Buyer's Guide to Timber Flooring

Bowens supplies the widest variety of timber flooring, with species suitable for a range of situations and interior styles. Browse our timber flooring species below, or download our Buyer’s Guide to Timber Flooring printable PDF.

Timber Flooring Species

  • Tasmanian Oak Timber Flooring

    Tasmanian Oak timber flooring is an extremely popular native hardwood
    flooring choice due to its light colouring and ability to integrate into a wide
    range of interior designs.

    Timber Properties
    • Durability Class 3 (above ground)
    • Not resistant to termites and lyctid borers
    • Medium-density timber that can dent in high-traffic areas
    • Hardness 4.9 Janka Rating

    Standard Sizes Available
    • 63x14mm, 63x19mm, 63x21mm, 85x14mm, 108x14mm, 130x14mm, 85x19mm, 108x19mm & 130x19mm
    • Available in random lengths only

    Visual Grade
    • Select grade
    • Standard & Better grade (Prime Grade)
    • Standard grade available for 85x14mm & 85x19mm sizes only

    Colour & Grain
    • Tasmanian Oak heartwood is light in colour, varying from straw to reddish brown with intermediate shades of cream to pink
    • Heartwood and sapwood are similar in colour. It is usually sold free of sapwood
    • Timber grain is quarter-sawn and usually straight
    • Tasmanian Oak has a moderately coarse but even texture
    • Gum veins are common

    Workability
    • Readily accepts paints, stains and polishes
    • Machines and turns well, and is easy to work with
    • Holds fasteners well

    Top tips
    • Tasmanian Oak has excellent staining qualities, which means it can be stained to match existing timber colours.

  • Merbau Timber Flooring

    Merbau is an imported species, popular with homeowners seeking a dark,
    consistent timber flooring. Its high durability and resistance to wear make it
    well-suited to high-traffic areas and busy family homes.

    Timber Properties
    • Durability Class 1 (above ground)
    • Naturally resistant to termites, decay and fungal attack
    • Susceptible to lyctid borer
    • Stable timber with low shrinkage
    • Good fire resistance
    • Hardness 8.5 Janka Rating

    Available sizes
    • 85x19mm
    • Available in plain end set lengths only (1.8m-3.6m)

    Visual Grade
    • Select grade

    Colour & Grain
    • Yellow-orange to dark brown with reddish hues
    • Distinctive yellow mineral flecks throughout the grain
    • Interlocked or wavy grain pattern
    • Coarse but even texture

    Workability
    • Machines and works well
    • Accepts oils and coatings readily
    • Holds fasteners securely
    • Prone to tannin leaching

    Top tips
    • Merbau is great for common-use applications outdoors and is ideal for use on Verandah’s.

  • Blackbutt Timber Flooring

    Blackbutt timber flooring is one of Australia’s most sought-after hardwood
    flooring species due to its neutral colouring and impressive durability. Its versatile appearance complements a wide range of interior styles, from modern coastal homes to contemporary urban spaces.

    Timber Properties
    • Durability Class 1 (above ground)
    • Naturally termite-resistant
    • Suitable for high-traffic applications
    • Hardness 8.9 Janka Rating
    • Good fire resistance
    • Tendency to surface checking

    Available sizes
    • 80x14mm, 85x14mm, 130x14mm, 180x14mm, 60x19mm, 63x19mm, 80x19mm, 85x19mm, 130x19mm,60×20.5mm, 63×20.5mm, 83×20.5mm, 180×20.5mm & 180x21mm
    • Available in random lengths only

    Visual Grade
    • Select grade
    • Standard & better grade
    • Standard grade
    • Feature grade

    Colour & Grain
    • Pale cream through to golden brown
    • Occasional pink hues and gum veins
    • Generally straight grain but can be interlocked
    • Medium, even texture

    Workability
    • Machines well
    • Accepts stains and coatings evenly
    • Strong nail and screw holding ability
    • Mature wood can have issues with adhesives, yet it’s less of an issue with young regrowth wood

    Top tips
    • Blackbutt is ideal for modern interiors due to its light, contemporary appearance.

  • American White Oak Timber Flooring

    An imported species, American Oak timber flooring is a timeless flooring choice
    with consistent colouring. Its ability to accept stains and finishes make it a
    popular option for achieving a wide range of interior styles.

