Types of Timber Floors

Timber Floors are long lasting, elegant and have a timeless appeal. They are sustainable, and there is now more choice than ever with regard to the type and colour of your floor. And because wood does not collect dust and other allergens, it is also the healthy choice!

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Solid strip timber and parquetry floors
Engineered Floating Floors
Laminate Floors
Bamboo Floors
Cork Floors

Solid Strip Timber & Parquetry floors

Grey Gum Solid Timber Floor

Solid strip timber and parquetry floors can be grouped together because they are both solid timber floors, and are therefore manufactured, treated and laid in the same way.

They are the longest lasting and most prestigious type of floor, and give the highest quality finish.

For a start, the timber is same high grade all the way through, and requires extensive treatment in the manufacturing process, including kiln drying, airing, and in some cases treatment to the wood (for example Spotted Gum timber in NSW and Queensland has to be treated for Bora). The timber also needs up to two months acclimatizion in the environment in which it will be laid.

Solid strip timber is what you might traditionally recognize as a "floorboard", and comes in a range of different colours (or species). It is sold in lengths ranging from 0.6m to 5.4m long, and comes as either solid 19mm thick
boards, or 12-14mm tongue and groove overlay.

Mosaic Parquetry

Block Parquetry

Parquetry comes in two types - block or mosaic - and are small

solid timber blocks of wood, which are laid to give a certain pattern on the
floor. Block parquetry timber is typically 260 x 65 x 19mm thick or 260 x 65 x 14mm thick, and because of its extra thickness is extremely hard wearing and long lasting.

Mosaic parquetry is comprised of solid timber fingers arranged in small square panels, highlighting the attractive natural colours of individual timber species. Standard size panels are 7 finger 289 x 289 x 8mm and 5 finger 480 x 480 x 7mm thickness.

Visit our installation page for information on how to lay solid strip timber
and parquetry floors.

Engineered or Floating Floors (or pre-finished timber floors)

Floating floors are a popular alternative to solid floors as they are cheaper,
quicker to install, easier to maintain, use less of the natural timber
resource, yet still give the look of a genuine timber floor.

The planks are typically 1.8 metres long, and are made up of three layers of different timber. The top surface layer (or veneer) is a premium quality hardwood face about 3-4mm thick, and comes in many different species and colours.

The veneer is pre-finished (meaning it can be walked on as soon as it is laid) with up to five scratch and stain resistant coatings, making it very durable against general wear and tear and stains. The top layer is adhered onto two cross-ply layers of plantation grade timber, giving the floor strength and dimensional stability.

Engineered floors can be one, two or three strips wide. Single strip is generally the most expensive, giving the closest look to a solid timber floor.

Visit our installation page for requirements

Laminate Floors

Laminate floors are a relatively new introduction into the timber flooring market, and give the look and feel of a timber floor, but with all the durable qualities of laminate. Also it is not subject to problems with natural timbers such as checking, cupping, contraction and expansion.

A laminate floor is made of HDF - High Density Fibreboard - which then has an image of a timber species adhered on top to give it its natural timber look. The protective laminate is then applied over the picture. The look of the floor will be more consistent than a solid or engineered floor as it won't show natural variations in wood.

A laminate floor is extremely tough and durable (tougher than engineered floors) making it an ideal family floor, or for light commercial installations.

Embelton laminate floors use the licenced Unilin clicking system meaning the floor can be laid quickly and easily and walked on immediately. Damaged planks can also be easily replaced should it be required.

For installation instructions of laminate floors, visit our installation page.

Bamboo - better than timber?

Bamboo Floors

Bamboo floors are another relatively new entrant into the timber flooring market, and are popular for their versatility, strength and sustainability.

Embelton Bamboo, regarded as the highest quality affordable bamboo floor in Australia, is manufactured using the strand woven technique, resulting in greater density and stability. Bamboo is also the most environmentally friendly choice, as it re-grows much quicker than timber.

Embelton Bamboo Flooring is pre-coated with 7 coats of UV Acrylic to give it a beautiful finish, and extra durability, and comes in Natural, Coffee and Tiger.

The floor uses the Unilin clicking system, meaning it can be installed and walked upon straight away.

Cork Floors

Cork - soft and warm underfoot

Cork Tiles

Cork is a naturally sustainable flooring product that is soft and warm underfoot. Like solid timber, it is very durable and can be re-sanded a number of times to restore its original beauty. It is manufactured into tiles of dimensions 300x303x6mm.

Cork also offers excellent sound and vibration qualities.