Add value and beauty to your home

Chances are if you have come to this page, you're interested in laying a timber floor in your home or business. A very good choice!

Now you need to decide which type and colour (or species) of timber floor is right for you. And just as important, you need to find a qualified and experienced tradesman to lay your floor - even the most beautiful timber will not look good if laid poorly.

Quick Links
Types of timber floors
Timber Floor Installation
Maintenance
Where to buy: retailers near you

Choosing your Timber Floor - things to consider...

The Colour of the Timber

Generally bigger trees result in a darker colour. Lighter timbers might be more suitable for an open and airy room.

The Grade of the Timber

Character grade is for those who like their timber floor full of natural rich character created by knots, gum veins and insect holes in the timber.
Select grade gives a more elegant and consistent look through the floor, which can be important when matching your floor to its surrounds.
Standard grade is in between select and and grade character

Hardness of your floor - how much traffic will the floor encounter?

The hardness of a floor is measured by its Janka rating. The higher the rating, the harder the timber, and the less easily will it become damaged. For a high traffic floor, select a harder timber, or even bamboo, which has a higher Janka rating than most Australian hardwoods.

Maintenance and Installation

Solid strip timber and parquetry floors require a longer installation period as they need to be acclimatized to their surrounds, and involve adhesives and finishes to the floor which require time to dry.

On the other hand pre-finished engineered floors (or "floating floors"), bamboo, and laminate floors can be laid and walked on in the same day. In some cases you can even lay the floor yourself.

Most timber floors can also be re-sanded and re-polished to restore their natural glory, and will require occasional maintenance to keep them in top condition.

Natural Variation

Remember that timber is natural product, and that no two trees are the
same, which will result in variances of colour and grade. Some would say
this enhances the look of the floor, but it should always be expected
that there will be some variation with natural timber products.

Further information

In addition to this resource, your flooring retailer will be able to give you good advice on what floor is right for you, and recommend a good installer also.

Alternatively the Australian Timber Flooring Association (ATFA) website
lists accredited tradesmen who can install and finish your floor.