    Timber Properties
    • Durability Class 4 (above ground)
    • Suitable for residential applications
    • Can dent more easily than Australian hardwoods
    • Susceptible to lyctid borer and termites
    • Hardness 6.0 Janka Rating

    Available sizes
    • 85x14mm, 110x14mm, 130x14mm, 155x14mm, 180x14mm, 205x14mm, 230x14mm, 63x19mm, 85x19mm, 110x19mm, 130x19mm, 155x19mm, 180x19mm, 205x19mm, 230x19mm, 250x19mm, 280x19mm, 205x21mm, 230x21mm, 250x21mm & 280x21mm
    • Available in random lengths and set lengths

    Visual Grade
    • Premium grade
    • Character grade
    • Rustic Grade

    Colour & Grain
    • Light honey to medium brown colouring through to deep red brown
    • Consistent in colour wavy or interlocked grain
    • Prominent open, straight grain
    • Medium to coarse texture

    Workability
    • Excellent machining qualities
    • Stains and oils well
    • Suitable for a wide range of finishes

    Top tips
    • American Oak is one of the best species for custom stain colours.

  • Brush Box Timber Flooring

    Brush box timber flooring is a sought-after, highly durable and wear-resistant timber species. Its fine, even grain creates a refined finish for contemporary spaces.

    Timber Properties
    • Durability Class 2 (above ground)
    • Highly resistant to wear and indentation
    • Hardness 9.1 Janka Rating
    • Resistant to termites and lyctid borers

    Available sizes
    • 85x14mm, 130x14mm, 180x14mm, 60x19mm, 80x19mm, 130x19mm & 180x21mm
    • Available in random lengths

    Visual Grade
    • Select grade
    • Standard grade
    • Feature grade

    Colour & Grain
    • Greyish pink through to a pale or reddish brown
    • Fine, even texture with some figured interlocking grain features
    • Consistent appearance, free of gum veins

    Workability
    • Poor workability due to its density
    • Requires pre-drilling
    • Accepts stains and paints well

    Top tips
    • Brush box offers a highly durable timber flooring, however, it does have problems with some adhesives due to its natural waxiness.

  • QLD Forest Red Gum Timber Flooring

    Queensland Forest Red Gum is a blend of extremely dense native hardwood popular for its natural durability and rich red colouring. Its striking appearance
    and tight interlocking grain make it the perfect timber flooring for entries, living
    areas and games rooms.

    Timber Properties
    • Durability Class 1 (above ground)
    • Naturally resistant to termites and lyctid borer
    • Suitable for high-traffic areas
    • Hardness 11.3kN Janka Rating

    Available sizes
    • 80x19mm, 85x19mm & 130x19mm
    • Available in random lengths

    Visual Grade
    • Select grade
    • Standard grade
    • Feature grade

    Colour & Grain
    • Soft cherry tones to deep rich burgundy
    • Tight interlocking, uniform texture
    • Moderately coarse grain

    Workability
    • Pre-drilling is required due to its density
    • Accepts stains and oils
    • Excellent wear resistance

    Top tips
    • Also known as Forest Reds, Blue Gum (Qld) and Red Irongum (Qld), this Forest Red Gum timber flooring is ideal for those wanting rich colour and character.

  • Jarrah Timber Flooring

    Jarrah timber flooring is a premium Australian hardwood renowned for its rich red colouring and durability. Its distinctive appearance and long-lasting performance make it a popular choice for both traditional and contemporary interiors.

    Timber Properties
    • Durability Class 2 (above ground)
    • Naturally resistant to termites and decay
    • Dense, hardwearing timber suitable for high-traffic areas
    • Susceptible to lyctid borer
    • Hardness 8.5 Janka Rating

    Available sizes
    • 85x13mm, 130x13mm, 80x19mm & 130x19mm
    • Jarrah timber flooring is available in random lengths only

    Visual Grade
    • Standard & Better grade
    • Feature grade

    Colour & Grain
    • Heartwood varies from salmon pink to deep red-brown and burgundy
    • Darkens with age to a rich red
    • Grain is typically interlocked or wavy
    • Medium to coarse textured grain

    Workability
    • Machines and finishes well
    • Accepts stains and coatings readily
    • Excellent fastening properties

    Top tips
    • Jarrah naturally deepens over time, creating a rich, timeless appearance.

  • NSW Spotted Gum Timber Flooring

    NSW Spotted Gum timber flooring is a premium Australian hardwood popular for
    its distinctive fiddleback figure and colour. It is a naturally strong timber species,
    making it a top choice for high-traffic applications.

