Timber flooring is a popular option for homeowners who want a beautiful and natural look for their floors. Barwon Timber specialises in providing high-quality timber flooring products and services in the Geelong, Greater Geelong, Southwest Coast and Southwestern regional areas of Victoria.
Barwon Timber offers a wide range of timber flooring options, including solid timber, engineered timber flooring, and flooring installation services. We pride ourselves on providing expert advice and excellent customer service to ensure that you get the perfect flooring solution for your home or commercial property.
How to Choose the Right Timber Flooring for Your Project
Timber flooring is a popular choice for many homeowners due to its aesthetic appeal, durability, and versatility. However, it’s important to have a good understanding of everything related to timber flooring before the installation begins. Here are a few reasons why:
- Cost: Knowing the cost of timber flooring and the different factors that influence its pricing will help you determine whether it is within your budget. It will also help you get the finish you are wanting without compromising quality.
- Durability: Understanding the different grades of timber flooring and their durability will help you choose the best option that will withstand heavy traffic and last for years to come.
- Maintenance: Knowing how to care for your timber flooring will help you keep it in good condition for longer, reducing the need for expensive repairs and replacements.
- Installation: Understanding the different installation methods for timber flooring and the skills required will help you choose a qualified installer who can deliver quality workmanship.
- Environmental Impact: Timber flooring has both environmental benefits and drawbacks. Knowing the source of the timber, its sustainability, and the environmental impact of its production will help you make an informed decision that aligns with your values.
If you are either researching yourself or getting advice from our helpful timber team, having a good understanding of timber flooring and the installation is crucial for making an informed decision that will meet your needs, budget, and preferences. It will also help you avoid costly mistakes and ensure that you enjoy the benefits of the flooring options that only a specialist timber flooring company can provide.
Types of Timber Flooring
Builder: MG Design – Tasmanian Oak
When you first begin the process of choosing a timber flooring option, it may be difficult for you to select the best one, due to the wide range of timber flooring choices available. The following information will help you understand the different types of timber flooring, benefits, and other factors to consider when choosing your timber flooring.
Solid Timber Flooring.
Barwon Timber specialises in solid timber flooring and supplies a range of solid timber flooring options to choose from including:
Solid Strip 19mm Flooring.
Solid strip timber flooring is a traditional style of floor board that is machined with a tongue and groove profile. The tongue and groove design of solid strip flooring makes it easier to join over joists, with the added benefit of being end matched. It is a popular choice for many older homes and commercial buildings and is often top nailed.
Solid strip timber flooring is versatile and can be installed over various structural subfloors, such as joists, battens, structural plywood over concrete, or particleboard flooring. As long as it is installed and maintained correctly, a solid strip timber floor can last a lifetime, making it a great investment for any home or commercial property.
Benefits of solid strip flooring
It’s Solid Timber
Because it’s made from solid timber, each board has a unique colour and feature, giving your floor a one-of-a-kind appearance. The raw finish of solid timber flooring also allows for a lot of customisation options. You can choose from different finishes such as stains, oils, solvents, and water-based finishes to create a look that best suits your personal style and preferences. This means you can achieve the exact aesthetic you’re going for, without compromising on quality or durability.
It’s a Structural Product
Solid strip flooring is a popular choice for customers who want to match their new flooring to an existing floor or install it over joists. In particular, some customers prefer the “springiness” of a floor installed over joists compared to one installed directly on a flat substrate like structural sheet flooring or concrete. If you’re looking for a flooring option that offers both versatility and comfort, solid strip flooring may be the perfect choice for you.
Can be Sanded and Recoated Multiple Times
If you want to refresh the look of your solid timber floor, it can be sanded and recoated multiple times. Not only does this give your flooring a new lease on life, but it also extends its overall service life. By completing a recoat, you can revitalise your timber floor and enjoy its beauty for many years to come.
Easy Maintenance
Solid timber floors are incredibly easy to clean and maintain. To keep your floors looking their best, simply use a vacuum or soft bristle brush to remove dirt and debris. For spills and stains, use cleaning products that are specifically designed for timber floors. If you need furniture pads to protect your floors, you can find them in our showroom. With these simple tips, you can keep your solid timber floors looking great for years to come!
Overlay 12mm to 14mm Flooring.
Builder: Desbo Building Group – 133 x 12mm Tasmanian Oak Flooring
If you’re looking for a timber floor that doesn’t require the structural properties of 19mm solid strip flooring, overlay timber flooring is a great option to consider. This type of flooring is made from solid timber and has a tongue and groove profile. One of the benefits of overlay flooring is that it can be secret nailed, which means there are no visible fixings across your floor.
Overlay flooring is typically supplied with a plain end and can be installed over a concrete slab or structural flooring. This makes it an ideal choice for renovations where carpet or another floor covering has been removed. Additionally, overlay flooring can be directly glued and nailed over existing timber flooring, concrete (80mm width only), plywood, or particleboard. This flooring option is machined with a tongue and groove profile, making for easy installation.
