Timber Flooring
FAQ

Engineered timber has a genuine hardwood wear layer bonded over a cross-laminated structural core, making it dimensionally stable in Perth's extreme humidity swings. Solid timber is milled from a single piece of hardwood and can be sanded more times over its lifetime.

In Perth's climate, where inland areas regularly drop below 35% relative humidity in summer, engineered timber is generally recommended for ground-floor concrete slab applications. Solid timber suits suspended hardwood subfloors. Lifewood's Stabilised Solid technology uses the same Australian hardwood species in the core as on the surface, unlike standard engineered floors that use MDF, pine, or rubber wood.

Lifewood's 2026 supply and install prices start from $299/m² for Natures Steel (bamboo core, 3mm wear layer), $329/m² for the Australian Timber Collection in seven species (5mm wear layer, 4x sandable), $329/m² for French Oak Premium, $359/m² for French Oak Vintage, $369/m² for American Black Walnut, and $399/m² supply only for the Grandeur Range.

Jarrah and Marri carry an additional $30 per square metre. All prices include GST and are verified April 2026. Call (08) 9445 9011 for a full itemised quote.

Yes. Engineered timber flooring is compatible with underfloor heating when operated within ATFA parameters: maximum surface temperature of 27°C and relative humidity between 35 and 65 percent. Solid timber is not recommended over active underfloor heating.

Hydronic systems are preferred over electric resistive systems for timber. In Perth, where summer ambient temperatures reach 38 to 42°C inland, confirm the system caps surface output below 27°C in all seasons. Get compatibility confirmed in writing in your contract, not just as a verbal assurance.

A minimum Janka hardness of 8.0 kN is recommended for homes with medium to large dogs. Below this threshold, surface denting from dog nail traffic typically becomes visible within 2 to 3 years under normal use.

Spotted Gum (11.0 kN) is the strongest domestic choice. Blackbutt (9.1 kN) and Jarrah (8.5 kN) comfortably meet the threshold. Grey Ironbark at 14.0 kN is the hardest species in Lifewood's range. French Oak (6.5 kN) and American Black Walnut (6.7 kN) are better suited to lower-traffic rooms. All Janka ratings are ATFA-verified.

Conventional timber floors can warp and cup in Perth due to extreme seasonal humidity swings. Lifewood's patented Stabilised Solid cross-engineered core is specifically designed to prevent this, and is the primary reason the technology was invented in Perth.

The ATFA confirms all timber shrinks when humidity is low and swells when high. Perth's inland areas regularly drop below 35% RH in summer and rise above 65% in winter, a swing that exceeds the tolerance of most generic imported boards. Lifewood's moisture-resistant core with full moisture barrier coating directly addresses this.

Yes. Lifewood has won four ATFA awards over 11 years: Retailer of the Year 2025, Innovative Product of the Year 2023 for Natures Steel, Retailer of the Year 2018, and Showroom of the Year 2014. The awards are judged by independent industry peers and cannot be purchased or self-nominated.

Lifewood has traded continuously under the same ownership since 2002, completing 8,500+ Perth homes and 634,000+ square metres. Verify ATFA membership and awards at atfa.com.au.