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Flooring InstallationColumnsTile & Stone FlooringInstallation How-ToCTEF Tile Tip

How to Start a Diagonal Herringbone Layout

By Scott Carothers
Diagonal Herringbone Layout

The blue, red, and blue chalk lines seen here are popped parallel to the centerline of each pattern run to keep if nicely aligned.  The use of the large square, help to assure that the pattern doesn’t experience run off.

Photo: Nichols Tile & Terrazzo Co., Inc.

September 8, 2023

The wide array of tile shapes and sizes available in today’s market provides the consumer with almost endless design opportunities. One of the popular and possibly the oldest patterns is the herringbone with the name being derived from its resemblance to the bone structure of the herring fish. This pattern was used by the ancient Romans as the design of the stones used in their vast system of roadways which offered strength, durability and longevity.

The herringbone pattern of a ceramic tile installation, while attractive, is one of the harder and more challenging designs to install, especially when completed diagonally. The key question is where to begin the layout so that the cuts on either side of the installation are equal.

Installers need to decide where to begin the layout. Looking at the short end of the rectangular tile, is it the left side, the middle or the right side? All three will work, but to get it centered and balanced with equal cuts on either side, the starting point is the center of the end. For instance, if the tile measures 5-3/4”, the center would be 2-7/8”.

Once the 45-degree angle line is established on the centerline of the layout, the 2-7/8” mark (the center of the short side from the example) would be placed on the above-mentioned line. The installer has several options on how to keep the pattern straight. Some will rely solely on this line and start setting tile, but the safest and easiest way to keep it straight is to draw a line parallel to the centerline at the left and right edges of the tile. As seen in the attached image, a blue chalk line is snapped on each corner or points of the tile parallel to the red centerline.   

You will notice in our image, that the installer has placed the same series of blue, red and blue chalk lines on the opposite side of the pattern and will extend them to the adjacent patterns.

The challenging aspect of the diagonal herringbone and the need for chalk lines on each pattern edge line is that it may/will begin to move or creep away from the lines. Having them gives the installer the ability to realize the issue and correct it as he or she progresses.

Don’t be afraid of this pattern. Take a couple of plank tiles, establish the lines and play with it. You will quickly realize how it works and become comfortable. Additionally, you will learn how to chase the pattern run off, correct it and get a beautiful installation.

See more articles from our September issue!

KEYWORDS: Ceramic Tile Education Foundation (CTEF) flooring layout installing tile

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Scott carothers 2025

Scott Carothers is the Academic Director of the Ceramic Tile Education Foundation (CTEF) headquartered in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee (Nashville area). In 2007, he was hired and tasked with creating the Certified Tile Installer (CTI) program and in 2012, he was part of the team that created the Advanced Certifications for Tile Installers (ACT) program. 

For eighteen years, he has been providing training and education to others in the tile industry. Carothers has been involved in the ceramic tile industry for over 44 years and was the owner of a successful retail store and installation firm prior to coming to CTEF. 

Carothers served as President and Chairman of the Board of the National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA), Chairman of the NTCA Technical Committee, named the NTCA Tile Person of the Year in 2005 and received the NTCA Ring of Honor in 2013. He is a voting member of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), the Tile Council of North America (TCNA) Handbook, and NTCA Technical Committees. 

Scott has authored over 185 articles in tile industry print magazines including Floor Covering Installer, Tile, TileLetter, and eMagazine/Newsletter publications such as Floor Trends & Installation and TIleLetter along with covering numerous topics on the CTEF Blog, thereby sharing his knowledge and installation experience with his readers. Additionally, he recently retired from being a presenter and trainer for the NTCA Workshop and Regional Training programs and the NTCA Technical Hotline.

He may be contacted at scott@tilecareer.com or 864-222-2131.

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