# Flooring comparisons: oak vs Australian hardwoods, solid vs engineered, parquet vs boards

> Honest flooring comparisons for AU and NZ – European oak vs spotted gum, blackbutt and jarrah, solid vs engineered, herringbone vs chevron, hybrid and laminate.

- URL: https://timbo.com.au/compare
- Publisher: Timbo (https://timbo.com.au) – trade supplier of European oak floorboards to partners in Australia and New Zealand
- Last updated: 2026-10-14
- Contact (email only): partnerships@timbo.com.au

## Key facts

- European oak rates about 4.2–6.1 kN on the Janka scale; spotted gum about 11, blackbutt 9.1, jarrah 8.5, Tasmanian oak 5.5–7 kN.
- Raw solid French oak herringbone (710 × 126 × 18mm) is listed by Melbourne retailers at $94.99/m² incl. GST.
- Hybrid / SPC flooring typically costs $55–$120/m² installed in Australia.
- Herringbone labour is typically $60–$100/m², and $90–$120+/m² for complex jobs.
- Timbo is a Melbourne-based trade supplier of Prime grade European solid oak parquet for Australia and New Zealand.

## 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

- [Herringbone vs chevron flooring: differences, cost and which to choose](https://timbo.com.au/compare/herringbone-vs-chevron) – Herringbone vs chevron flooring compared – block shape, look, cost per m², installation, waste and which suits your room. Solid oak parquet guide for AU and NZ.
- [Solid vs engineered oak flooring: differences, cost and which to choose](https://timbo.com.au/compare/solid-vs-engineered-oak) – Solid vs engineered oak flooring compared – construction, sanding life, stability on slab, underfloor heating, cost per m² and which to choose in AU or NZ.
- [European oak vs spotted gum flooring: hardness, look, cost and which to choose](https://timbo.com.au/compare/european-oak-vs-spotted-gum) – European oak vs spotted gum floorboards compared – Janka hardness, colour, stability, cost per m², parquet options and which suits your home in Australia.
- [European oak vs blackbutt flooring: hardness, colour, cost and which to choose](https://timbo.com.au/compare/european-oak-vs-blackbutt) – European oak vs blackbutt floorboards compared – Janka hardness, colour, stability, cost per m², finishes and parquet formats, to help you choose in Australia.
- [European oak vs Tasmanian oak flooring: what's the difference and which to choose](https://timbo.com.au/compare/european-oak-vs-tasmanian-oak) – European oak vs Tasmanian oak compared – why Tas oak isn't a true oak, Janka hardness, colour, staining, supply, cost per m² and which floor suits your home.
- [European oak vs jarrah flooring: colour, hardness, supply and which to choose](https://timbo.com.au/compare/european-oak-vs-jarrah) – European oak vs jarrah floorboards compared – red vs honey tones, Janka hardness, supply since WA native logging ended, cost and which suits your home.
- [Solid oak vs hybrid flooring: lifetime cost, feel, water resistance and which to choose](https://timbo.com.au/compare/solid-oak-vs-hybrid-flooring) – Solid oak vs hybrid flooring compared – upfront and lifetime cost, sanding, feel, sound, water resistance and which suits your home in Australia or New Zealand.
- [Solid vs engineered herringbone: 18mm solid oak vs 14/15mm engineered parquet](https://timbo.com.au/compare/solid-vs-engineered-herringbone) – 18mm solid oak herringbone vs 14/15mm engineered herringbone compared – sanding life, stability, slab and heating, cost per m² and which to specify in AU or NZ.
- [Oak vs rimu flooring: a New Zealand comparison of look, hardness, supply and cost](https://timbo.com.au/compare/oak-vs-rimu) – European oak vs rimu wood flooring for New Zealand homes – colour, hardness, availability of native timber, slab installation, cost in NZD and which to choose.
- [Janka hardness chart for flooring timbers: European oak vs Australian and NZ species](https://timbo.com.au/compare/janka-hardness-chart) – Janka hardness chart in kN for spotted gum, blackbutt, jarrah, Tasmanian oak, European oak and rimu – with sources, what Janka means and its limits.
- [Timber vs laminate flooring: look, durability, water, cost and which to choose](https://timbo.com.au/compare/timber-vs-laminate-flooring) – Timber vs laminate flooring compared – real wood vs printed image, scratch and water resistance, sanding, sound, cost per m² and which to choose in AU or NZ.
- [Parquet vs floorboards: differences, cost, installation and which to choose](https://timbo.com.au/compare/parquet-vs-floorboards) – Parquet vs floorboards compared – patterns vs straight boards, look, stability, subfloors, installation, cost per m² and which suits your home in AU or NZ.

