Double herringbone: a wider zigzag

Herringbone and chevron · 6 min read · updated 5 November 2026 · Written by Tilelico

Each plank in the classic pattern is replaced by two planks side by side. The zigzag widens and the design becomes more graphic, provided the plank is slim enough.

Real example · calculated by Tilelico

Dining room of 4.20 × 3.60 m, 10 × 60 cm, 2 mm joint

WholeCutCut under 100 mmFixed unit

Slim planks multiply narrow cuts along the walls and the unit, and cut sizes vary widely: the plan shows the extent of it. Allow time for cutting, and compare several starting points in the editor.

Calculated result

Room area: 15.12 m²
Area covered: 13.19 m²
Whole pieces: 159
Cut pieces: 126
Actual need: 285
To order (+12%): 320
Waste with no offcut reuse: 22.8 %
Narrow cuts: 45

Most frequent cuts

126 cuts in 55 different sizes.

C01 · 100 × 488 mm× 4
C02 · 100 × 478 mm× 4
C03 · 100 × 468 mm× 4
C04 · 100 × 462 mm× 4

Setting out and products

Starting point 60 mm from the west wall and 295 mm from the north wall, then a 102 × 602 mm repeat. Estimated products: 46 kg of adhesive and 3.9 kg of grout.

Reproduce it in Tilelico

1Draw a 4.20 × 3.60 m rectangle, then add in the centre: Fixed unit.
2Choose the covering: 10 × 60 cm, 2 mm joint.
3Select the “Double herringbone” pattern.
4Set the distribution to “Balanced cuts” and the margin to 12%.

Open this example in the editor

When to choose it

It suits rooms where classic herringbone looks too tight, and slim planks that benefit from being grouped.

Best forPlanks at least three times longer than wide, such as 10 × 60 or 20 × 60.
Avoid ifYour size is 30 × 60: two planks almost equal its length, and the pattern no longer reads.

Continue with: Herringbone tile laying: the complete tutorial →

Preparing the job

Check the substrate’s flatness: slim planks highlight a defect in both directions.

Prepare a template of the first two-plank L: it is used to check the whole pattern afterwards.

Continue with: 45° double herringbone: the pattern pointing into the room →

Step by step

Step 1 — Mark the pattern axisTransfer the reference line from the plan, and check the square with a second line.
Step 2 — Build the first blockTwo lying planks, then two standing planks at their end, kept square.
Step 3 — Keep pairs togetherLay each pair in one go: it reads as a single wide plank.
Step 4 — Check the line of pointsError builds up along the diagonal: check it regularly with a straightedge.
Step 5 — Finish the edgesMany cuts are unique: measure on site, using the sheet as a guide.

Continue with: The basket weave lay: bundles of planks that cross →

Mistakes to avoid

Using too wide a plankThe bundle becomes almost as wide as the plank is long, and the zigzag disappears.
Underestimating cutting timeCuts are numerous and varied: job time follows them more than the area.

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

Does it need more tile than single herringbone?

Not necessarily. It depends on the room and the size: compare both patterns on your dimensions in the editor.

Can three planks be grouped?

That pattern exists, with an even slimmer plank. Tilelico currently calculates the two-plank version.

Technical references

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