Solid timber
Traditional hardwood or softwood boards, typically 19 mm thick, tongue and groove profile, secret-nailed or glued to a timber subfloor. Species include Australian blackbutt, spotted gum, jarrah, Victorian ash, tallowwood and imported oak. Can be sanded and refinished multiple times over its lifespan.
Typical cost: $85 to $180 per m2 supply only for Australian hardwoods; $120 to $250 per m2 supply and install including sanding and finishing
Pros
- • Authentic natural appearance with unique grain patterns and colour variation
- • Can be sanded and refinished five to seven times, giving a lifespan of 50+ years
- • Adds genuine warmth and character; high perceived value for resale
- • Australian hardwoods are extremely durable and resist denting better than most engineered products
Cons
- • Expands and contracts significantly with humidity; requires controlled environment
- • Higher material cost than engineered or hybrid alternatives
- • Installation is slower and requires skilled trades; not suitable for concrete slabs without battens
- • Surface finish requires maintenance (recoating every 5 to 10 years in high-traffic areas)
- • Susceptible to water damage and not suitable for bathrooms or laundries
Best for: Main living areas, bedrooms and hallways in climate-controlled homes with timber subfloors; ideal for heritage renovations and character homes where authenticity matters
Engineered timber
Layered product with a 3 mm to 6 mm hardwood veneer bonded to a plywood or HDF core. Total thickness typically 12 mm to 15 mm. Can be floated (click-lock), glued down or secret-nailed depending on the product and subfloor. Pre-finished at the factory with multiple coats of UV-cured polyurethane or oil.
Typical cost: $55 to $140 per m2 supply only; $85 to $180 per m2 supply and install including underlay
Pros
- • More dimensionally stable than solid timber; suitable for installation over concrete slabs and in moderate climate variations
- • Faster to install than solid timber (no on-site sanding or finishing required)
- • Can be used with underfloor heating systems (check manufacturer approval)
- • Top wear layer can be lightly sanded and refinished once or twice if thick enough (4 mm+ veneer)
Cons
- • Limited refinishing compared to solid timber; thin veneers (3 mm) may only withstand one sand
- • Still moisture-sensitive; requires vapour barrier over concrete and not suitable for wet areas
- • Quality varies widely; cheap imported products may delaminate or have poor veneer matching
- • Click-lock floating systems can feel hollow underfoot without quality underlay
Best for: Living areas, bedrooms, dining rooms over concrete slabs or timber subfloors; homes with moderate humidity control and underfloor heating
Hybrid flooring
Rigid core planks with a stone-plastic composite (SPC) or wood-plastic composite (WPC) core, topped with a photographic décor layer and clear wear layer. Waterproof construction. Click-lock floating installation. Also called rigid vinyl or rigid LVT (luxury vinyl tile). Thickness typically 5 mm to 7 mm including attached underlay if present.
Typical cost: $35 to $85 per m2 supply only; $55 to $110 per m2 supply and install including underlay
Pros
- • 100% waterproof core; suitable for bathrooms, laundries, kitchens and basements
- • Extremely stable; does not expand or contract with humidity like timber products
- • Durable wear layer resists scratches, stains and dents better than laminate
- • Fast DIY-friendly click-lock installation; no acclimatisation required in most cases
- • Wide range of realistic timber and stone looks at lower cost than genuine materials
Cons
- • Cannot be refinished; once the wear layer is damaged the plank must be replaced
- • Photographic print layer lacks the depth and authenticity of real timber grain
- • Some cheaper products have a plastic appearance or feel underfoot
- • Can be noisy without adequate acoustic underlay, particularly in multi-storey homes
- • Not repairable; individual plank replacement requires disassembling the floor from the nearest wall
Best for: Kitchens, bathrooms, laundries, rumpus rooms, rental properties, coastal homes and anywhere moisture or spill risk is high; budget-conscious renovations seeking a timber look
Laminate
High-density fibreboard (HDF) core with a photographic décor layer and melamine wear surface. Click-lock floating installation over underlay. Thickness typically 7 mm to 12 mm. Water-resistant surface but core swells if soaked. Not waterproof.