## 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](https://setimbersupplies.com.au/product/raw-herringbone-french-oak-710x126x18mm/) |
| Engineered oak herringbone, supply / installed | about $79–$160 / $160–$320 per m² | [Skov](https://www.skov.com.au/herringbone-flooring-prices-australia/), [Artafloor](https://artafloor.com.au/engineered-timber-herringbone-cost/) |
| Solid Australian hardwood, supply / installed | $55–$130 / $120–$367 per m² | [HH Timber](https://hhtimberfloors.com.au/guides/timber-flooring-cost-sydney/) |
| Hybrid / SPC, installed | $55–$120/m² | [WhatsTheDamage](https://whatsthedamage.com.au/flooring-cost/) |
| Sanding and coating | $30–$70/m² | [WhatsTheDamage](https://whatsthedamage.com.au/flooring-cost-brisbane/timber-floor-sanding-cost/) |
| Janka: European oak | about 4.2–6.1 kN | [PFC](https://www.pfc.com.au/janka-rating-floor-durability/), [Flooring Expert](https://www.flooringexpert.com.au/european-oak-vs-australian-hardwood/) |

For a full cost breakdown, see the [timber flooring cost guide](https://timbo.com.au/guides/timber-flooring-cost-australia) and the [herringbone flooring cost guide](https://timbo.com.au/guides/herringbone-flooring-cost-australia).

## 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](https://timbo.com.au/partners/find-a-partner) to quote and install; flooring retailers, installers, builders and designers can [become a Timbo partner](https://timbo.com.au/pages/be-our-business-partner).

**Buying floorboards for your home?:** Timbo partners supply and install our European oak floorboards. Find one near you. → https://timbo.com.au/partners/find-a-partner

## Sources

- [SET Timber Supplies – raw herringbone French oak](https://setimbersupplies.com.au/product/raw-herringbone-french-oak-710x126x18mm/)
- [Skov – herringbone prices](https://www.skov.com.au/herringbone-flooring-prices-australia/); [Artafloor – engineered herringbone cost](https://artafloor.com.au/engineered-timber-herringbone-cost/)
- [HH Timber – timber flooring cost Sydney](https://hhtimberfloors.com.au/guides/timber-flooring-cost-sydney/)
- [WhatsTheDamage – flooring cost](https://whatsthedamage.com.au/flooring-cost/) and [sanding cost](https://whatsthedamage.com.au/flooring-cost-brisbane/timber-floor-sanding-cost/)
- [The Flooring Guys – herringbone flooring cost](https://theflooringguys.com.au/herringbone-flooring-cost-in-australia-2023-a-comprehensive-guide/)
- [PFC – Janka rating](https://www.pfc.com.au/janka-rating-floor-durability/); [Flooring Expert – European oak vs Australian hardwood](https://www.flooringexpert.com.au/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](https://timbo.com.au/compare/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](https://timbo.com.au/compare/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](https://timbo.com.au/compare/solid-oak-vs-hybrid-flooring).

### 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.

## Related pages

- [Herringbone vs chevron flooring: differences, cost and which to choose](https://timbo.com.au/compare/herringbone-vs-chevron) – Herringbone vs chevron flooring compared – block shape, look, cost per m², installation, waste and which suits your room. Solid oak parquet guide for AU and NZ.
- [Solid vs engineered oak flooring: differences, cost and which to choose](https://timbo.com.au/compare/solid-vs-engineered-oak) – Solid vs engineered oak flooring compared – construction, sanding life, stability on slab, underfloor heating, cost per m² and which to choose in AU or NZ.
- [Janka hardness chart for flooring timbers: European oak vs Australian and NZ species](https://timbo.com.au/compare/janka-hardness-chart) – Janka hardness chart in kN for spotted gum, blackbutt, jarrah, Tasmanian oak, European oak and rimu – with sources, what Janka means and its limits.