If you’re considering a new timber floor, the question of how much it’s going to cost is one of the burning issues you want to get answered.
And the true answer is: it depends on so many different things that it’s impossible to give an idea of a tight price range without a site visit and agreement about what the desired look of the installation is intended to be.
But, at least we can give you a solid idea of what aspects of a flooring project influence the final cost. That’s what this article is about.
Why can’t we give an exact timber flooring cost?
It’s not only because every location is different, it’s because we often can’t tell what work is going to be required to ensure a long-lasting quality installation until we remove your existing floor covering and discover the condition of your sub-floor.
Of course, you will be consulted and advised on every step of the process. And you would have already been forewarned about the possibilities. It is important to recognise that a brilliant timber floor is more than the timber flooring product and the varnish. It goes all the way through to the foundation.
Acclimatisation
Your chosen timber still needs to acclimatise to each room before being installed. It’s a blend of science and experience to know exactly how long the timber should sit in the room, as well as how the timber should be laid while acclimatising.
Customers might become frustrated as this process is going on. It might seem that nothing is going on. But it’s incredibly important to just let the timber sit there for a few days before fixing it to the floor.
Breaking down the costs of an installation
When we provide you with a quote, you will see several different line items that go into producing a final timber flooring cost.
Materials
- Timber Flooring Products
- Sub-floor materials
- Glues / Nails / Sandpapers
- Floor underlays
- Varnishes / polishes / finishes
Installation
- Removal and clean up of existing floor covering
- Subfloor build
- Timber delivery and adjustment to conditions
- Layout and installation
- Sanding
- Finishing / Varnish
- Clean-up
How cost varies across different types of timbers
Solid Hardwood Timbers
As the name implies, these are planks honed down in solid pieces from trees. They have a warm, natural feel but require a bit of maintenance to keep them looking like new. Hardwoods themselves vary depending on the tree, and the pricing is dictated by the quality of the timber, and its ease of availability.
Generally speaking, solid hardwood timbers are more expensive than Engineered Wood options described below. But the range is very wide. Some low-grade solid timbers are indeed very cheap, but those would not be products we recommend.
In our curated range of solid timbers, you can typically expect to pay between $100 to $195 per square meter.
Engineered Timbers
Also considered timber flooring, these boards are made by pressing together many layers of wood together, a process that makes them much more durable and better able to cope with seasonal changes in heat and moisture levels inside each room.
A layer of actual wood, in the type and finish of your choosing, is lined on top to give it a real wood look. And because they are not actually solid hardwood, they tend to be less expensive.
In our curated range of engineered timbers, you can typically expect to pay between $75 to $200 per square meter.
Parquetry Flooring
Parquetry requires a great deal of craftsmanship to lay well. So, while the cost of the timber flooring product is at a slight premium, it will cost far more in installation costs.
That’s not just because the floors need to be planned more carefully and cut more accurately to fit snugly into corners and other tricky housing features. But also because the sanding and finishing process is far more involved. Since the timber planks are facing in different directions, each plank often has to be individually sanded with the grain of each piece of timber.
It simple takes longer to do the job properly. But when the project is finished, particularly if you have experts such as Know-How Flooring on the job, you can see where your money has gone.
The cost of finishing
In fact, there are certain timbers that are delivered pre-finished, so the cost of finishing is included in the cost of the timber product. The trade-off, though, is that you are unable to customize the look of the floor beyond what is available.
We aren’t exaggerating when we say that there are quite literally thousands of looks, textures, and colors that can be achieved. Of course, the cost of the finish you select goes up the more complex and unique the finishing style is.
Pre-finished timbers are usually more expensive than unfinished versions. But without having to pay for the finishing process, they are usually far more cost-effective.
The cost of extras
The most common extras that we get asked to quote on are sub-floor underlays and noise insulations. If you live in a strata apartment, you will find that it will be in the strata rules that a certain standard of underlay will need to be used. We can help you navigate this process as well.
Another extra, which is admittedly uncommon in the temperate climate of Sydney, is underfloor heating. This can quickly become expensive, as it isn’t just the heating elements that need to be installed. There are also significant structural requirements for the sub-floor that will need to be followed exactly to ensure that the heating elements heat the floor without causing any undue warping of the timber.
Installation
Engineered hardwoods are a bit easier to lay since they use a floating installation method of interlocking boards which makes the process faster.
Solid timbers, on the other hand, can take a bit longer with a direct installation to the subfloor with glue and nails.
The size of the space also has an effect on the cost per square meter. Larger spaces will be more costly to install overall, but may indeed be cheaper on a square meter basis than smaller spaces.
Ease of access to the property may also affect the overall cost.
Your local timber flooring experts
Make an appointment to see our impressive timber flooring range today
Wherever you are in Sydney, our experts will bring your timber flooring project to life. We’d love to come and have an informal chat about your needs, whatever stage of planning you are at.