How to create a Herringbone Decking Pattern

Decking as a Creative Canvas

There is more than one way to arrange the decking to create a unique and aesthetic design. After all, your decking is something that covers your entire deck area leaving a lot of space where you can express yourself. Think of your deck floor as a canvas where you can paint it in any way that pleases you or speaks to you by arranging the deck tiles in a specific fashion.

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What Is a Herringbone Decking Pattern?

One of the ways you can arrange your decking in a specific way to create a certain feel or aesthetic is by creating a herringbone decking pattern. A herringbone decking pattern is a staple of European design where you create a pattern by arranging your decking in parallel lines. With the lines in one column sloping one way and the other way around. This is also called a chevron pattern. As a matter of fact, these can be found all around you where this pattern can be seen in woven goods, masonry, parquetry, embroidery, indoor flooring, and outdoor living ideas too. A Herringbone pattern is done by hand, quite like weaving a basket you weave the pattern entirely intricately going piece by piece with added additional support for the angled board. The Diagonal Herringbone design gives the deck a more lavish feel which makes the deck look visually expensive. 

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Where You Can Use It

This type of design can not only be done on simpler square and rectangle decks but also on more complex shapes such as octagons. These octagons can be decked as an offset pattern following the shapes of the frame. The goal of this pattern is to give the look of a weave or that angled zipper effect meaning you can even do this with square tiles in which your decking direction alternates to create this specific look. 

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Materials to Consider

Before you proceed, make sure that you buy good-quality decking materials that are treated against moisture and heat. This means, your average tanzanite stone deck tiles are a great choice for this kind of decking pattern since these last quite literally forever and can weather the storms or heat or even snow. Tanzanite deck tiles are available in many dimensions and colors to suit your every deck style aesthetic and needs. These are also very easy to install and can be ordered online easily. You can even order a sample pack from Tanzite to see what kind of tile would suit you more.

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Framing and Cost Considerations

However, do remember that this pattern looks visually beautiful but requires a much more complex frame to hold on to it. Consequently, you would need to install more joists which will also raise the total cost of your decking while on the other hand it will definitely be a welcome tradeoff since it will add a lot of personality to your deck and to your yard. 

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Installation Steps

Step 1: Space the support boards properly. This is because if your support boards are placed on an angle then their supporting a herringbone pattern can span more of your decking, and longer boards can be placed straight across, cutting cost plus, straight boards would need more additional support from the structure to maintain the integrity of it. The row spacing for 2 by 6-inch surface boards at a 45-degree angle is 22 inches on centre, maximum. For composite decking, a maximum of 12 inches should suffice.

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Step 2: Add additional blocking to support your boards. Place two 2-by-6-inch treated blocking boards between the support boards of the same size at the location where you want this herringbone pattern to happen. Make sure you leave about ½ inch space between the blocking boards.

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Step 3: Start by making a triangle out of plywood and place it neatly in the corner of your deck to set the angle for the boards. Lay your surface boards in this diagonal herringbone pattern with a 45-degree measure. Measure carefully and make sure that all the cuts in your decks are properly done and are neat squares. These should be aligned equally and properly along the blocking boards. When done laying down, allow the boards to overhang the edge of the deck. After this, you should trim the edges and secure the boards at the same time.

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This pattern requires you to add a substantial amount of blocking to the frame to provide proper support and a solid surface you can fasten to. While using stone deck tiles you should consider adding contrasting colors to add emphasis to your effect. Try your best to avoid working with smaller pieces of decking as arranging these could be a hassle requiring you to put more pieces in place than there should be. The more the parts there are the harder it becomes to keep these in place as their Butt Joints and Miter Cuts can separate over time and small pieces can even loosen and fall out.

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FAQs

What is a herringbone deck pattern?

• It’s a “broken zigzag” made from rectangular boards interlocking at right angles, typically laid at ~45° to the frame (not the same as chevron, which uses mitred ends).

How is herringbone different from chevron?

• Herringbone: square-cut board ends interlock at 90°. Chevron: board ends are cut at an angle to form sharp V-points.

Does a herringbone deck need extra framing?

• Yes—plan additional blocking (and often double joists or a blocking “ladder”) under seams so tips and joints are solid.

What joist spacing should I use?

• For composite decking at 45°, most brands call for 12″ on-center; straight-lay is typically 16″ O.C. Always check your product’s guide.

How much extra material will I need?

• Expect +15–30% more than straight-lay: diagonal/herringbone increases off-cuts and layout waste. (TimberTech suggests ~30% for herringbone; Decks.com/retail guides cite ~15%+.)

Do I need a center divider (breaker/“zipper”) board?

• Often yes—it helps anchor the pattern and hide board length limits. Frame for it with blocking or doubled joists where the “zipper” lands.

Should I add a picture-frame border around a herringbone field?

• Highly recommended for a clean edge and to catch cut ends; frame correctly at the rim when you install the border.

What layout method reduces mistakes?

• Snap a centerline, square the frame, then set the angle with a 45° triangle/speed square and work out from the middle; pre-plan blocking at the seam.

Will a herringbone pattern make a small deck feel bigger?

• Yes—the tight, woven geometry adds visual movement that can make small spaces feel larger.

Can I do herringbone with composite boards?

• Absolutely—just follow the brand’s framing rules (e.g., 12″ O.C. at 45°, plus added blocking).

What board gaps should I leave?

• Follow your brand: many specify 1/8–1/4″ board-to-board; Trex commonly calls for 3/16″ width-to-width (larger near water) and temperature-based end gaps.

Is herringbone a DIY-friendly pattern?

• It’s advanced: more cuts, more framing, tighter tolerances. Pros still pick it for the payoff—just budget extra time and materials. 

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