29May 2023
Australia has some of the hardwoods in the world. We are blessed with amazing options to create warmth and comfort in our homes.
Here are the top 10 harwoods to choose from for your house floors.
Blackbutt
Blackbutt is an Australian hardwood that has been a popular choice for timber flooring for many years, and it’s not hard to see why.
Its Janka hardness rating of 9.1 makes it one of the hardest Australian hardwoods available. It can withstand plenty of wear and tear without showing signs of damage.
This solid timber is also known for its durability, making it an excellent choice for high-traffic areas in both residential and commercial settings.
One of the stand out features of Blackbutt is its beautiful creamy colour tones that lend themselves well to modern design aesthetics. The natural variations in grain patterns create a unique look that adds character to any space.
In addition to its aesthetic appeal, Blackbutt’s density contributes to its excellent insulating properties, which are particularly valuable in colder climates.
Another benefit of Blackbutt is its relatively low cost compared to some other Australian hardwoods on the market. While not as inexpensive as some imported timbers, Blackbutt represents good value for those who want a quality floor at a reasonable price point.
In terms of installation, Blackbutt floors are straightforward to install using traditional methods such as secret nailing or glue-down techniques.
This versatility makes it an accessible option for DIY enthusiasts or professional installers alike.
Silvertop Stringybark
Silvertop Stringybark is another excellent Australian hardwood that has gained popularity in recent years. This species is native to the coastal regions of New South Wales and Victoria.
Its unique colour variation, from pale brown to yellowish-brown, adds character and warmth to any floor it graces.
Silvertop Stringybark scores a Janka rating of 9.5, making it an extremely durable option for flooring, making it an ideal choice for high-traffic areas.
One of the key advantages of Silvertop Stringybark is its versatility in design. This solid timber can be installed in a range of patterns and finishes, from traditional strip flooring to parquet-style herringbone designs.
The natural variation in its colour creates a visually appealing effect that adds depth and dimensionality to any space.
In terms of maintenance, Silvertop Stringybark floors are easy to maintain with routine cleaning and occasional refinishing every few years if needed.
This means your floors will look great for years without the need for frequent repairs or replacements.
Grey Ironbark
With a Janka hardness rating of 14.0, this timber is one of the toughest around, perfect for high traffic areas like hallways, living rooms, and kitchens.
But it’s not just its strength that makes Grey Ironbark an excellent choice for flooring. Its unique texture and colour make for incredibly beautiful floors that add warmth and character to any room they’re installed in.
Whether you opt for a clear finish to highlight the natural beauty of the timber or choose a darker stain to create a more dramatic look, you can’t go wrong with Grey Ironbark.
As one of the densest hardwoods available in Australia, Grey Ironbark can be challenging to work with during installation. But once those floors are down, they’re sure to last a lifetime with proper care and maintenance.
Spotted Gum
It has a distinctive look that is perfect for those who want to create a natural and rustic feel within their home. Spotted Gum is known for its durability, making it an excellent choice for high-traffic areas such as hallways and living rooms.
One of the most significant benefits of Spotted Gum is its Janka hardness rating.
This means that floors made from Spotted Gum are incredibly strong and resistant to scratches, dents, and other types of damage.
In addition to its durability, Spotted Gum also boasts an impressive density compared to other hardwoods. This density results in solid timber floors that are less likely to warp or bow over time.
The combination of strength and density makes it ideal for high traffic areas such as hallways or living spaces where it will be subject to heavy foot traffic.
Brushbox
Brushbox has a pale pink to reddish-brown colour, which provides a warm and natural feel to any interior design. is known for its strength and durability, making it an ideal choice for high-traffic areas.
With a Janka rating of 9.5, it’s one of the hardest Australian hardwoods available for solid timber floors.
This makes Brushbox a great choice for homes with pets or children who might cause damage to softer woods. In addition to its strength, Brushbox is also very dense, making it resistant to wear and tear.
This density also helps reduce noise and vibrations in the room where it’s installed, creating a more peaceful environment throughout your home. timber floors are also relatively easy to maintain over time.
They require minimal upkeep and will often last decades before they need refinishing or replacement.
The wood’s natural grain pattern adds character as it ages and develops an attractive patina.
Red Ironbark
Ah, the majestic Red Ironbark! This Australian hardwood is one of the densest and toughest timber species around.
Its Janka hardness rating of 13.0 shows just how durable this wood truly is.
Its stunning deep red colour with hints of brown creates a striking visual impact in any room.
Its density makes it highly resistant to wear and tear, making it perfect for commercial applications such as restaurants, offices or retail spaces.
It’s also known to be quite versatile when it comes to installation; It can be installed over plywood or concrete sub-floors and can handle different types of finishes, from natural oil-based finishes to high-gloss polyurethane coatings.
