Timber FAQ
17 questions answered by NSW's only Bona Premier Dealer.
Timber (17)
What is the difference between solid timber, engineered, and laminate flooring?
Solid timber has directional fibres and expands mainly in width with humidity changes. Engineered flooring has opposing fibre layers that reduce width movement but introduce some lengthwise movement. Laminate has a photographic image on fibreboard with no directional fibre orientation at all. professional floor sanders work with all three types and understand how each one behaves.
Do vinyl floors expand and contract like timber?
Vinyl's moisture resistant, so it doesn't change size with humidity the way timber does. But it does move with temperature changes, and that can cause gapping at the joints. The big difference from timber is speed -- timber changes happen gradually over days and weeks, but vinyl movement is rapid, taking only minutes or hours. That's why it's important to work with someone who understands how different flooring types actually behave.
What is veneered SPC flooring?
Veneered SPC has a solid timber veneer on top of an SPC (stone plastic composite) base. It's classified as vinyl-based because it acts more like a vinyl product than a timber product. You get the look of real timber with the moisture resistance and stability of SPC underneath. It still needs the right care though -- a skilled floor sander can advise you on maintenance for veneered SPC.
Why does timber flooring expand and contract with the seasons?
All wood-based products are hygroscopic -- that means their moisture content and dimensions change depending on how dry or moist the air is around them. Coatings are permeable too, so even a coated timber floor still responds to humidity changes. It's completely natural behaviour, and once you understand seasonal movement you won't be surprised when you see it happening.
How much does an 80mm hardwood board shrink or swell with moisture changes?
An 80mm wide hardwood board shrinks or swells approximately 0.25mm for each 1% change in moisture content. So a 3-4% moisture content swing between seasons can produce noticeable gap changes. That's why proper expansion allowances matter during installation -- you've got to account for that seasonal movement.
Why has timber flooring always experienced seasonal movement?
Ever since there have been timber floors, seasonal movement has been a thing -- floors shrink during drier weather and expand during more humid weather. Expansion allowance is needed for solid T&G, engineered, bamboo, and laminate floors, both fixed and floating. Doesn't matter what type of timber floor you've got, proper expansion allowance has to be there from day one.
How should I manage my expectations about a solid timber floor?
Solid timber is a natural product with individual colour and grain variations -- that's part of what makes it look good. Seasonal movement is normal, the appearance changes with age, some squeaking is normal, and indentations depend on timber hardness and traffic volume. Setting clear expectations before the job starts means there won't be any surprises.
How does a solid timber floor differ from a floating floor in terms of movement?
Solid timber floors are fixed to the subfloor or joists and expand primarily in width with humidity changes. Floating floors are fixed to each other but not the subfloor -- they act as rafts that move as a unit and can show more pronounced seasonal effects. They're two very different systems with distinct movement patterns, and that matters for how you maintain them.
Can timber floors be installed in wet areas?
Timber floors in wet areas need special consideration. ATFA publishes specific information sheets on this topic including guidance for E3/AS1 wet area floors. Proper moisture management and choosing the right species and coating are essential. It's doable, but you've got to get the details right or you'll have problems.
Is seasonal movement in timber flooring visible day to day?
Day-to-day seasonal movement in timber-based flooring is quite small -- you won't notice it happening. But over a few months the movement can be quite significant as boards gradually respond to seasonal humidity changes. It's completely normal behaviour. Gradual seasonal change is just a natural characteristic of real timber floors.
How does the imported timber moisture content affect floor performance?
Imported timber may come in at a different moisture content than locally sourced timber, and that can affect floor performance through excessive shrinkage or expansion after installation. ATFA provides contractor awareness guidance on this. Verify moisture content of all timber before installation regardless of where it came from.
Do timber floors store carbon?
Yes, timber floors store carbon that was absorbed by the tree during growth, making them an environmentally beneficial building material. ATFA documents this environmental benefit along with Life Cycle Assessment data for timber flooring. It's a genuine advantage of choosing real timber over synthetic alternatives.
How does energy efficiency relate to timber flooring choices?
Timber flooring contributes to energy efficiency through its natural insulating properties and carbon storage benefits. ATFA documents energy efficiency considerations alongside environmental topics like Life Cycle Assessment. If sustainability matters to you, timber's natural insulation and carbon storage are genuine benefits worth factoring in.
What is hybrid flooring?
Hybrid flooring combines SPC attributes with a melamine wear-resistant face similar to laminate, giving you moisture resistance and dimensional stability. It's a vinyl-based product, so it responds to temperature changes rather than humidity. If you're looking at hybrid, understand that it behaves differently from timber in that respect.
What timber moisture content is normal for Brisbane flooring?
Brisbane and coastal flooring is typically manufactured at 11% moisture content to match the moderate humidity levels in the region. Different spots around Australia need different target moisture contents for the floor to perform properly. A professional floor sander checks that the timber moisture content is right for your specific location before installation goes ahead.
Can you replace tiles with timber flooring?
Yes. The tiles get ripped up, the adhesive residue is ground off the slab, and then either solid timber is glued down with Bona Quantum T adhesive or engineered/laminate is floated over an underlay. The slab needs to be flat (within 3mm over 3m) and dry (under 75% RH by hygrometer test). A good installer checks both before quoting. Allow 2-3 days for a typical room -- one day for removal, one for install, one for coating.Can you have timber flooring and hybrid flooring in the same house?
Common in renovations. Timber in the living areas, hybrid (vinyl plank) in wet areas like bathrooms and laundry. The transition strip between the two needs to be clean and level. The key is getting the heights right -- engineered or solid timber is typically 14-19mm, hybrid is 6-8mm. The subfloor may need building up under the hybrid to match. A good installer plans the transition before starting.Still have a question?
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