Australian Timbers Species Suitable For Flooring

The species or species mix chosen for a floor will generally be determined by the required look of the floor, hardness requirements, availability and price. The sapwood of many hardwoods is much lighter than adjacent heartwood. If a species with lyctid susceptible sapwood is selected, any sapwood present in the boards must be preservative treated. Treatment with CCA will usually impart a green colour to the sapwood.

The character of the floor is influenced by the species characteristics and by the timber grade. A recent trend toward natural feature such as gum vein and knots has resulted in many manufacturers offering their own grades rather than just those contained in Australian Standards.

Hardness gives an indication of a species’ resistance to indentation and, to some extent, abrasion. Floors that may be subject to high traffic volumes or high point loads such as those due to stiletto heels may require specification of harder species. Soft timber species can be expected to indent under these conditions.

Floor finishes do not improve indentation resistance of a floor, but may affect abrasion resistance.

References: TRADAC Technical Data Sheet 11