08 May Engineered Timber Flooring Cost Guide [Updated 2023]
Looking for affordable real timber flooring? Living in an apartment with strict strata policies? No problem, check out engineered timber flooring!
Engineered hardwood and oak flooring allows you to bring real timber into apartments and townhouses which normally do not allow loud installations (an inevitable component of laying solid timber). Furthermore, engineered hardwood flooring is made of gorgeous real timber while providing a slightly cheaper alternative to using solid hardwood flooring.
This article will provide you with the cost of purchasing, installing and maintaining an engineered timber floor. Additionally, we will compare the pricing and qualities of this flooring with other types so you are able to make a well-informed choice that best suits your needs.
What is Engineered Flooring
These engineered timber floors consist of three main layers:
- Wear Layer – Like all flooring options, engineered timber flooring uses a lacquered surface which provides scratch, moisture and UV protection.
- Timber Veneer – Engineered timber contains a veneer of real timber which usually varies between 2 mm to 6mm in thickness. This gives it the real timber experience which laminate floors cannot match.
- Core Board – Engineered timber usually contains a plywood core which provides dimensional stability against floorboard movements. Some more innovative products like the HydroPro Timber use a 100% waterproof limestone based core.
Like laminate floors, engineered timber flooring is a floating floor with it’s own click-lock system. Installing engineered timber floors is slightly more complicated and expensive compared to other floating floors. Some people will choose to install it with a glue down method, making it more solid and less prone to noises if the subfloor structure changes in the future.
Engineered Flooring Cost Breakdown:
The costs of having engineered timber flooring in your home has been broken down into 3 main parts below. Prices are based on updated statistics in Australia as of 2021.
1. Cost of Purchasing Engineered Floors
- Engineered hardwood flooring made with Australian timbers such as Blackbutt typically cost between $80 to $130 per square meter for supply only.
- Engineered oak flooring is usually made with European or American woods, which tend to cost between $70 to $130 per square meter for supply only.
What causes the big price range? The thickness of the timber veneer ranges from 0.5mm up to 6.0mm, and as thicker veneers require more natural timber material, they are also priced higher.
More affordable engineered timber flooring will be thinner, typically 12 – 14mm thick. Premium options will not only be thicker, but often offer special features like waterproofing!
2. Cost of Installing Engineered Floors
Engineered timber can be installed in two ways: Floating or Direct-stick.
- Floating installations are much simpler and more affordable as they rely on a pre-installed click-lock system which requires no nails or glue. Instead, they simply ‘click’ together like a giant jigsaw puzzle. This method is also DIY friendly. If you were to hire a professional, you can expect to pay $30 – $35 per square metre.
- Direct-stick installations are a little more complex, and less DIY-friendly and also need glue! As such, this method is a little more expensive and can cost $40 – $50 per square metre when hiring a professional.
Why would you want to glue down the engineered timber flooring?
A glue down installation will fix the planks into place and significantly reduce movement, meaning it will be much less likely to warp, swell or buckle when exposed to moisture. Direct-stick installations are recommended for engineered timbers of 15mm thickness or above, and a requirement for engineered timbers thicker than 20mm.
3. Cost of Maintaining Engineered Floors
The cost of maintaining engineered flooring is minimal compared to the cost of repairing them from the failure to maintain. Here is a basic checklist:
- Felt padding for furniture legs will significantly reduce the amount of scuffs and scratches, especially in the dining and study areas.
- Doormats & rugs are great for protecting high traffic areas.
- Clippers to trim our furry friend’s nails.
- Dont forget to clean engineered timber floors!
When it comes to cleaning engineered timber flooring, we recommend mopping with a slightly damp mop or sweeping. Vacuuming is also great, provided you use a padded head to avoid scratches. Stick to natural chemical cleaning products. A weekly clean should keep them looking beautiful.
How long does engineered flooring last?
