Timber species & finishes
Timber Species & Finishes
The timbers we sand, polish, stain and restore across Sydney, the grades they come in, and the finishes we trust to protect them.
About solid hardwood
A timeless, durable choice
Solid tongue and groove hardwood flooring is valued for its durability and natural character, and it suits both modern and traditional interiors. Kiln-dried hardwood flooring has been used across Australia for over a century and can be installed over joists, concrete, plywood, battens and other subfloors.
Natural variation is part of every timber floor. No sample can fully show the final result: the true colour and character come through after sanding and finishing. Over time, lighter timbers in particular develop warmer honey tones.
Timber grades
Choosing a grade
The grade sets how much natural feature you see: knots, insect markings and other variations. Most timbers come in three grades.
Contemporary
Select / low feature
Minimal natural features for a clean, refined, minimalist look. Often a premium option because of demand for a more uniform floor.
Colonial
Medium feature
A balanced mix of boards with a moderate level of natural features: a relatively clean finish with added character.
Natural Feature
Rustic / high feature
More knots, insect markings and natural variation. Suits a rustic, aged or organic look, rich in character.
Timber species
24 timbers we work with
Janka hardness measures how well a timber resists dents: the higher the number, the harder the timber. Harder species suit busy homes with kids and pets.
Eastern Australia
Turpentine
One of Australia’s most durable hardwoods, renowned for its resistance to wear. A sought-after species for both homes and commercial floors.
Janka hardness: 8,600 N
Grain: Interlocked
Colour: Red-brown to purple-brown
Finishes: Matte, satin, gloss
Eastern Australia
Australian Beech
A fine, even texture and subtle pink tones. Prized for its consistency and clean look in contemporary interiors.
Janka hardness: 6,800 N
Grain: Straight to interlocked
Colour: Pale pink to light brown
Finishes: Matte, satin
Inland Australia
Australian Cypress Pine
Naturally termite resistant and full of character, with distinctive knots and warm honey tones for a rustic, organic feel.
Janka hardness: 5,000 N
Grain: Straight, knotty
Colour: Honey yellow to brown
Finishes: Natural oil, matte
Northern Europe
Baltic Pine
A heritage favourite in many Australian homes. Warm golden colour and fine grain that sands and stains beautifully.
Janka hardness: 3,000 N
Grain: Straight, fine
Colour: Pale cream to golden
Finishes: Natural oil, matte
Eastern Australia
Blackbutt
One of Australia’s most popular hardwoods. Outstanding durability with a clean, pale look that suits modern and traditional homes.
Janka hardness: 9,100 N
Grain: Straight to wavy
Colour: Pale brown to light tan
Finishes: Matte, satin, gloss
Eastern Australia
Brush Box
Exceptionally hard and durable, with a distinctive interlocked grain and rich pink-grey tones. Ideal for high-traffic areas.
Janka hardness: 9,500 N
Grain: Interlocked
Colour: Pink-grey to red-brown
Finishes: Satin, gloss
Eastern Australia
Forest Reds
Warm, richly coloured timber with deep red tones that add depth to traditional and contemporary interiors.
Janka hardness: 8,000 N
Grain: Straight to wavy
Colour: Red to red-brown
Finishes: Matte, satin
Eastern Australia
Grey Ironbark
Among the hardest and most durable of all Australian timbers. Dense grain and dark tones create a bold floor with exceptional longevity.
Janka hardness: 14,000 N
Grain: Interlocked
Colour: Grey-brown to dark brown
Finishes: Satin, gloss
Australia and Europe
Heritage Oak
Timeless and versatile, combining warm honey tones with a refined grain. One of the most popular choices for homes.
Janka hardness: 5,900 N
Grain: Cathedral and straight
Colour: Warm honey to golden brown
Finishes: All finishes
Eastern Australia
Ironbark
The benchmark of Australian hardwoods. Extraordinarily dense and resilient, with a rich red-brown colour that deepens over time.
Janka hardness: 14,300 N
Grain: Interlocked
Colour: Red-brown to dark brown
Finishes: Satin, gloss
South-eastern Australia
Alpine Ash
Light, clean and elegant, with a fine straight grain and pale straw tones. Ideal for Scandinavian and contemporary interiors.
