Quick answer
Choose rimu when you're restoring or extending a villa, bungalow or state house with original rimu floors, or you want a warm, golden-red native timber with heritage character. Choose European oak for new builds and renovations where you want a lighter, neutral floor, reliable supply, herringbone or chevron patterns, and a slightly harder surface. Rimu wins on NZ heritage and local story; oak wins on availability, hardness and format choice.
Rimu (Dacrydium cupressinum) is a native New Zealand conifer that was the country's main flooring and joinery timber for much of the 20th century. European oak (Quercus robur and Q. petraea) is a temperate hardwood grown across Europe and widely used for wood flooring in New Zealand.
Oak vs rimu at a glance
| European oak | Rimu | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Hardwood | Native conifer (softwood) |
| Origin | Europe | New Zealand |
| Hardness (Janka) | about 4.2–6.1 kN | Lower; one supplier lists about 3.6 kN |
| Colour | Honey, straw, light brown | Golden to reddish brown, often figured |
| Ageing | Mellows slightly | Deepens and reddens with light |
| New supply | Steady import supply | Scarce; harvest tightly controlled |
| Common formats | Boards, herringbone, chevron | Tongue-and-groove boards; recycled boards |
| Typical use | New builds, renovations, pattern floors | Heritage restoration, matching existing floors |
Look
Rimu is warmer and more varied; oak is calmer and more neutral. Rimu's golden-to-reddish tones and striped figure are part of the classic Kiwi villa look, and the colour deepens with exposure to light. European oak gives a neutral base that suits contemporary NZ interiors and takes white, natural, smoked and stained finishes. Many renovations combine both: original rimu in the front rooms, oak in a modern extension, with a deliberate threshold between them.
Hardness and durability
European oak is the harder of the two. Oak rates about 4.2–6.1 kN on the Janka scale (PFC, Flooring Expert). Independent published figures for rimu are hard to find; one NZ flooring supplier lists rimu at about 3.6 kN (Plantation Bamboo), and rimu is widely regarded as softer than oak. In practice both floors dent under point loads, and both rely on a good finish. See the Janka hardness chart for context and caveats.
Stability and slabs
Most new NZ homes are on concrete slab, which shapes the decision more than species. About 92% of new NZ houses are built on slab (ArchiPro NZ, citing BRANZ). BRANZ guidance is that the slab surface should be at or below 75% relative humidity before solid timber is laid (BRANZ BU644), and a 100mm slab can take four months or more to dry (PlaceMakers). Glued solid oak parquet is well suited to a dry slab, because short blocks laid in two directions spread movement. Traditional rimu boards were typically nailed to timber joists in older homes. See timber flooring over slab in NZ.
Cost
New rimu is scarce, so prices depend on what is available; oak has published price ranges. Indicative NZ prices for engineered oak are NZD $99–$320+/m² incl. GST supply, with installation about $40–$150/m² (Marchand, Vienna Woods). Solid oak parquet prices in NZ vary with freight and finish – get quotes in NZD and confirm GST (15%). For rimu, ask specialist recyclers and native-timber mills for current pricing; restoring an existing rimu floor is usually far cheaper than any new floor. See oak flooring cost in NZ.
| Item | Indicative price | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Engineered oak, supply (NZD incl. GST) | $99–$320+/m² | Marchand |
| Installation (NZD) | $40–$150/m² | Vienna Woods |
| New or recycled rimu | Varies with availability | Ask local suppliers |
Installation
Oak parquet is glued to a flat, dry slab or ply substrate; rimu boards are traditionally nailed over joists. When joining a new oak floor to existing rimu, plan levels and thresholds with your installer. Imported timber must meet MPI import health standards for wood products (MPI) – see MPI requirements for imported timber flooring.
Maintenance
Both are cared for the same way: sweep, damp-mop with a timber-safe cleaner, felt pads and entry mats, and recoat before the finish wears through. Softer rimu shows dents and wear sooner in high-traffic areas.
Sustainability and provenance
Rimu's story is local; its supply is limited by design. Harvesting and milling native timber in New Zealand requires approval under Part 3A of the Forests Act 1949, with harvest limits set to stay below forest growth (MPI). Recycled rimu is an excellent low-impact choice where you can get it. European oak is imported; New Zealand's legal-harvest assurance regime is being redesigned (MPI), so ask suppliers for chain-of-custody evidence such as FSC or PEFC certificates. For Timbo's documentation, ask Timbo.
Which should you choose?
- Villa or bungalow with original rimu: restore it; match with recycled rimu if you need more.
- New build on slab: European oak, glued to a dry slab, or engineered oak if the programme is tight.
- You want herringbone or chevron: European oak.
- You want a lighter, neutral or smoked floor: European oak.
Timbo supplies New Zealand trade customers from Melbourne stock, with freight quoted per order. NZ flooring businesses can learn about partnering with Timbo in New Zealand or apply for a trade account; homeowners can find a partner or email partnerships@timbo.com.au to be connected.
Sources
- PFC – Janka rating; Flooring Expert
- Plantation Bamboo – flooring brochure (rimu hardness, supplier figure)
- ArchiPro NZ – solid vs engineered (BRANZ slab statistic); BRANZ BU644; PlaceMakers
- Marchand – engineered oak cost NZ; Vienna Woods – timber flooring cost NZ
- MPI – native forests; MPI – wood products import; MPI – legal harvest assurance
Frequently asked questions
Is rimu a hardwood?
Botanically, no. Rimu is a conifer (a podocarp), so it is classed as a softwood, although it has long been used for floors. European oak is a true hardwood.
Is oak harder than rimu?
Generally, yes. European oak rates about 4.2–6.1 kN on the Janka scale. Published rimu figures are lower – one NZ flooring supplier lists about 3.6 kN – though values vary by source and timber.
Can I still buy new rimu flooring?
In small quantities. Native timber can only be harvested and milled with approval under the Forests Act 1949, under sustainable-management rules that limit volumes. Much rimu flooring sold today is recycled from demolished buildings.
Should I restore my villa's rimu floor or replace it with oak?
If the rimu is sound, restoring it is usually the better choice – it is part of the home's character and sanding is far cheaper than a new floor. Oak suits new extensions, rooms that never had native timber, or where the old floor is beyond repair.
Can oak flooring go on a new NZ concrete slab?
Yes, once the slab is dry enough. BRANZ guidance is no more than 75% relative humidity at the slab surface for solid timber, and a 100mm slab can take four months or more to dry.
How do I buy Timbo oak in New Zealand?
Timbo supplies trade customers in New Zealand from Melbourne stock, with freight quoted per order. Homeowners should contact Timbo to be connected with a partner; NZ flooring businesses can apply to become partners.