European oak chevron is shown in a Brooklyn townhouse project, a useful reference for a Tribeca townhouse with similar proportions.
Wide Plank Chevron Over Radiant Heat
Many Tribeca conversions and new condominiums sit on concrete, sometimes with radiant heat. Chevron is available in engineered construction that is compatible with radiant heat and concrete subfloors, while solid chevron is typically nailed, or nailed and glued, to plywood. Two projects on our projects page show what is possible: wide plank chevron in rift and quartered white oak, 5 by 35 inches and ¾ inch thick, installed over radiant heat and finished in pure WOCA natural oil. Our radiant heat guide explains the details.
Ready to plan your chevron floor? Speak with Joe Avila.
Quick Answers
What is the difference between chevron and herringbone?
Chevron boards are cut at an angle so each zig and zag meet in a continuous point, while herringbone uses offset rectangular blocks.
Which chevron angle should I choose?
A 45 degree chevron reads balanced and horizontal, while a 60 degree chevron is sharper and draws the eye along the room.
Can chevron go over radiant heat?
Yes. Engineered chevron is compatible with radiant heat and concrete subfloors.
How much extra material should I order?
Plan for 15 to 20 percent overage for a chevron floor.
Begin Your Chevron Floor With Joe Avila
Call (908) 232-6600, email joe@hugginsflooring.com, or book a virtual consultation. Explore herringbone, chevron, wide plank and parquet floors, or our sanding and refinishing and NWFA inspection services.
About The Author
Joe Avila is the founder of Huggins Wood Floor Specialist and leads New York City Wood Floors, a Huggins Wood Floor Specialist brand. He brings 26 years in wood flooring, is NWFA certified (CSI, CI, CWFI, CFS), and teaches AIA, IDCEC and ASID continuing-education courses. See his certifications.
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Contact New York City Wood Floors
Email: joe@hugginsflooring.com
Phone Number: 908-232-6600
Address: 406B West Broad Street, Westfield, NJ, 07090
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