GrandOak Regal

Engineered timber flooring is made from a real timber top layer, called the wear layer, bonded to multiple layers of stable backing material, usually plywood or HDF. This layered construction gives you the authentic look and feel of solid timber, with far greater resistance to the humidity and temperature changes that cause solid timber to expand, contract and warp. For most Australian homes, including those built on concrete slabs, engineered timber is the more practical and stable choice over solid timber.

No, timber flooring is not waterproof. Both solid timber and engineered timber are natural materials that react to moisture. Prolonged exposure to water can cause swelling, warping, cupping or surface damage. Engineered timber handles moisture better than solid timber but should still not be used in bathrooms, laundries or anywhere water is regularly present. For wet areas, hybrid flooring or vinyl plank are the appropriate choices. Engineered timber works well in kitchens where spills are occasional and wiped up promptly, but it is not a set-and-forget solution near sinks or dishwashers.

Solid timber is milled from a single piece of wood, giving it maximum natural character and the ability to be sanded and refinished many times over its life. The trade-off is sensitivity to humidity and movement: solid timber expands and contracts with changes in moisture and is not suitable over concrete slabs or in humid climates. Engineered timber has a real timber top layer over a stable plywood or HDF core, which makes it dimensionally stable, suitable for concrete slab installation and more appropriate for most Australian climate conditions.

Some engineered timber floors can be sanded and refinished, but it depends on the thickness of the real timber wear layer. A 2mm wear layer can typically be lightly sanded once. A 3mm wear layer supports at least one professional sand and refinish over the floor’s lifetime. Products with a 4mm or thicker wear layer offer more refinishing potential. Before you choose a product, confirm the wear layer thickness and refinishing options with your Floorworld team if this is something you want to do in future.

Ironbark, Spotted Gum and Blackbutt are among the hardest and most durable Australian hardwood species for flooring, measured on the Janka hardness scale. They are well suited to high-traffic areas, hallways and open-plan living where the floor takes significant daily wear. For engineered timber, European Oak is the most widely used species globally and in Australia: it has an even grain, works across a wide range of finishes from natural to dark, and is available from quality brands like Australian Select Timbers.

GrandOak is a premium engineered timber and hybrid flooring range from Australian Select Timbers (AST). It is known for its wide-plank formats and design-led finishes, including herringbone and chevron options that suit feature entries, dining rooms and open-plan living areas. GrandOak is positioned for premium residential renovations where the floor is meant to be a design statement. It is available through Floorworld stores, and your local team can show you samples and discuss which formats suit your space.

Engineered timber can be installed in apartments, but most Australian strata buildings require flooring to meet minimum acoustic ratings under National Construction Code (NCC) guidelines. The right acoustic underlay under engineered timber can bring an installation into compliance with common strata by-law requirements. Before purchasing, confirm your building’s specific acoustic requirements with the strata manager. Your Floorworld team can then recommend an appropriate product and underlay combination to meet those specifications.

Hybrid flooring is generally the most compatible hard flooring choice for hydronic underfloor heating systems in Australian homes. Its rigid SPC core handles the heating and cooling cycles reliably without expanding or contracting. Engineered timber can be compatible with some underfloor heating systems, but the product must have a maximum operating temperature specification that suits your system, and moisture content must be carefully managed during installation. Solid timber is not recommended over hydronic heating. Confirm your specific product’s suitability with your Floorworld team before you purchase.

Sweep or dry-mop timber floors at least twice a week to remove grit and abrasive particles that can scratch the surface finish. For a deeper clean, use the Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner at the recommended dilution, applied with a lightly damp, not wet, mop. Never use a soaking-wet mop on timber flooring, and avoid steam mops entirely: both can cause the timber to swell, cup or the finish to lift. Wipe up any spills immediately. These simple habits extend the life and appearance of a timber floor significantly.