Make a Statement With a Herringbone Deck Pattern
April 13, 2022
The herringbone deck pattern is an elaborate, fun design that brings a dynamic look to your deck surface. Created by repeatedly laying two deck boards at a 45-degree angle, a herringbone arrangement can be designed with different deck board widths or colors to create an inspiring deck pattern. Due to the intricacy of the design, herringbone pairs best with larger decks that have the space for the pattern to repeat.
Pick Your Pattern
Explore deck board pattern ideas and choose the right one for your outdoor space.
How a Herringbone Deck Upgrades Your Outdoor Space
A herringbone deck features a tight, textured pattern that exudes sophistication. This unique design can elevate your deck layout in several ways to create an outdoor escape that’s perfect for relaxing afternoons with friends and family.
Makes A Small Space Seem Bigger
The herringbone pattern offers a lot of visual movement and can help make smaller spaces seem bigger.
Keeps Your Space Design-Forward
The tight, woven texture of a herringbone deck brings dimensionality and a designer deck flooring trend to your outdoor space.
Helps Designate Deck Space
The unique pattern of a herringbone design draws the eye and demarcates difference, letting you designate space for cooking, relaxation, or play.
Herringbone vs Chevron Deck Patterns
While the herringbone and chevron deck patterns seem similar, they will create different effects for your overall deck design. Choosing the pattern that’s right for your outdoor space will depend on the kind of visual movement you want for your deck and the style you prefer.
Herringbone Deck Design
A herringbone pattern looks like a broken zigzag, with each plank laid out at a 45-degree angle.
Chevron Deck Design
A chevron pattern on a deck is created when boards come together at a point to create an inverted “V,” or when the implied lines of the boards create an inverted “V” around a central deck board laid along the seam where the “V” boards converge.
Herringbone Deck Ideas
There are a number of herringbone deck ideas that allow this visually appealing pattern to be further customized with different deck board widths, colors, or additional in-laid patterns.
USE MULTI WIDTH DECKING
A herringbone deck pattern is usually constructed with narrow-width (3.5”) boards to accentuate the intricacy of the pattern. However, you can use standard-width or even wide-width boards if you prefer a larger pattern.
GO WITH A PATTERNED INLAY
An inlay is a portion of a deck surface that differs in color and/or pattern from the rest of the surface. A patterned inlay is one that shows off a pattern, such as a herringbone design (pictured).”
CHOOSE DIFFERENT COLORS FOR YOUR PATTERN
You can use the same color boards for your herringbone design as the rest of your deck surface for a subtle textural difference. Alternatively, you can make the pattern pop by using different deck colors for the inlay.
Building a Herringbone Deck
Due to the intricacy of its pattern, a herringbone deck will need additional substructure support with appropriate joist spacing and blocking at the time of installation. This will prevent the deck boards in the herringbone pattern from feeling weak or springy underfoot.
The Importance of Joists
Because of the angle of the deck boards, a herringbone pattern will require a combination of single and double joists (two joists installed side-by-side) to provide support where the ends of the boards meet. The specific substructure construction regarding joist spacing and blocking will depend on:
- Whether you use narrow- (3.5”), standard- (5.5”), or wide- (7.25″) width boards for the pattern.
- The pattern’s size, whether it’s a smaller inlay, or spans the entire deck.
During substructure construction, it’s important to ensure that all deck board ends are fastened to a joist for proper support. However, we recommend spacing the joists at 12 inches or fewer on center for any deck board running diagonally to ensure the ends of the boards are supported properly after installation.
WORK WITH A CONTRACTOR FOR EASY INSTALLATION
Due to the complexity of this pattern, we recommend working with a TimberTech-registered contractor who can ensure your deck’s substructure and design are laid out properly.
Bring the Beauty of a Herringbone Pattern to Your Yard
Now that you’re more familiar with herringbone deck ideas, you’re ready to design an outdoor space that is not only stylish but also meets your family’s needs. Work with one of our registered contractors to create a build that transforms your deck into an outdoor oasis.
Bring the Beauty of TimberTech to Your Backyard
Work with a TimberTech pro for a build that transforms your outdoor living space.
