Quickstep | Impressive Design 8mm Laminate Herringbone Charred Oak

Installation Steps

1. Acclimatise the Boards: Leave the packs unopened in the room for at least 48 hours before fitting, at normal room temperature, so the blocks settle to the room's humidity before you commit to a layout.
   
2. Prepare the Subfloor: The subfloor needs to be level, dry, and free of debris, and this matters even more with herringbone than with straight plank. Because each block is short, any dip or high spot in the subfloor shows up far more readily across a zigzag pattern than it would along one long, continuous plank.
   
3. Measure the Area and Allow for Waste: Herringbone uses significantly more material than straight plank flooring, typically 15 to 20% extra rather than the usual 5 to 10%. The angled cuts needed to fill the zigzag edge around the entire perimeter of the room, plus the smaller block size, both add to the offcuts.
   
4. Install the Underlay: Roll out and butt-join the underlay as normal, keeping the surface smooth and wrinkle-free ready for a much higher density of joints than a plank floor.
   
5. Set Out the Room: This is the step that makes or breaks a herringbone floor, and it doesn't exist for plank installations. Find the centre point of the room and snap a chalk line down its length, then a second line at a true right angle across it, usually using the 3-4-5 method to confirm the angle is accurate. Dry-lay a row of blocks along these lines first to check the pattern sits square and central in the room before locking anything into place, since starting even slightly off-angle becomes very obvious by the time you reach the far wall.
   
6. Lay the Herringbone Pattern: Working outward from the centre lines in both directions keeps the pattern symmetrical and means any final cut pieces end up evenly sized on opposite sides of the room, rather than a full block on one side and a sliver on the other. Click each block into its pre-angled neighbour using the tapping block and mallet, checking every few rows with a square that the V pattern is staying true. Maintain the usual 10 to 15mm expansion gap around the full perimeter using spacers, and keep the floor floating, don't glue or fix it to the subfloor.
   
7. Cut the Perimeter Blocks: Once you reach the walls, every edge block will need an individual angled cut to square off the zigzag pattern against a straight wall, and no two cuts are usually quite the same, so mark and number each piece as you go rather than cutting a batch in advance. A mitre saw gives the cleanest angled cuts. As with plank cutting, cut with the decorative face down on a powered saw and face up if cutting by hand, to avoid chipping the visible surface.
   
8. Finishing Touches: Remove the spacers, then fit skirting or scotia beading to cover the expansion gap and transition strips at doorways, exactly as you would for a plank floor. The perimeter cuts in step 7 already square the edge off, so skirting fits normally despite the pattern underneath.
   

DIY vs. Professional Installation
Herringbone is considerably more technical than straight plank laminate, mainly because of the setting out in step 5 and the volume of individual angled cuts around the room. It's still achievable as a DIY project if you're patient and take the dry-lay step seriously, but it takes noticeably longer per square metre than a plank floor, and a small error in the initial angle is much harder to correct once you're a few rows in. If you're not confident measuring and squaring a room accurately, professional installation is worth the extra cost here more than it is for a standard plank floor.

What is laminate flooring?
Laminate flooring is a stylish and durable alternative to hardwood, using ultra-realistic printed designs and textures to replicate expensive wood species at a fraction of the cost.

What is laminate flooring made of?
Laminate is built up in four layers: a backing layer for stability, a high-density fibreboard (HDF) core, a printed decor layer that gives the wood or stone effect, and a clear wear layer on top for protection. Many modern ranges add a water-resistant or fully waterproof coating to this top layer.

What are the advantages of laminate flooring?
Laminate offers scratch and fade resistance, a realistic wood look and feel underfoot, low maintenance, and straightforward DIY installation thanks to its interlocking click system. It's also significantly cheaper than solid or engineered wood, and many ranges are compatible with underfloor heating.

What are the disadvantages of laminate flooring?
Standard laminate can be damaged by prolonged exposure to moisture, so it's not generally recommended for bathrooms or other wet rooms unless you choose a specifically water-resistant or waterproof range. Unlike solid wood, laminate also can't be sanded down and refinished, though individual damaged planks can usually be replaced.

How thick should my laminate flooring be?
Most domestic laminate ranges from 8mm to 12mm thick. A thicker board generally feels more solid underfoot and does a better job of disguising minor subfloor imperfections, but durability comes mainly from the AC rating and wear layer, not thickness alone.

What does the AC rating for laminate flooring mean?
The Abrasion Class (AC) rating measures how much foot traffic your laminate can handle, from AC1 for light domestic use up to AC5 for heavy commercial areas. AC4 is the standard for most family homes, with AC5 suited to hallways, kitchens, and commercial settings.