Engineered timber flooring can last up to 30 years in the right conditions, with occasional maintenance as simple as a simple sweep or quick vacuum. In the event that your floor gets scratched, these planks can also be sanded and polished for a brand new look, provided that the timber veneer is thick enough. This can keep your planks looking as good as new for many years to come. At FloorVenue, we recommend checking the warranty, as it is an indicator of how long you can expect the floors to last.
Engineered Flooring vs Solid Timber flooring
Engineered timber flooring was designed as a cheaper alternative to solid wood flooring whilst offering improved structural integrity and dimensional stability. For those who want the most authentic options on the market, there is no better choice than solid wood flooring. However, engineered flooring is still made with a real wood veneer at a lower price point.
Raw timber flooring will cost between $70 and $130 per square meter, while pre-finished timber flooring varies between $100 to $140 per square meter. This price range is attributable to the timber ‘grade’ which determines the amount of natural features like knots and other visual variations. Cleaner timber is more expensive as they are harder to come across, whereas lower grade options with more natural characteristics tends to also be more affordable.
Meanwhile, Engineered timber flooring costs between $65 – $110 as described earlier in this article, where the pricing is determined not so much by grading, but instead by the thickness of the real timber veneer.
Engineered Hardwood vs Engineered Oak
Engineered hardwood and engineered oak are both the same type of floor, which is engineered wood planks. The main difference is that Engineered timber flooring are made with Australian timbers such as Spotted Gum, whereas Engineered Oak flooring is made with European and American woods.
So how do we choose between the two? Hardwoods offer a more rustic appeal, although they can be clean and smooth in higher grade timbers. They are also a little more durable with a Janka rating typically within 7 – 11, whereas oak woods have an average Janka rating of 6. Engineered oak ranges offer a more ‘elegant’ aesthetic with a European touch.
- Pricing is quite similar, with Engineered hardwood costing between $80 to $130 per square meter.
- Engineered oak flooring tends to cost between $70 to $130 per square meter.
Engineered flooring vs Laminate flooring
Both floor’s main selling points include their abilities to retain an authentic timber look and feel, although laminate flooring is not made of real timber. In residential environments the expected lifespan of engineered wood flooring is around 30 years, whereas it is 15 to 25 years on average for laminate flooring.
In terms of pricing, Engineered wood flooring definitely sits at the higher end of the market, at between $70 to $120 per square meter.
Laminate flooring’s price ranges are significantly lower at between $20 to $50 per square meter. Installation costs of engineered timber is also higher than laminate flooring as it is a little more complicated.
HydroPro Waterproof Engineered Timber Flooring
HydroPro timber flooring is an innovative new range of engineered timber flooring using the latest engineering technology. It is a leading water resistant engineered timber flooring in Australia, featuring a 100% waterproof composite core as well as 8 layers of world-class UV lacquer. You won’t have to worry about moisture or water damage because these planks are immune to warping or swelling.
The authentic Australian timber used in engineering these planks are hand-selected and measured for optimal moisture content balance, ensuring the greatest floor stability. If you want flooring which will last with minimal problems, FloorVenue recommends this range.
Waterproof engineered timber flooring prices vary between $150 – $200 per square metre (fully laid) depending on the method of installation and whether any floor preparation is required.
Interested in a quote for HydroPro Timber? Shoot us a message or contact us here.
Conclusion – Is Engineered Timber Worth The Price?
Ultimately, it depends on why you need new flooring. Engineered wood flooring is a great investment for long-term living, especially if you plan to stay there as your permanent home. This is because they offer the natural beauty of hardwood at a lower price than solid timber, and most brands can also be sanded and polished.
However, we certainly wouldn’t recommend paying the premium if you have a rental or investment property. In this scenario, we would recommend going for a more affordable laminate or hybrid floor, or even carpets.
You can discover the full pros and cons of engineered flooring by reading our ultimate guide, or checking out our full flooring price comparison. At FloorVenue, we recommend consulting with our friendly experts before making a decision. With over 20 years of experience in refitting homes and businesses across Sydney, we’re certain that you’ll be able to choose the right dream floor with us.
