How to use these comparisons
Start with the question you're actually trying to answer. Most flooring decisions come down to three choices: which timber (European oak or an Australian or NZ species), which construction (solid, engineered, hybrid or laminate) and which format (herringbone, chevron, other parquet or straight floorboards). Each comparison below covers one of those choices with a quick answer, a side-by-side table, cited cost ranges and a "which should you choose?" section for common scenarios.
A note on bias: Timbo is a trade supplier of Prime grade European solid oak parquet, so we have an interest in oak. That's why every page cites independent sources for prices and hardness, and says plainly when another option – an Australian hardwood, engineered timber, hybrid or laminate – is the better fit.
All comparisons
Verdicts at a glance
| Comparison | Choose the first if… | Choose the second if… |
|---|---|---|
| Herringbone vs chevron | You want a classic, textured pattern that's a little more forgiving to install | You want a cleaner, more directional V and accept more exacting set-out |
| Solid vs engineered oak | You want the most re-sands and longest life on a dry slab or ply | You have underfloor heating, acoustic underlays or a hard-to-control slab |
| Solid vs engineered herringbone | 18mm solid: a house without underfloor heating, built to last generations | 14/15mm engineered: heating, apartments or tight floor heights |
| European oak vs spotted gum | You want a calm, versatile floor or a parquet pattern | You want maximum hardness (about 11 kN) and bold Australian character |
| European oak vs blackbutt | You want finish flexibility (white, smoked, stained) or parquet | You want a hard (about 9.1 kN), pale, locally grown board |
| European oak vs Tasmanian oak | You want true oak grain, ray fleck or a pattern floor | You want an affordable, Australian-grown pale board for staining |
| European oak vs jarrah | You want a neutral, adaptable floor with steady supply | You love deep red timber or are restoring existing jarrah |
| Oak vs rimu (NZ) | New build or renovation wanting a neutral or patterned floor | Restoring or matching a villa's original rimu |
| Solid oak vs hybrid | You want real timber that can be sanded and renewed | You want the lowest upfront cost and water resistance |
| Timber vs laminate | You want authenticity, a solid feel and a long, renewable life | You want the lowest price and light-scratch resistance |
| Parquet vs floorboards | You want a feature floor with pattern, especially on slab | You want lower installed cost and a simpler linear look |
| Janka hardness chart | Reference: hardness values in kN for spotted gum, blackbutt, jarrah, Tasmanian oak, European oak and rimu, plus the limits of Janka | – |
The numbers behind the comparisons
The same benchmarks appear across these pages so you can compare like with like. All are indicative and include GST unless stated:
| Benchmark | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Raw solid French oak herringbone 710 × 126 × 18mm, supply | $94.99/m² retail | SET Timber Supplies |
| Engineered oak herringbone, supply / installed | about $79–$160 / $160–$320 per m² | Skov, Artafloor |
| Solid Australian hardwood, supply / installed | $55–$130 / $120–$367 per m² | HH Timber |
| Hybrid / SPC, installed | $55–$120/m² | WhatsTheDamage |
| Sanding and coating | $30–$70/m² | WhatsTheDamage |
| Janka: European oak | about 4.2–6.1 kN | PFC, Flooring Expert |
For a full cost breakdown, see the timber flooring cost guide and the herringbone flooring cost guide.
Buying Timbo oak
Timbo is a Melbourne-based trade supplier of Prime grade European solid oak herringbone and chevron parquet, 18mm thick, for Australia and New Zealand. We don't sell or install direct to homeowners. Homeowners can find a Timbo partner to quote and install; flooring retailers, installers, builders and designers can become a Timbo partner.
Sources
- SET Timber Supplies – raw herringbone French oak
- Skov – herringbone prices; Artafloor – engineered herringbone cost
- HH Timber – timber flooring cost Sydney
- WhatsTheDamage – flooring cost and sanding cost
- The Flooring Guys – herringbone flooring cost
- PFC – Janka rating; Flooring Expert – European oak vs Australian hardwood
Frequently asked questions
Which is the hardest flooring timber?
Of the common species compared here, spotted gum is the hardest at about 11 kN on the Janka scale, followed by blackbutt (about 9.1 kN) and jarrah (about 8.5 kN). European oak is moderate at about 4.2–6.1 kN. See the Janka hardness chart.
Is European oak better than Australian hardwood?
Neither is better across the board. Australian hardwoods such as spotted gum and blackbutt are harder and locally grown. European oak is calmer in colour, more versatile with finishes and the usual timber for herringbone and chevron parquet.
Should I choose solid or engineered oak?
Solid oak gives the most re-sands and the longest life on a dry slab or ply subfloor. Engineered oak is more stable and generally preferred over underfloor heating. See solid vs engineered oak.
Is hybrid flooring a good alternative to timber?
For budget, rentals and wet-prone areas, yes – hybrid is cheaper upfront and water-resistant. It can't be sanded, though, so it is replaced rather than renewed. See solid oak vs hybrid.
Are these comparisons biased towards oak?
Timbo supplies European oak, so we say so upfront. Each comparison cites independent sources for prices and hardness and states plainly where Australian hardwoods, engineered, hybrid or laminate are the better choice.
Where can I buy Timbo oak flooring?
Timbo sells only to the trade. Homeowners buy and install through a Timbo partner; flooring businesses can apply for a trade account.