What is the difference between laminate and vinyl flooring?
Laminate has a wood based HDF core with a printed image layer on top, while vinyl (including LVT, SPC and WPC) is made from PVC or a mineral composite core, which makes it inherently more water resistant and often fully waterproof. Vinyl also tends to feel softer and warmer underfoot, while laminate typically has a slightly harder, more authentic wood like surface.

How long does laminate flooring last?
With proper care, laminate flooring can last for many years, and is often backed by warranties ranging from around 15 years up to a lifetime guarantee, depending on the range.

How do you install laminate flooring?
Laminate planks click together using an interlocking joint system, allowing the floor to float above the subfloor without glue or nails.

Where can I install laminate flooring?
Laminate can be installed in most rooms of the home, including on any floor level, provided the subfloor is dry, flat, and stable. It's not recommended for bathrooms, wet rooms, or other high moisture areas unless you've chosen a water-resistant or waterproof range.

Does laminate flooring need underlay?
Yes, underlay is essential for sound absorption, insulation, and smoothing out minor subfloor imperfections. Some laminate ranges come with an underlay already attached.

How do you clean laminate flooring?
Sweep or vacuum with a soft brush attachment, then damp mop using a cleaning solution made specifically for laminate. Avoid excess water, as it can seep into the joints and damage the core.

What are the best laminate floor cleaners?
Non-abrasive, pH-balanced cleaners designed specifically for laminate work best. Always check the manufacturer's care guidelines before using a new cleaning product.

Does laminate flooring add to a home's resale value?
Yes, a well-fitted, good quality laminate floor can enhance a home's overall appeal and resale value, particularly when it replaces worn or dated flooring.

Delivery Information
At Newland Floors and Doors, we aim to provide efficient and reliable delivery services. Please read the following information to understand our shipping process and policies.

Stock Availability and Shipping Times
We keep stock of our most popular products. Your order will be dispatched either from our premises or directly from the manufacturer or supplier. Shipping times may vary depending on product availability and type. If your order contains multiple products, please note these may arrive as separate deliveries on different days.

Flooring and Door Deliveries
Once your order is received, we aim to process deliveries quickly. The typical delivery time is between 3 to 5 business days, although it may be longer during peak seasons, weekends, or public holidays. We'll be in touch to confirm delivery details ahead of time so you know when to expect your order.

All flooring and door deliveries are kerbside only, meaning the goods will be left at the kerb or the nearest accessible point to your property, and you'll need to bring them in yourself. Flooring packs are heavy, often 20kg or more, so please arrange help carrying them in, particularly if there's any distance between the kerb and your door. If this could be an issue, please let us know at the time of your order to discuss alternative delivery options

Checking Your Delivery
Please inspect your goods at the time of delivery, before signing for them. If anything appears damaged or you're missing items, note this on the delivery paperwork and contact us straight away. We're unable to accept damage claims made after goods have been signed for as received in good condition.

Important Notes

• Deliveries may be made using various commercial vehicles, including up to 18-tonne lorries. We assume that your property is accessible to these types of vehicles.
• Large quantities of flooring cannot be carried up stairs or into upper-floor properties, including flats above ground floor (even where a lift is available) and communal areas. For flats, your order will be left at the external doorstep on the ground floor. For properties with stepped access, the flooring will be left at the bottom of the steps.
• Drivers may need assistance with unloading larger items. If access is likely to be an issue, please let us know at the time of your order to discuss alternative delivery options.
• Deliveries to certain areas, such as Scotland, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Wight, the Isle of Man, Northern Ireland, and others, may take longer than the usual delivery time.
• We currently only ship within the UK and do not accept orders for the EU or other international locations.

For further assistance or inquiries, please don't hesitate to contact our team.

Cancelling Your Order
If you wish to cancel your order before it has been dispatched, please contact us with your order number and the details of the item(s) you wish to cancel.

Damaged or Missing Goods
Please check the outer packaging at the time of delivery, and sign as unchecked if you're not able to inspect it fully before the driver leaves. In the rare event that you receive damaged goods or there are missing items, please contact us directly as soon as possible so we can resolve the issue swiftly. Please send photos of the damaged products along with your order details within 48 hours of receiving the goods.

Leftover Packs
We accept returns of unused and unopened packs of flooring within 30 days of delivery, subject to the conditions below and a supplier restocking and collection fee (see below).

Please note the following conditions for returns:

• All goods must be stored correctly (at ambient temperature, away from moisture) and will be moisture-read on return to Brooks. If the moisture reading is outside the 7-11% WME range, a refund will not be issued.
• All goods must be in their original packaging with only clear tape used to reseal packs.
• On receipt, returns will be inspected, and any damaged goods will be deducted from the return value.
• A restocking and collection fee applies to all returns made under this 30-day policy. This fee is set by our supplier and passed on directly, we don't add anything on top. We will always inform you of the fee prior to your return and confirm any deductions before arranging collection.