Engineered Timber
Engineered timber combines a genuine hardwood veneer with a stable plywood base, giving you the authentic look, feel, and warmth of real timber with greater dimensional stability than solid wood. The plywood construction resists the seasonal expansion and contraction that affects solid timber in Australia's variable climate. Engineered timber can be installed as a floating floor, glued down, or — for select species — laid in stunning parquetry patterns.
Materials from $55/m²

Durability
Excellent
Maintenance
Regular
Best For
- Main living areas and open-plan spaces
- Forever homes and premium renovations
- Spaces where you want authentic timber warmth
- Bedrooms and studies
- Properties where resale value is a priority
Not Ideal For
- Wet areas — bathrooms, laundries
- Rental properties where durability is the primary concern
- Spaces with high moisture or humidity without climate control
Benefits
- Genuine hardwood veneer — real timber look and feel
- Can be sanded and refinished 1–3 times, extending floor life
- More dimensionally stable than solid timber
- Available in a wide range of Australian and European species
- Adds genuine warmth and character to interiors
- Parquetry and herringbone options available
- Increases property appeal and resale value
Things to Consider
- Higher cost than hybrid or laminate
- Requires careful acclimatisation before installation
- Not suitable for wet areas
- Scratches and dents are visible (though refinishing can correct this)
- Requires more subfloor preparation in some cases
Pricing Tiers
We offer engineered timber across three quality tiers. Material costs apply to supply + install jobs — bring your own product and pay installation only.
| Feature | Budget | Mid-Range | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Material Cost | $55 – $85/m² | $85 – $130/m² | $130 – $220/m² |
| Durability | Good | Excellent | Excellent |
| Maintenance | Regular | Regular | Regular |
| Best For | Bedrooms Studies Entry-level timber installs | Main living areas Quality renovations Long-term family homes | Luxury homes Parquetry installations Architect-designed interiors |
Budget
budget$55 – $85/m² (materials)
Durability
Good
Maintenance
Regular
Best For
Pros
- Real timber look
- Refinishable
- More affordable than premium
Cons
- Thinner veneer
- Fewer species choices
- Standard finishes only
Mid-Range
mid-range$85 – $130/m² (materials)
Durability
Excellent
Maintenance
Regular
Best For
Pros
- Thicker veneer
- Wide species selection
- Can be refinished 2+ times
Cons
- Significant investment
- Requires subfloor preparation
Premium
premium$130 – $220/m² (materials)
Durability
Excellent
Maintenance
Regular
Best For
Pros
- Thickest veneer available
- Exotic and select species
- Parquetry and bespoke patterns
- Exceptional character and grain
Cons
- High cost
- Long lead times for select species
- Requires expert installation
Installation Methods
We offer the following installation methods for engineered timber. Each method has different labour rates and suitability considerations.
Floating (Standard)
$18/m²Click-lock or tongue-and-groove boards floating over underlay. Best for DIY-accessible installs.
Direct Stick (Glue Down)
$28/m²Boards fully adhered to the subfloor for a solid, creak-free result. Recommended for concrete slabs.
Parquetry
$44/m²Decorative pattern installation (herringbone, chevron, basket weave). Premium labour, stunning results.
Style & Aesthetics
- Authentic timber species available: blackbutt, spotted gum, oak, walnut, and more
- Wire-brushed, hand-scraped, and smooth finishes each create a distinct character
- Parquetry and herringbone patterns create statement floors
- Wider boards (180mm+) create a luxurious, open feel
- Matt finishes are popular in contemporary Australian interiors
Durability
- Hardwood veneer thickness (2–6mm) determines how many times it can be refinished
- Plywood base provides excellent structural stability
- Hard species like spotted gum and blackbutt resist denting better than softer oak
- UV-stable finishes available to prevent sun bleaching
Care & Maintenance
- Sweep daily in high-traffic areas to prevent grit scratching the surface
- Damp mop with a timber-specific cleaning product — avoid excess water
- Refinish when the wear layer shows significant scratching (every 10–15 years typically)
- Use rugs in high-wear zones (dining chairs, entry points)
- Maintain consistent humidity levels to minimise seasonal movement
Frequently Asked Questions
The timeline depends on the area size and flooring type. A standard 3-bedroom home (80–120 sqm) typically takes 1–2 days. Larger areas, complex layouts, or parquetry patterns may take 2–4 days. We'll give you a more specific timeline when we assess your job. We can usually provide supply-only quotes within 24 hours and schedule installs within 1–2 weeks of confirmation.
Yes — the installation area needs to be clear before we arrive. We don't carry furniture removal as part of our standard service, so please arrange to have all furniture, rugs, and personal items moved out of the rooms being floored. For large or heavy pieces, we recommend organising a furniture removalist or getting help from friends or family the day before. We're happy to discuss specific circumstances if you have items that are difficult to move.
Our quotes are itemised and transparent. A full supply-and-install quote includes: flooring materials (with your chosen product and tier), installation labour, standard acoustic underlay, basic door trimming (up to 3 doors), and waste disposal. Additional items such as subfloor levelling, old flooring removal, stairs, skirting work, or regional travel are quoted separately as line items so you can see exactly what you're paying for. We don't bundle hidden costs into the material price.
Our primary service area is Melbourne metro and surrounding suburbs out to approximately 50km from the CBD. We do take on select jobs in regional Victoria — Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, and the Mornington Peninsula for example — but a travel surcharge applies and we'll be upfront about this in your quote. Contact us to discuss your location and we'll let you know if we can accommodate you.
The preparation required depends on your existing subfloor and the product being installed. Hybrid and vinyl floating floors tolerate minor imperfections but need subfloors that are within ±3mm over a 1.8m span. Significant highs and lows require grinding or patching. Engineered timber and glue-down vinyl require a very flat, clean surface. We assess subfloor condition at quote stage and include any required preparation costs as a separate line item. Subfloor levelling compounds are quoted at cost plus labour.
Maintenance varies by product type. For hybrid and vinyl: sweep or vacuum regularly to remove grit, damp mop with a pH-neutral cleaner, avoid steam mops, and use felt pads under furniture. For laminate: vacuum or dry sweep, clean spills quickly, use a barely-damp mop only, and never use steam. For engineered timber: sweep daily in traffic areas, use a timber-specific cleaner, and avoid excess water. We provide care instructions specific to your installed product on completion, and the manufacturer's care guide is included with all products.
Most of our standard hybrid, vinyl, and laminate products are available from local warehouse stock, with supply times of 3–7 business days. Engineered timber and selected premium products may have lead times of 2–4 weeks depending on availability. Specialty finishes, wide-format planks, or imported products can occasionally take 4–8 weeks. We'll confirm exact availability when preparing your quote, so there are no surprises before installation day.
For floating installations, we include standard acoustic underlay in our supply-and-install quotes. If you require an upgraded underlay — for example a thicker acoustic option for apartments, or a moisture barrier for concrete slabs — we'll recommend and include this in your quote. Some hybrid products come with underlay pre-attached to the plank, which affects the underlay spec. We'll guide you through what's needed for your specific situation.
Floating floors require a small expansion gap around the perimeter, which is usually covered by skirting boards or scotia moulding. We offer several skirting options: reattaching your existing skirting (if they're removable), supplying and attaching new scotia over existing skirting, or replacing all skirting with new boards. Each option is priced as a separate line item. We'll advise on the most practical and cost-effective approach for your home during the quoting process.
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