Benefits of Overlay Flooring
It’s Solid Timber.
With overlay flooring, each board will have its unique colour and features because of the solid timber used. The floor is supplied raw to allow you to add different finishes, such as stains, oils, solvent, and water-based finishes to suit your design preferences. Like solid strip flooring, if you wish to remove the timber flooring, it can be repurposed or recycled safely.
Can Be Sanded and Recoated Multiple Times
To give your overlay flooring a new look, it can be sanded and recoated multiple times. Check the set down of the tongue and groove on your overlay flooring, many profiles enable the same number of refinishes as structural timber strip flooring. Your timber floor will have a long service life and can be revitalised by completing a recoat during this.
More Cost Effective Than 19mm Solid Strip Timber Flooring
Overlay timber flooring is usually less expensive than 19mm solid strip flooring because it’s machined out of a smaller end section.
Engineered Timber Flooring.
Engineered timber floors offer a touch of elegance and comfort to any home with a variety of timber species to choose from. Engineered timber floors are crafted using multiple layers, making them sturdy and reliable, and can be effortlessly laid over many surfaces.
Benefits of Engineered Timber Flooring
Engineered Timber Can Installed Using Adhesive.
Engineered timber flooring can be installed using an adhesive such as HB Fuller’s XMS adhesive, or the floor can be floated over a level subfloor such as a concrete slab, particleboard, or plywood.
Engineered timber flooring is real timber and will look no different from traditional solid timber flooring. Its construction makes it more stable than solid timber flooring and less prone to dimensional reaction to moisture. Like solid timber flooring, engineered timber flooring is available in a range of species and thicknesses, so you can be sure to find a floor option that suits your specifications.
Similar Wear Durability to Solid Timber
Engineered flooring has a solid veneer of timber on the face surface. On average the face layer on each floorboard has a 3.5 – 4mm thick veneer of timber, allowing it to be sanded back multiple times.
Ready to Use After Directly After Installation
The manufacturing process of engineered flooring includes plywood substructures that are designed to reduce expansion and contraction. Engineered timber flooring is generally finished with a factory applied coating and requires no on-site work after installation. This means it is quicker to install and can be walked on sooner than solid timber flooring.
Wide Choice of Species, Colours and Finishes
Barwon Timber supplies a wide range of engineered timber flooring. Our showroom features an extensive display of engineered timber flooring options, and our dedicated team is ready to assist with any questions you may have. Some of the timber flooring brands we carry include:
- Pentarch
- Hurford
- Bosk
Timber Species include:
Blackbutt
Brush Box
Blue Gum
Ironbark
European Oak
Spotted Gum
Timber Finishes
We offer a wide variety of timber finishes that relate to the texture, coating, width of boards, and whether they are strip or parquetry floorboards. Custom orders can be made to create alternative feature blocks.
Our engineered timber flooring is available in a large range of colours and finishes and its best to view the flooring in our showroom before you purchase to make sure you are getting the right species, colour, finish, and to check on the availability.
If you would like to learn more about the range of engineered timber flooring visit our Engineered Timber Flooring page or visit our showroom at 50 Fellmongers Rd Breakwater (Geelong) Victoria 3219
Timber Flooring Installation Service
Barwon Timber can supply and install your timber and engineered floor. Our showroom in Geelong boasts one of the largest collections of solid and engineered timber flooring options in Victoria. Our team of experts will guide you through the selection process and manage the installation of your flooring project.
We provide a hassle-free experience by coordinating the delivery, installation, and finishing of your floor. Our showroom team can communicate with your builder to ensure that project timing and your preferences are considered. If you need an estimate based on your building plans, our friendly team are ready to assist you.
Flooring Installation Customer Estimate Form
To receive an estimate for our flooring installation services, all you need to do is complete our online form and upload accurately scaled plans that clearly define the desired flooring area and direction. Once we receive your submission, our team will promptly complete the estimate and send it back to you.
Timber Flooring Maintenance
Regular care is essential for maintaining timber floors and keeping them looking the same as the day of installation. The frequency of care required depends on the type of coating used and the level of foot traffic in the area. Over time, the floor may need to be revitalised through buffing and re-coating.
Post-installation care and maintenance
Post-installation care and maintenance of timber floorboards are essential to keep them looking new and extend their lifespan. Here are some tips for caring and maintaining your timber floorboards:
- Clean regularly: Sweep, vacuum and mop your floorboards regularly with a damp mop to remove dust and debris. This will prevent dirt from getting ground into the surface of the floorboards and causing scratches.
- Use the right cleaning products: Always use cleaning products that are recommended for timber floorboards. Avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners that can damage the finish.
- Protect from moisture: Timber floorboards can be damaged by excessive moisture. Avoid wet mopping, only use a damp mop and immediately clean up spills or wet spots.
- Protect from furniture: Place felt pads under furniture legs to avoid scratches and dents on the surface of the floorboards.
