The basket weave lay: bundles of planks that cross

Geometric patterns · 5 min read · updated 5 November 2026 · Written by Tilelico

Planks laid side by side form squares, and each square changes direction from its neighbours. The floor takes on a woven look, using perfectly ordinary sizes.

Real example · calculated by Tilelico

Entrance hall of 3.50 × 3.00 m, 15 × 30 cm, 2 mm joint

WholeCutCut under 100 mmStaircase

Waste stays moderate and cut sizes vary little, which makes cutting simpler. The plan still flags a few narrow cuts: shift the grid to compare other starting points.

Calculated result

Room area: 10.50 m²
Area covered: 9.14 m²
Whole pieces: 140
Cut pieces: 84
Actual need: 224
To order (+12%): 251
Waste with no offcut reuse: 9.3 %
Narrow cuts: 16

Most frequent cuts

84 cuts in 12 different sizes.

C01 · 150 × 282 mm× 22
C02 · 228 × 150 mm× 18
C03 · 300 × 131 mm× 10
C04 · 150 × 231 mm× 8

Setting out and products

Starting point 230 mm from the west wall and 284 mm from the north wall, then a 608 × 608 mm repeat. Estimated products: 32 kg of adhesive and 2.3 kg of grout.

Reproduce it in Tilelico

1Draw a 3.50 × 3.00 m rectangle, then add in the centre: Staircase.
2Choose the covering: 15 × 30 cm, 2 mm joint.
3Select the “Basket weave” pattern.
4Set the distribution to “Balanced cuts” and the margin to 12%.

Open this example in the editor

When to choose it

It suits entrances, bathrooms and small rooms with character, where a discreet pattern is enough to bring the floor to life.

Best forSizes whose length equals two, three or four widths, such as 15 × 30 or 20 × 60.
Avoid ifYour size does not have that ratio: the pattern does not close, so Tilelico does not offer it.

Continue with: Herringbone tile laying: the complete tutorial →

Preparing the job

Check your planks’ real ratio with their joint: two planks and a joint do not quite equal one length, and the difference moves to the end joint.

Choose a joint that absorbs this difference without showing, within the data sheet’s limit.

Continue with: The pinwheel lay: four planks around a small square →

Step by step

Step 1 — Mark a grid of cellsThe cell pitch is the plank length plus its joint. Transfer it in both directions.
Step 2 — Dry-lay four cellsTwo lying and two standing, diagonally: this confirms the joint and the pattern’s direction.
Step 3 — Lay cell by cellFinish each cell before the next, keeping the bundle square.
Step 4 — Check end jointsThey carry the size difference: check they stay even over several cells.
Step 5 — Cut the edgesWith few cut sizes, cutting can be batched from the sheet.

Continue with: Double herringbone: a wider zigzag →

Mistakes to avoid

Tightening the joint to catch upThe bundle then overflows its cell, and the shift grows with every row.
Mixing up cell directionsA single reversed cell stands out immediately across the floor.

These pointers describe common practice, not imposed rules. The data sheet for your covering and for your installation products always takes precedence, and measurements taken on site are the reference.

Frequently asked questions

Which size suits a basket weave?

A length of two widths gives the clearest pattern. With three or four planks per cell, the design becomes finer.

Can wood flooring be laid in a basket weave?

The principle is the same if the board ratio suits, but the product must allow it. The name sometimes refers to other wood patterns too.

Technical references

This guide describes common installation practices. It does not replace applicable technical documents, manufacturer instructions or measurements taken on site.