Style: October 01, 2021

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Laminated timber
Timber floors come in a huge variety of styles. One
option is engineered wood flooring; it’s multi-layered
in construction, with a laminate of the timber placed
on top of an underlying substance. This is either glued
down to the existing sub-floor or clicked together
(and installed using the floating method, without glue).
A lot of laminated timber is made out of
European Oak, which grows quicker (so the timber
is better priced) but is a softer type of grain and so
needs more maintenance. French Oak is slower to
grow, with a much tighter grain and better durability,
hence it’s more expensive. With the colouring and
finishing of the French Oak surface done in-house,
this finish makes it much easier to maintain. The
best solid, recycled French Oak comes out of old
warehouses or châteaus in France and is available
here in New Zealand.
RESENE
DUST STORM
RESENE
UMBER WHITE
RESENE
HALF INSIDE BACK
Top tip: Timber floors are noisier than
some coverings, and can be hard wearing
but not always water resistant. For this
reason, it’s important to check if engineered
timber can go into wet areas.
Tile quality
Tiles are often used for flooring as they’re the hardest wearing
option, but they can also be the noisiest. A large proportion
of tiles are laser-treated with images of natural stone.
Quality tends to depend on where they originate – the
tile price will often be an indicator. Generally, tiles with the
best lifespan come out of Italy and Europe, whereas the less
expensive have been known to have a shorter lifespan. This
is something to be aware of, especially in high-traffic areas.
Cork tiles are making a comeback; they are warm, soft
and great insulators, with an array of pre-finished styles and
colours available. They are glued down, but they will need to
be sealed after being laid if they’re in their natural condition.
Top tip: In temperate climates, underfloor
heating is highly recommended.