FAQs

Engineered Timber (European Oak and Australian Timber)

Engineered timber is a more affordable alternative to solid timber. It combines a top layer of genuine hardwood timber (2mm, 3mm, 4mm or 6mm) with multiple layers of plywood to provide stability. Engineered timber has the same look as solid timber but is less expensive, more resistant to moisture and easier to install.

Pros: Appearance, durability, cost vs solid timber and stain/wear/scratch resistant.

Cons: Water resistant not waterproof, cost vs SPC and laminate.

Installation methods Direct glue-down and floating on underlay.

Laminate

Laminate has a high-resolution photograph of real hardwood timber combined with layers of high-density fibre to provide stability, durability, and moisture resistance. It provides the look of hardwood timber at a more affordable price.

Pros: Cost vs solid and engineered timber, durability, low maintenance and stain/wear/scratch resistant.

Cons: Photograph – not real hardwood timber. Water resistant not waterproof.

Installation methods Floating on underlay.

SPC Hybrid

Stone Plastic Composite (SPC) flooring consists of multiple layers, a UV coat, a print layer, a SPC core (limestone core) combined with PVC, and a balancing layer. SPC has become a very popular because it is waterproof, durable, cost effective and can be installed throughout the entire home including bathroom, laundry, and kitchen.

Pros: waterproof, inexpensive, durable and ease of installation, no need for separate underlay and low maintenance.

Cons: Print layer – not real hardwood timber.

Installation methods Floating on pre-attached underlay.

Glued-down means using an adhesive glue (such as Bostik Ultra-set) which is put directly onto the subfloor before laying any of your engineered wood flooring. The timber boards are fixed to the sub-floor. This is suitable for Engineered flooring, but not appropriate for laminate and SPC Hybrid flooring.

Pros: stability.

Cons: cost and difficult to install/remove/replace.

Floating (underlay) means putting an underlay (2-5mm foam or rubber) between the sub-floor and the timber flooring. The boards are not fixed to the sub-floor (they float over the sub-floor). This is suitable for Engineered flooring, laminate and SPC Hybrid.

Pros: cost, ease of installation (possible DIY), easy to remove/replace.

Cons: not as stable as glue-down.

Moisture barriers are applied between the floor and sub-floor to prevent moisture from the concrete sub-floor damaging the flooring. Most concrete sub-floors transmit moisture. A moisture barrier may not be required on a timber sub-floor.

For Floated Flooring: an underlay with a moisture barrier should be used on a concrete sub-floor for Engineered timber and laminate. SPC hybrid is waterproof, so a moisture barrier is not required.

For Glue-down: for a concrete sub-floor on the ground level a separate moisture barrier should be applied with the glue or a 2 in 1 glue/moisture barrier. A moisture barrier may not be required on non-ground floors.

For most apartment blocks the Body Corporate/Strata will have rules relating to acoustic barrier requirements. Always check with your Body Corporate prior to installation. Acoustic protection is measured using the AAAC Star Rating (1-6) with 1 being the lowest and 6 the highest.

For Floated Flooring: an underlay with an acoustic barrier of 4 stars or above is recommended.

For Glue-down: a separate acoustic barrier should be applied with the glue or a 3/4 in 1 glue/moisture/acoustic barrier to a concrete sub-floor for Engineered timber.

1. Visit the showroom to decide on the flooring type (Engineered Oak, laminate or SPC Hybrid) and colour.
2. We will provide an initial quote based on an estimate of:

• flooring area
• flooring type
• floating of glue-down
• stairs
• scotias/trims required
• removal of existing flooring
• floor preparation (levelling/grinding)

3. Deposit paid by customer.
4. Pre-installation inspection by qualified installer.
5. Final quote.
6. Installation date confirmed.
7. Payment required.
8. Installation