Ship-deck wood flooring: a regular offset between boards

By covering type · 6 min read · updated 5 November 2026 · Written by Tilelico

A ship-deck lay offsets each row by the same regular amount. The design runs along the length of the room, like the deck of a ship.

Real example · calculated by Tilelico

Living room of 5.60 × 4.80 m, 12 × 120 cm, 8 mm expansion gap

WholeCutCut under 100 mmFixed unit

Waste remains significant and the plan flags several narrow cuts: with slim boards, a run can land almost against a wall or the unit. Shift the grid in the editor to compare other starting points.

Calculated result

Room area: 26.88 m²
Area covered: 23.78 m²
Whole pieces: 86
Cut pieces: 143
Actual need: 229
To order (+10%): 252
Waste with no offcut reuse: 27.9 %
Narrow cuts: 11

Most frequent cuts

143 cuts in 12 different sizes.

C01 · 120 × 992 mm× 30
C02 · 120 × 592 mm× 30
C03 · 120 × 192 mm× 30
C04 · 120 × 792 mm× 13

Setting out and products

Starting point 100 mm from the west wall and 600 mm from the north wall, then a 120 × 1,200 mm repeat.

Reproduce it in Tilelico

1Draw a 5.60 × 4.80 m rectangle, then add in the centre: Fixed unit.
2Choose the covering: 12 × 120 cm, 8 mm expansion gap.
3Select the “Third offset” pattern.
4Set the distribution to “Balanced cuts” and the margin to 10%.

Open this example in the editor

When to choose it

It suits living rooms and long rooms, where the regular offset follows the eye.

Best forFixed-length boards, especially in large rooms.
Avoid ifYou want a floor with no visible repetition: a random lay hides it better.

Continue with: Brick-bond wood flooring: laying boards with alternating end joints →

Preparing the job

The offset has no single value: the example uses a third of a board. Check what your product allows.

Plan the underlay and vapour barrier required by the substrate, according to the sheet.

Continue with: Laying a floating wood floor: expansion, offcuts and direction →

Step by step

Step 1 — Set the offset valueDecide before starting: it repeats identically on every row.
Step 2 — Prepare an offset gaugeAn offcut at the right length saves measuring on every row.
Step 3 — Lay the first rowFit the expansion spacers and check straightness against a line.
Step 4 — Offset each row by the same amountTransfer the offset with the gauge and check the minimum gap between neighbouring end joints.
Step 5 — Finish against the wallsMeasure the last boards on site, keeping the planned gap throughout.

Continue with: Third-offset tile laying: the reference for long sizes →

Mistakes to avoid

Changing the offset part way throughThe eye reads the rhythm of the joints: a break shows at once.
Ignoring the last runToo slim, it is fragile and visible: adjust the first run to avoid it.

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 offset should I choose?

A third is a common reference, but the value depends on the product and the desired effect. You can compare them in the editor.

Does a ship-deck lay waste more?

That mostly depends on the room and the board length. A calculation on your dimensions beats a general percentage.

Technical references

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