- Re-coat the floor: Over time, the floorboards may need to be re-coated to maintain their appearance and protect them from wear and tear. This should be done by a professional.
- Place mats at entrances to prevent grit being walked onto the floorboards.
- Refrain from wearing shoes with metal wear protection on the soles of the shoes.
- Make sure your pets nails are trimmed to them are not scratching the surface of the floorboards.
- Prevent direct sunlight exposure to the timber floors. Over time the suns UV rays will change the colour of the floorboards that are in contact with direct sunlight.
Repairing Scratches and Dents
If you have solid timber flooring and you see minor scratches, simply reapply the same coating used during installation. Keep note of the finish to avoid a visible difference in gloss. If the product is unavailable, coating a larger area may cause a mismatch with surrounding flooring.
If the flooring has a large scratch or dent you may need to sand the blemish out and then recoat the area. Using this method usually requires the sanding of a larger area and recoating, considering the floor leading into other areas which may also need to be recoated.
Refinishing and Polishing
Regardless of whether you have solid timber floorboards or engineered floorboards after many years of wear and tear you may decide to refinish and polish your timber floorboards throughout the entire floor area.
Refinishing and polishing timber floorboards is a process that involves sanding down the surface of the floors to remove any scratches, stains, or imperfections. Once the surface is smooth and even, a fresh coat of stain and sealer is applied to enhance the natural beauty of the wood. This process not only improves the appearance of the floors but also extends their lifespan by protecting them from further wear and tear.
Polishing timber floorboards is the final step in the refinishing process. This involves buffing the floors with a high-speed polisher to give them a smooth and glossy finish. Polishing not only adds shine but also helps to seal in the stain and sealer, making the floors more resistant to moisture and dirt. With regular maintenance, polished timber floorboards will remain looking beautiful and new for years to come.
Barwon Timber Moisture Testing Service
At Barwon Timber, we take all necessary measures to reduce the likelihood of any issues with your timber flooring. We ensure that our flooring comes from reputable suppliers, undergoes thorough testing, and is handled with utmost care. This gives you the assurance that the timber flooring you receive from us is of the highest quality.
Why Test Timber Flooring for Moisture Content
When it comes to installing solid timber flooring high moisture content in timber flooring can be a costly problem. This is because timber is a hygroscopic material that tends to absorb surface and atmospheric moisture, leading to expansion and contraction. To prevent excessive movement in the flooring, it is advisable to dry it to standard moisture levels. At Barwon Timber, we understand the importance of maintaining proper moisture levels in timber flooring to minimise the risk of any problems.
At Barwon Timber, we go the extra mile to ensure the quality of our timber flooring. In addition to the rigorous testing carried out by our suppliers, we conduct moisture and oven tests on all our flooring job lots. When we deliver your timber flooring, we provide a detailed record of the test results for your reference. It is important to note that timber flooring may be affected by local moisture and climatic conditions. We highly recommend discussing this with your builder or our knowledgeable Timber team to ensure proper care and maintenance of all your timber flooring.
You’ll be glad to know that Barwon Timber carefully store and deliver our timber flooring under cover to eliminate any moisture. To learn more about moisture testing timber flooring, watch this video.
Final Thoughts
Timber flooring is a popular option for homeowners and commercial properties, offering aesthetic appeal, durability and a natural look. However, before choosing timber flooring, it’s important to consider factors such as cost, durability, maintenance, installation and the environmental impact.
Barwon Timber specialises in high-quality timber flooring products and services. Our range of options include solid timber and engineered timber flooring, as well as an installation service.
Solid timber flooring is a great choice for those who want a traditional look for their floors. It is made from solid timber, giving each board a unique colour and feature and can be customised with different finishes such as stains, oils, solvents and water-based finishes. Solid timber flooring is available in two types: Solid Strip 19mm and Overlay flooring.
Solid strip timber flooring is versatile and can be installed over various structural subfloors, such as joists, battens, structural plywood over concrete, or particleboard flooring. It’s easy to maintain, can be sanded and recoated multiple times, and lasts a lifetime when installed and maintained correctly.
Overlay timber flooring is another option that doesn’t require the structural properties for solid strip flooring. It is made from solid timber and can be installed over a concrete slab or structural flooring. One of the benefits of overlay flooring is that it can be secret nailed, meaning there are no visible fixings across your floor.
Engineered timber flooring is another popular option that is made up of a real timber layer on top of a multi-layered base. The flooring can be installed over concrete or existing flooring and comes in a range of finishes and colours. It is also a cost-effective option for those looking for the beauty and durability of timber flooring without the high cost.
At Barwon Timber, we provide expert advice and excellent customer service to help you find the perfect flooring solution for your needs, budget, and preferences. Our team of experts can guide you through the selection process and help you find the perfect flooring solution for your project.
Contact us today and get started on creating the beautiful, durable, and natural look you desire for your floors.