Our Floorboard Types
In Australia, floorboards are a popular choice for residential and commercial spaces due to their durability, aesthetics, and versatility. Here are the top five types of floorboards commonly installed in Australia today
1. Timber (Solid Hardwood) Floorboards
2. Engineered Timber Floorboards
3. Laminate Floorboards
4. Vinyl Plank Flooring
5. Hybrid Flooring
Each of these floorboard types caters to different needs, such as budget, durability, and aesthetic preferences, making them versatile options for Australian homes and commercial spaces.
Popular Flooring Patterns
The top 10 timber floor patterns commonly installed in Australia today include:
1. Straight Lay: This is the most common pattern where planks are laid parallel to each other, providing a clean and simple look.
2. Herringbone: This design features planks arranged in a zigzag pattern, creating a distinctive, elegant appearance.
3. Chevron: Similar to herringbone, but the ends of the planks are cut at an angle, forming a continuous V shape.
4. Basketweave: This pattern alternates between horizontal and vertical planks, creating a woven effect that adds texture.
5. Diagonal Lay: Planks are installed at a 45-degree angle, which can make a space feel larger and more dynamic.
6. Random Length: Planks of varying lengths are mixed together, providing a more rustic and natural look.
7. Parquetry: This involves arranging small pieces of timber in geometric patterns, often creating intricate designs.
8. Wide Plank: Using wider boards can enhance the natural beauty of the wood and create a more spacious feel.
9. Room Borders: Herringbone, Chevron and Straight planks
can be laid in conjunction with Room borders.
10. Reclaimed Wood: Incorporating reclaimed timber in various patterns can add character and a sense of history to a space.
These patterns are chosen for their aesthetic appeal and ability to complement various interior styles.
Common Timber Floor Finishes
In Australia, the most common timber floor finishes include:
1. Polyurethane: This is a popular choice due to its durability and resistance to wear and tear. It comes in both water-based and oil-based formulations, with water-based options being less toxic and drying faster.
2. Oil Finishes: These provide a natural look and feel, allowing the wood grain to shine through. They require regular maintenance but are appreciated for their easy touch-up capabilities.
3. Satin Finish: This is a semi-gloss option that offers a balance between shine and matte, providing a warm appearance while being easy to clean.
4. Matte Finish: This finish gives a more natural, low-sheen look, which is increasingly popular for contemporary interiors.
5. Hardwax Oil: Combining the benefits of oil and wax, this finish offers a natural appearance and is easy to maintain, making it a favorite for many homeowners.
These finishes not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of timber floors but also protect them from everyday wear and moisture.
Popular Flooring Timbers
The most popular timber flooring options in Australia include:
- Tasmanian oak: A premium hardwood with a light brown color with reddish hues. It's versatile, durable, and aesthetically appealing.Â
- Blackbutt: Well known for having high strength and durability. It can resist decay for more than 50 years, making it a great long-term investment. Blackbutt has a Janka dry hardness of 9.1kN, comparable to spotted gum.Â
- Spotted gum: A durable hardwood with a density of around 830kg per cubic meter, and a variety of dark brown highlights. It's also fire-resistant and termite-resistant.Â
- Jarrah: A dense, durable hardwood with a deep red-brown color. It's resistant to wear and tear, decay, and termites.
- Wormy Chestnut: A type of timber flooring made from a blend of eucalyptus species from southeastern Australia. It's known for its unique characteristics, such as deep red gum veins, ambrosia beetle holes, and worm trails.
- American Oak: A type of hardwood flooring that comes from oak trees native to North America.It's known for its distinctive grain pattern and is a popular choice for both traditional and modern settings.
Timber flooring is a popular choice for Australian homeowners because of its natural beauty, durability, and timeless appeal.It can last for decades if cared for properly, and experts recommend refinishing it every 10 years.
Caring for Your Timber Floor
Many of our clients have questions about the care of their new and refurbished timber floors.
We have compiled a number of tips covering the cleaning, polishing and even mopping of your floors.
We hope you find them useful.