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.