Quick answer
Choose 18mm solid herringbone for a floor that can be sanded and refinished many times over its life, glued to a dry slab or ply subfloor in a house without underfloor heating. Choose 14/15mm engineered herringbone for underfloor heating, tighter floor-height limits, apartments, or slabs where moisture is hard to control. Surface hardness and appearance are the same if the oak layer and grade are the same.
Solid herringbone is parquet made from blocks of solid timber through their full thickness – Timbo's are 18mm European oak, tongue and groove. Engineered herringbone is parquet made from blocks with an oak top layer (the lamella or wear layer) bonded to a plywood or softwood core; 14mm and 15mm are common overall thicknesses.
18mm solid vs 14/15mm engineered at a glance
| 18mm solid oak herringbone | 14/15mm engineered herringbone | |
|---|---|---|
| Construction | Solid oak, tongue and groove | Oak top layer on ply/softwood core |
| Usable wear layer | Oak above the tongue | Top layer only (check spec) |
| Re-sanding | Many times | Limited by top layer |
| Stability | Good; small blocks spread movement | Better; core restrains movement |
| Underfloor heating | Possible with care | Generally preferred |
| Build-up height | 18mm plus adhesive | 14–15mm plus adhesive |
| Finish on arrival | Often raw – sanded and coated on site (ask Timbo per batch) | Often prefinished |
| Supply cost (AU, incl. GST) | Raw solid oak herringbone about $94.99/m² retail | About $79–$160/m² |
| Installed cost (AU, incl. GST) | Supply + labour $60–$120/m² + sand/coat $30–$70/m² | About $160–$320/m² |
Look
Installed and finished, the two look the same when the top layer is sawn oak of the same grade. Raw solid blocks are sanded flat after laying, which gives a seamless, flat surface with crisp joints and lets you choose any stain, oil or lacquer on site. Prefinished engineered blocks arrive coated, often with micro-bevels on the edges that subtly outline each block. Grade matters more than construction: Prime grade gives the calm, even look that suits pattern floors – see oak flooring grades.
Hardness and durability
Surface hardness is the same – it's oak either way, at about 4.2–6.1 kN on the Janka scale (PFC, Flooring Expert). The difference is how long the floor can be kept looking new. A herringbone floor wears in traffic lanes; renewing it means sanding through the finish into fresh oak. With 18mm solid there is a deep layer above the tongue to work with. With engineered, every sand eats into a limited top layer, so check its thickness before you buy.
Stability
Engineered is more stable; solid herringbone is stable enough for most homes. Herringbone suits solid timber well because short blocks laid in two directions distribute seasonal movement across many joints. Engineered goes further by restraining movement with its cross-laminated core. For both, install within about ±2% of the expected in-service moisture content (WoodSolutions) and acclimatise according to the manufacturer's instructions – see acclimatising oak flooring.
Cost
Totals overlap; compare complete installed prices, not supply alone.
| Item | Typical range (incl. GST) | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Raw solid French oak herringbone 710 × 126 × 18mm, supply | $94.99/m² retail | SET Timber Supplies, Melbourne Timber Supplies |
| Engineered oak herringbone, supply | about $79–$160/m² | Skov, Imperial |
| Engineered oak herringbone, installed | about $160–$320/m² | Artafloor, Artistic Wood Floor |
| Herringbone labour only | $60–$100/m²; $90–$120+/m² complex | The Flooring Guys |
| Sanding and coating (raw solid) | $30–$70/m² | WhatsTheDamage |
| NZ engineered oak (NZD incl. GST) | $99–$320+/m² supply; install $40–$150/m² | Marchand, Vienna Woods |
Raw solid adds an on-site sand and coat, but each future renewal is the same sand and coat. See the herringbone flooring cost guide.
Installation
Both are glued down by skilled installers; the substrate checks are the same. On a slab, expect flatness within about 3mm over 3m and a moisture barrier or moisture-barrier adhesive system, following the adhesive maker's limits (Bowens). In NZ, BRANZ guidance is no more than 75% relative humidity at the slab surface before laying solid timber (BRANZ BU644). Solid blocks need a little more height, which matters where herringbone meets tiles or an existing floor. See installing parquet over a concrete slab.
Underfloor heating
Engineered herringbone is generally preferred over solid on underfloor heating (Solid Wood Flooring Co). If solid is used, the slab and timber must be dry, and the system should limit the floor surface to about 27°C with a floor sensor. See underfloor heating and oak flooring.
Maintenance
Daily care is identical: sweep, damp-mop with a timber-safe cleaner, felt pads under furniture. Oiled floors can be spot-repaired; lacquered floors are recoated by area. The difference is at refinishing time – solid gives you more full sands in reserve.
Sustainability and provenance
Engineered uses less oak per square metre; solid lasts longer and is a single material. With engineered, check where both the oak layer and the core are made – China supplies about 43% of Australia's engineered wood product imports (Wood Central). For any imported timber, Australian importers must run a due-diligence system under the Illegal Logging Prohibition Act (DAFF).
Which should you choose?
- House on a dry slab or ply, no underfloor heating: 18mm solid.
- Underfloor heating: engineered, unless installer and heating supplier approve solid.
- Tight height at thresholds: engineered may be easier.
- Apartment: usually engineered, subject to strata acoustic rules.
- Heritage or high-end renovation intended to last generations: 18mm solid.
Timbo supplies 18mm solid oak herringbone in 710mm and 820mm lengths to trade partners. Homeowners can find a Timbo partner; flooring businesses can become a partner.
Sources
- SET Timber Supplies; Melbourne Timber Supplies
- Skov; Imperial; Artafloor; Artistic Wood Floor
- The Flooring Guys; WhatsTheDamage
- Marchand; Vienna Woods
- PFC – Janka rating; Flooring Expert
- WoodSolutions – moisture guide; Bowens; BRANZ BU644
- The Solid Wood Flooring Company – underfloor heating
- Wood Central; DAFF
Frequently asked questions
Is solid or engineered herringbone better?
Solid 18mm is better for longevity and re-sanding; engineered is better for stability over underfloor heating and where the build-up height is tight. On a dry slab or ply subfloor without heating, solid is a strong long-term choice.
How many times can 18mm solid herringbone be sanded?
Several times over its life, because there is a thick layer of oak above the tongue. The exact number depends on how much each sand removes and how level the floor is. Engineered herringbone is limited by its oak top layer, which may allow fewer sands.
Is engineered herringbone cheaper than solid?
Not always. Engineered oak herringbone supply ranges from about $79 to $160/m², and raw solid oak herringbone is about $94.99/m² at retail. Prefinished engineered can avoid on-site sanding and coating, which typically costs $30–$70/m².
Does engineered herringbone look different from solid?
Not once installed, if the top layer is sawn oak of the same grade and finish. You may notice bevelled edges on some prefinished engineered products; raw solid blocks are sanded flat after laying for a seamless surface.
Can solid herringbone go on underfloor heating?
It can work with care, but engineered is generally preferred. The timber must be dry, and the heating controlled with a floor sensor to keep the surface to about 27°C. Talk to your installer and heating supplier first.
What thickness is Timbo herringbone?
18mm solid European oak, tongue and groove, in 710 × 123mm (standard) and 820 × 123mm (large) blocks. The 710mm box holds 16 panels, about 1.4 m².