Our Honest Opinion On These Flooring Options

There is a long list of choices to make when you’re building, and flooring is up there with one of the harder decisions - at least, that’s what our clients say! A lot has changed in the industry over the last 10 years, and it can be hard to trust in the opinion of salespeople - so we thought we’d go right ahead and put our thoughts on paper. Here’s our quickfire thoughts (honestly included) on these flooring options …

Solid Timber:

As builders, solid timber will always be our first love. If treated and maintained correctly, timber flooring can last well over thirty years. However, you have to be careful with selecting an appropriate timber to avoid denting, warping and shrinking. The installation and finishing process is labour intensive AND a lot of love needs to go into the maintenance. If your pocket is heavy with coins, go for it! For most people though (and it pains us to say this) it’s not worth the cost or the admin.

In summary: Only if you’ve got a fat wallet and a lot of time

Engineered Timber:

Engineered flooring is still 100% timber - it’s just been re-jigged a bit. Floorboards are usually made of three layers: the pretty top ‘wear’ layer of premium wood, a middle layer of strong wood (like spruce), and a softwood or veneer backing to provide stability. It’s prefinished, quick to install and not prone to warping.  It’s also a more sustainable choice- for every square metre of solid wood, four square metres of engineered flooring can be produced. Don’t get hung up on the thickness of the timber - a high-quality coating is more important, and a lacquered (not oiled) finish - is a better choice if you want to minimize maintenance.  

In summary: winner, winner chicken dinner

Laminate flooring:

We won’t deny that our preference is for ‘real’ timber - but solid or engineered timbers aren’t in everyone’s budget. There’s a certain practical appeal to laminate - and it’s certainly not a ‘dirty word’ like it used to be in the industry. One big ‘tick’ is that it can be used across living and ‘wet’ areas (kitchen, w/c, bathroom) for a seamless look. There’s very little maintenance involved and it’s a good option if you have pets. Look for an option with good underfoot feel (not too plasticky) and decent acoustics (e.g a cork layer for muting).

In summary: Not our first pick, not our last.

Bamboo:

We’re going to be honest here - we hate bamboo floors. It’s marketed as an eco-friendly option, but it’s usually made overseas where oversight of the manufacturing process is sketchy - and much of it contains formaldehydes that emit toxic VOCs. All that aside, it’s supposed to be extremely hard - but we’ve found that it dents and scratches very easily - especially if it has been carbonized to achieve a deeper tone. If you have your heart set on it, use a more expensive strand woven type - and stick to a lighter tone.  

In summary: it’s a no from us.

Concrete:

Concrete floors are a super practical choice; they are cost-effective, super durable, have great thermal properties and are compatible with underfloor heating. Conventional polished concrete has a glossy, pebbly look - which gives us early 2000’s vibes (did anything good come out of the noughties!?). Our preferred approach is to get a 'warehouse finish’, achieved by adding an oxide shot for a darker colour, and giving the floor a light grind before sealing with a low-gloss sealant. Not so great for small kiddos - but awesome for pets, and absolutely no frills or fuss required.

In summary: we’re into it - small kids probably aren’t.

There’s a lot to be said about tiles and carpet - so these flooring options will be covered in a future blog. Hopefully this was a good starting point, and we’ve given you something to think about. We are passionate about the build journey - and wholeheartedly believe it should be an enjoyable experience. A huge part of that is being educated and honest ourselves - setting people up for a ‘win’ by giving the right advice!

If that’s the kind of experience you’re looking for, and you’re in the market for a home in the hills, we’d love to catch up with you over coffee. Get in touch using the form below, or give John a bell.