Typical cost: $25 to $60 per m2 supply only; $45 to $85 per m2 supply and install including underlay
Pros
- • Low cost; entry-level products available from around twenty-five dollars per square metre
- • Hard wearing surface resists scratches and fading; suitable for moderate to high foot traffic
- • Easy DIY installation with basic tools; wide availability from Bunnings and flooring retailers
- • Wide variety of décor options including timber, stone and abstract patterns
Cons
- • HDF core is not waterproof; permanent swelling and damage if flooded or exposed to standing water
- • Cannot be refinished or sanded; surface damage is permanent
- • Hollow or loud underfoot compared to timber or hybrid unless quality acoustic underlay is used
- • Cheaper products have unconvincing photographic prints and repetitive patterns
- • Not suitable for bathrooms, laundries or other wet areas
Best for: Bedrooms, studies, low-moisture areas in investment properties and budget-conscious owner-builder projects; temporary or short-term flooring solutions
Vinyl plank (LVT)
Luxury vinyl tile or plank with a flexible PVC construction, printed décor layer and clear wear layer. Available in glue-down, click-lock floating or loose-lay formats. Thickness ranges from 2 mm (glue-down commercial) to 5 mm (residential click-lock). Distinct from rigid hybrid due to flexible core.
Typical cost: $30 to $75 per m2 supply only; glue-down installation adds $20 to $40 per m2 labour; click-lock floating $50 to $95 per m2 supply and install
Pros
- • Waterproof and highly moisture-tolerant; suitable for all interior wet areas
- • Softer and quieter underfoot than rigid hybrid or laminate due to flexible core
- • Good range of realistic embossed textures and timber or stone looks
- • Glue-down formats provide excellent acoustic performance and stability for commercial or high-traffic residential areas
Cons
- • Flexible core can telegraph subfloor imperfections; requires very smooth, level substrate
- • Some products are prone to indentation from heavy furniture or appliance feet
- • Glue-down installation is labour-intensive and requires professional trades
- • Click-lock floating vinyl is less stable than rigid hybrid and may require heavier furniture or perimeter weighting
Best for: Bathrooms, ensuites, powder rooms, laundries and commercial fit-outs; glue-down LVT is preferred for offices, retail and high-traffic residential hallways
Carpet
Textile floor covering available in cut pile, loop pile, cut-and-loop and frieze constructions. Fibres include wool, nylon, polyester and polypropylene. Installed by stretching over underlay and tacking to gripper strips around the perimeter, or glued direct to subfloor in commercial settings.
Typical cost: $25 to $80 per m2 supply and install for residential-grade polyester or nylon; $80 to $180 per m2 for wool or wool-blend; underlay adds $5 to $15 per m2
Pros
- • Soft, warm and comfortable underfoot; excellent for bedrooms and living areas
- • Superior acoustic insulation; absorbs impact noise and airborne sound
- • Wide range of colours, textures and price points to suit any budget and décor
- • Non-slip surface; safer for young children and elderly occupants
Cons
- • Stains and spills are difficult to remove; not suitable for kitchens, bathrooms or laundries
- • Harbours dust, allergens and dust mites; requires regular vacuuming and periodic professional cleaning
- • Lifespan shorter than hard flooring (typically 7 to 15 years in high-traffic areas)
- • Can show wear patterns and flattening in heavy-use zones; difficult to repair without replacing entire room
- • Some synthetic fibres off-gas VOCs and odours when new
Best for: Bedrooms, formal living rooms, media rooms, stairs and upper-floor areas where acoustic insulation and comfort are priorities; homes with central heating or cooler climates
Polished concrete
Mechanically ground and polished concrete slab, exposing aggregate and creating a smooth, reflective surface. Achieved by progressively finer diamond grinding pads and chemical densifiers. Can be grey, coloured with oxide during pour, or stained after grinding. Sealed with penetrating sealers or topical coatings for stain and moisture resistance.
Typical cost: $50 to $100 per m2 for basic grind and seal; $100 to $180 per m2 for high-gloss polish with exposed aggregate, colour or decorative saw cuts; resealing $8 to $15 per m2
Pros
- • Extremely durable; lifespan of 20+ years with periodic resealing (every 3 to 5 years)
- • Low maintenance; sweeping and damp mopping is usually sufficient
- • Thermal mass benefits; stores and releases heat, reducing heating and cooling loads in well-designed homes
- • Industrial-modern aesthetic; popular in contemporary and minimalist architecture
- • No expansion joints or transition strips required within large open spaces
Cons
- • Hard and unforgiving underfoot; uncomfortable for standing long periods and can be cold in winter
- • Slippery when wet unless textured or treated with anti-slip additives
- • Limited DIY feasibility; requires professional grinders and dustless extraction equipment
- • Noise and mess during grinding; best completed before other finishes are installed
- • Can crack over time due to slab movement; cracks are difficult to repair invisibly
- • Not suitable for timber subfloors; only applicable to concrete slab construction
Best for: New builds on concrete slabs; open-plan living areas in modern or industrial-style homes; passive solar designs leveraging thermal mass; workshops, studios and commercial interiors