    Timber Properties
    • Durability Class 1 (above ground)
    • Naturally termite-resistant
    • Excellent wear resistance
    • Good fire resistance
    • Hardness 10.1 Janka Rating
    • Susceptible to lyctid borer

    Available sizes
    • 80x14mm, 85x14mm, 130x14mm, 180x14mm, 60x19mm, 63x19mm, 80x19mm, 85x19mm, 130x19mm,60×20.5mm, 63×20.5mm, 83×20.5mm, 180×20.5mm & 180x21mm
    • Spotted Gum timber flooring is available in random lengths only

    Visual Grade
    • Select grade
    • Standard & better grade
    • Standard grade
    • Feature grade

    Colour & Grain
    • Colours range from light brown through to deep red brown
    • Distinctive fiddleback figure and wavy or interlocked grain
    • Wood has a slightly greasy feel
    • Moderately coarse and uneven texture

    Workability
    • Machines well
    • Polishes exceptionally well
    • Holds fasteners securely, but must be pre-drilled

    Top tips
    • For those seeking natural variation and character, NSW Spotted Gum is a good match.

  • Peppermint Timber Flooring

    Peppermint timber flooring (or Chestnut timber flooring) is a durable, highquality
    hardwood with subtle colour variations and excellent hardness, suitable for residential and commercial properties. Its coarse grain creates a visually appealing texture that complements modern and traditional interiors.

    Timber Properties
    • Durability Class 3 (above ground)
    • Not naturally resistant to termites and lyctid borers
    • Dense and highly stable timber
    • Hardness 8.1kN Janka Rating

    Available sizes
    • 85x14mm, 130x14mm, 85x19mm & 130x19mm
    • Available in random lengths

    Visual Grade
    • Standard & Better grade
    • Feature grade (Also known as Wormy Chestnut)

    Colour & Grain
    • Mellow straw blonde and soft pinks to light dusky chocolates tones
    • Standard & Better Grades are a consistent, refined blend of neutral straw and light brown tones
    • Feature grade (Wormy Chestnut) displays dramatic natural markings, deep red gum veins, and dark pinholes
    • The grain is generally straight but can be interlocked, providing a distinct, sophisticated texture

    Workability
    • Easy to machine and install
    • Accepts stains & coatings well
    • Excellent workability

    Top tips
    • Also known as Chestnut timber flooring, Peppermint timber flooring has a consistent finish and is ideal for bright, modern interiors.

  • Hickory Timber Flooring

    Hickory timber flooring is an extremely hard yet durable imported timber. Its colour variation makes it a popular flooring option for those seeking a unique finish.

    Timber Properties
    • Durability Class 4 (above ground)
    • Suitable for high-traffic areas
    • Hardness 8.7kN Janka Rating
    • Susceptible to lyctid borers

    Available sizes
    • 85x14mm, 110x14mm, 130x14mm, 155x14mm, 180x14mm, 205x14mm, 230x14mm, 63x19mm, 85x19mm, 110x19mm, 130x19mm, 155x19mm, 180x19mm, 205x19mm, 230x19mm, 255x19mm, 280x19mm
    • Available in random lengths and set lengths

    Visual Grade
    • Premium grade
    • Rustic grade

    Colour & Grain
    • White tinged with brown to reddish brown hues
    • Bold, straight grain
    • Wood is coarse in texture with some mineral streaks
    • Lighter sapwood at edges can be common

    Workability
    • Requires pre-drilling
    • Can be difficult to machine due to its density
    • Accepts stains well
    • Tendency to split

    Top tips
    • Hickory is ideal for customers seeking bold visual character and durability.

  • White Baltic Pine Timber Flooring

    White Baltic Pine timber flooring is a softwood designed to offer warmth, charm
    and natural character to a room. Its distinctive knot features and lighter colouring
    make it particularly popular in heritage, country and coastal homes.

    Timber Properties
    • Durability Class 4 (above ground)
    • Softwood species
    • Lower dent resistance than hardwoods
    • Hardness 3.2kN Janka Rating
    • Not naturally resistant to termites and lyctid borers

    Available sizes
    • 152x22mm
    • Available in random lengths

    Visual Grade
    • Select grade

    Colour & Grain
    • Creamy white and yellow-brown to reddish brown
    • Visible fine tight knots and character features
    • Straight grain with some growth rings
    • Fine texture

    Workability
    • Easy to machine and install
    • Takes stains and paints readily
    • Lightweight and easy to work with

    Top tips
    • White Baltic Pine is popular in heritage restorations and country style homes, and in situations where rustic charm is desired.

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