Timber Species Selection Shapes Flooring on Melbourne Residential Projects

Residential timber flooring projects across South East Melbourne and the Mornington Peninsula involve a range of timber species, with the species used on any project identified during the on-site assessment. According to First For Flooring, subfloor conditions determine which flooring type is installed on each project.
Spotted Gum, Blackbutt, Messmate, Tasmanian Oak, Iron Bark, and Tallow Wood are the species used in solid timber installations in the region. Each carries different hardness characteristics suited to different spaces and traffic levels. On properties where the subfloor does not permit solid timber installation, engineered boards are laid. Where a project specifies a geometric pattern, parquetry work including Herringbone layouts is carried out in solid or engineered form.
Where a project involves heritage requirements or environmental considerations, timber reclaimed from demolished structures is used. James Simmons, founder of First For Flooring, stated that species choice is confirmed before any materials are ordered. "The species has to suit the space it is going into," Simmons said. "Hardness, grain, and how the timber takes a finish all factor into what gets specified for each room."