Are Timber Floorboards the Best Options For Perth Homes?

There are two types of floorboards; solid timber and veneered timber. Solid timber is often used because it is more durable in that it can be resanded several times if necessary to take out scuff marks, dents or stains. Then it can be resealed and looks just like a new timber floor again. Solid timber floorboards can be used as your primary floor as they are very strong.

Veneer timber floorboards lack the strength of solid timber and are mostly used as a floating floor over the top of another medium such as concrete or an old floor. The base part of veneered floorboards is made up of a fibre board similar to Masonite. It has a thin slice of timber over the top to give it good looks. Due to this veneer being so thin, this type of flooring cannot be sanded back as often as solid timber floorboards can. However, veneer floorboards are very stable due the manufacturing processes used on them. They will not absorb moisture from the atmosphere, or dry out and crack like solid timber does if it is not kept sealed.

Both types of timber flooring are viable options for Perth homes. Timber needs to be kept sealed, but the finishes they are done with last for years, so it is not hard to maintain them. All they need is a regular vacuuming to remove grit that could cause abrasion and wear to the finish more quickly, and an occasional damp mopping. In climates that are hot and dry like Perth, timber floors give good value for money. There is little moisture in the atmosphere and so the timber boards will not be absorbing and drying out all the time like they would in a damper climate.

It is not so much either the absorption of moisture from the atmosphere that affects timber floorboards, but constantly absorbing and then drying out that causes minute cracks to appear. So timber floors of all kinds are suitable for Perth homes.

Timber flooring can be great and really increase the value of your home. However is Timber flooring the best option for a new home built in Perth?