With its solid timber structure boasting exceptional strength and hardness – this wood is truly one-of-a-kind.
Jarrah
Jarrah is one of the most popular choices for solid timber flooring in Australia.
It is a rich, red-brown coloured hardwood that provides a unique and warm touch to any room.3
With a Janka hardness rating of 8.5, Jarrah is considered one of the most durable hardwoods available. It can withstand heavy loads without denting or scratching easily.
Additionally, Jarrah has excellent termite resistance which means that your floors will last longer without needing costly repairs.
The wood’s natural swirls and knots create an elegant look that adds character to any room. Furthermore, its colour deepens over time; giving your floor a unique charm that can’t be replicated by synthetic materials.
Blue Gum
Oh, the Blue Gum. This beautiful and versatile Australian hardwood is known for its rich colour and distinctive figure.
Let’s start with density. While Blue Gum has a respectable Janka hardness rating of 9.5, it simply can’t compete with some of the denser hardwoods on this list.
And when it comes to solid timber flooring, density is key. A denser floor is less likely to dent or scratch, making it a better choice for high-traffic areas or homes with pets and children.
But even if you don’t mind the occasional dent or scratch, there’s still something off about Blue Gum as a flooring choice. Perhaps it’s the way the grain pattern can look busy and overwhelming in large swaths of floor space.
Or maybe it’s just that I find the colour too warm and red-toned for my taste. Now, to be fair, I have seen some beautiful examples of Blue Gum floors out there in the world.
And I’m not denying that it has its fans who love its unique character and warm hue. But when compared to some of the other options on this list – like Tallowwood or Grey Ironbark – Blue Gum just doesn’t measure up in my eyes.
While Blue Gum may have its aesthetic appeal as a furniture wood or decorative accent piece, I simply can’t recommend it as a top choice for solid timber flooring. Its relatively low density combined with an overwhelming grain pattern make me think twice before using this hardwood on any large-scale installations like floors!
Tallowwood
One of the most underrated Australian hardwoods out there.
It’s a shame that it’s often overlooked in favour of more mainstream choices like Blackbutt or Spotted Gum. But let me tell you, this wood is a hidden gem.
First off, let’s talk about its Janka hardness rating. At 8.6 kN, it falls right in the mid-range of Australian hardwoods.
This means that it’s not as hard as some of the other options out there (looking at you Grey Ironbark), but still provides ample durability for solid timber floors.
But where Tallowwood really stands out is in its density. Clocking in at an average of 1100 kg/m³, it’s one of the heaviest Australian hardwoods available. This makes it ideal for high-traffic areas and commercial spaces where heavy foot traffic is expected.
Tallowwood has a tendency towards a yellowish-brown colouration with subtle hints of olive green present throughout each piece. If this colour palette works with your desired aesthetic, then you’re good to go!
Tallowwood may not be the first choice that comes to mind when selecting a hardwood floor material, but it certainly shouldn’t be discounted. With its just-right Janka hardness rating and impressive density, coupled with its unique colouring pattern, this wood has much to offer any home owner or business owner looking to install solid timber flooring that will stand up against wear and tear over time..
Turpentine
Turpentine is a lesser-known hardwood species that has excellent durability and stability, making it a great choice for flooring. The wood has an attractive reddish-brown colour with distinctive grain patterns and is often used in high-traffic areas due to its hardness and density.
In terms of Janka hardness, Turpentine is one of the harder woods available for flooring, with a rating of 14.0. It can withstand heavy foot traffic and even furniture without showing signs of wear and tear.
This makes it an excellent choice for commercial spaces such as offices or retail stores. Furthermore, Turpentine is known for its resistance to termites, decay, and fire.
This means that it does not require any additional treatments or coatings to ensure its longevity. However, Turpentine’s hardness can make it challenging to work with when installing solid timber floors.
Its density makes it difficult to cut and shape during the installation process, which can cause installation costs to rise compared to other hardwoods.
Conclusion
It’s clear that Australia is home to some of the best hardwoods in the world for timber flooring. The selection of timbers available is vast, and each has its unique qualities and characteristics that make it suitable for different applications. When considering which timber to choose for your floors, it’s essential to think about factors such as density and Janka hardness.
While some hardwoods may be more visually appealing than others, durability should also be a top consideration since floors take on heavy foot traffic over time.
Ultimately, solid timber flooring is an excellent investment that adds value to your home while providing a warm and inviting atmosphere.
Whether you prefer a classic look or something more modern, there’s an Australian hardwood out there that will meet your needs.
With proper care and maintenance, these floors can last for decades while retaining their natural beauty.