Janka hardness: 5,500 N
Grain: Straight, fine
Colour: Pale straw to light brown
Finishes: Matte, satin
Western Australia
Jarrah
An iconic species with a rich, deep red colour and exceptional durability.
Janka hardness: 8,500 N
Grain: Straight to wavy
Colour: Deep red to mahogany
Finishes: Matte, satin, gloss
Western Australia
Karri
From one of the world’s tallest hardwood trees. A rich red-brown timber with excellent durability.
Janka hardness: 9,000 N
Grain: Interlocked
Colour: Red-brown to deep red
Finishes: Satin, gloss
Queensland
Kauri Pine
A beautiful heritage softwood with a fine, even grain and warm golden tones, highly valued in restoration projects.
Janka hardness: 3,500 N
Grain: Straight, even
Colour: Pale yellow to golden
Finishes: Natural oil, matte
Australia
Mixed Species
A characterful blend of Australian hardwoods, often found in period homes, with every board telling its own story.
Janka hardness: Varies
Grain: Varied
Colour: Wide range
Finishes: All finishes
New England Tablelands, NSW
New England Beech
A premium Australian beech with a fine, consistent grain and warm pink-brown tones.
Janka hardness: 7,300 N
Grain: Straight to interlocked
Colour: Pale pink to warm brown
Finishes: Matte, satin
Eastern Australia
Northern Box
Exceptionally hard and naturally durable, with warm yellow-brown tones. Outstanding for high-traffic areas.
Janka hardness: 11,600 N
Grain: Interlocked
Colour: Yellow-brown to red-brown
Finishes: Satin, gloss
Eastern Australia
Red Ironbark
A stunning deep red species of extraordinary hardness, prized for its rich colour.
Janka hardness: 14,300 N
Grain: Interlocked
Colour: Deep red to dark brown
Finishes: Satin, gloss
Eastern Australia
Rose River Gum
Pink-red tones and an interlocked grain that creates a natural lustre.
Janka hardness: 9,800 N
Grain: Interlocked, wavy
Colour: Pink-red to dark red
Finishes: Satin, gloss
Queensland
Satin Ash
Named for its natural silky sheen. Fine grain and pale tones that respond beautifully to stains.
Janka hardness: 5,200 N
Grain: Straight to wavy
Colour: Pale yellow to light brown
Finishes: Matte, satin
Eastern Australia
Spotted Gum
Australia’s most recognisable hardwood. Its wavy grain creates a ripple-like lustre that makes every floor unique.
Janka hardness: 11,000 N
Grain: Wavy, interlocked
Colour: Light brown to grey-brown
Finishes: All finishes
NSW and Victoria
Sydney Blue Gum
A Sydney icon. Warm pink-brown tones and reliable hardness, a staple of Sydney homes for over a century.
Janka hardness: 9,000 N
Grain: Straight to wavy
Colour: Pink-brown to red-brown
Finishes: Matte, satin, gloss
Eastern Australia
Tallowwood
Durable and distinctive, with rich olive-brown tones and natural depth. Suits homes and commercial spaces.
Janka hardness: 8,800 N
Grain: Interlocked
Colour: Yellow-brown to olive brown
Finishes: Satin, gloss
Tasmania and SE Australia
Tasmanian Oak
One of Australia’s most versatile timbers. Fine, consistent grain and pale neutral tones that take stains beautifully.
Janka hardness: 5,500 N
Grain: Straight, even
Colour: Cream to light brown
Finishes: All finishes
Finishes and coatings
The finish is your choice
The finish is a critical part of the final result. We assess your floor, understand your expectations and present the options that suit, from water-based and solvent-based polyurethane in matte, satin, low sheen or gloss, to natural oils, stains and tints.
Having tested a wide range of products, we use trusted brands, and we are always happy to discuss alternative products on request.
Water-based or solvent-based?
Water-based polyurethane keeps the timber’s natural colour, has less odour, cures faster and is lower in VOCs.
Solvent-based polyurethane is slightly more durable and develops a warmer amber tone over time.
Sheen: matte and satin hide dust and wear best. Gloss is striking but shows every mark. Satin is the most popular balance.
Products we use
Trusted brands
