Quick answer
Choose laminate if you need the lowest upfront cost, good resistance to light surface scratches, and a fast floating install – and you accept that it will be replaced, not renewed, at the end of its life. Choose timber if you want real wood, a warmer and quieter feel, a floor that can be sanded and refinished for decades, or a herringbone or chevron pattern. Laminate wins on price and surface scratch resistance; timber wins on authenticity, repairability and lifespan.
Laminate flooring is a manufactured board made of a high-density fibreboard (HDF) core, a printed décor paper that imitates wood, and a clear melamine wear layer, usually clicked together and floated over an underlay. Timber flooring is real wood: either solid timber through its full thickness or engineered timber with a real wood top layer.
Timber vs laminate at a glance
| Solid timber (e.g. 18mm oak parquet) | Laminate | |
|---|---|---|
| Surface | Real wood | Printed image under melamine |
| Core | Timber | High-density fibreboard |
| Wear rating | Janka hardness + finish | AC abrasion class |
| Light scratches | Shows them; can be sanded out | Resists them well |
| Deep damage | Sand, patch or replace individual blocks | Replace boards |
| Water | Wipe spills promptly | Core swells if water gets into joints |
| Sound underfoot | Solid and quiet (glued) | Can sound hollow (floating) |
| Lifespan | Decades; renewable by sanding | Replaced when worn |
| Cost | Higher | Lower |
| Patterns | True herringbone, chevron, parquet | Mostly printed planks; some click herringbone |
Look
Timber looks real because it is. Every board or block has unique grain, and the surface changes with light and viewing angle. A laminate print can be very convincing from a distance, but patterns repeat across boards and the surface lacks depth. If you want a true parquet pattern – blocks set at angles, each with its own grain – timber is the only way to get it. See parquet patterns.
Durability
Laminate resists surface wear; timber outlasts it. Laminate's melamine wear layer is hard and handles light scratches, grit and pet claws well; its durability is graded by abrasion class (AC rating) under European standards. Timber's dent resistance depends on species – European oak sits around 4.2–6.1 kN on the Janka scale, spotted gum about 11 kN (PFC) – and its scratch resistance mostly on the finish. The decisive difference: timber can be sanded back and recoated, typically $30–$70/m² (WhatsTheDamage), while worn or chipped laminate has to be replaced. See the Janka hardness chart.
Water and stability
Neither is a wet-area floor, and laminate is the more vulnerable to standing water. Laminate's fibreboard core can swell irreversibly if water gets into the joints. Solid timber also moves with moisture – at 25°C, timber equilibrium moisture content is about 11% at 60% relative humidity and 16% at 80% (ATFA) – but a sealed timber floor tolerates a quickly wiped spill, and minor water marks can often be sanded out. If water resistance is the priority, compare hybrid instead: see solid oak vs hybrid.
Cost
Laminate is much cheaper upfront; timber costs more but can be renewed instead of replaced. Indicative Australian prices:
| Item | Typical range | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Laminate (check whether install and underlay are included) | about $25–$80/m² | Oneflare |
| Hybrid / SPC, installed (for comparison) | $55–$120/m² incl. GST | WhatsTheDamage |
| Solid Australian hardwood, supply | $55–$130/m² incl. GST | D&G, HH Timber |
| Solid Australian hardwood, installed | $120–$367/m² incl. GST, by city | HH Timber |
| Raw solid French oak herringbone, supply | $94.99/m² incl. GST retail | SET Timber Supplies |
| Sanding and coating timber | $30–$70/m² incl. GST | WhatsTheDamage |
For the full picture see the timber flooring cost guide.
Installation
Laminate is quick and DIY-friendly; timber parquet is a professional, glue-down job. Laminate clicks together over an underlay on a flat subfloor and can often go over existing hard floors. Solid oak parquet is glued to a flat, dry slab or ply substrate with a moisture barrier or moisture-barrier adhesive (Bowens), and raw blocks are then sanded and coated on site.
Feel and sound
Glued-down timber feels solid and quiet underfoot; floating laminate can sound hollow or "clicky", particularly with hard shoes. A quality underlay helps. In apartments, check strata by-laws and acoustic requirements for any hard floor.
Maintenance
Laminate needs little more than sweeping and a barely damp mop – never a wet mop. Timber needs similar care with a timber-safe cleaner, plus felt pads and entry mats, and a recoat every few years in busy areas. See oak floor care and maintenance.
Sustainability and provenance
Timber is a natural, renewable material that can stay in service for decades; laminate is a wood-fibre composite with resins and a melamine surface, replaced at end of life. For timber, check legal-harvest documentation and FSC or PEFC certification where it matters; Australian importers must run a due-diligence system under the Illegal Logging Prohibition Act (DAFF).
Which should you choose?
- Rental, short-term home or tight budget: laminate (or hybrid if water is a concern).
- Busy household that hates visible scratches and won't refinish: laminate or hybrid.
- Forever home, period home or high-end renovation: timber.
- You want herringbone or chevron: real timber parquet – see parquet vs floorboards.
Timbo supplies Prime grade European solid oak parquet to the trade only. Homeowners can find a Timbo partner; flooring businesses can become a partner.
Sources
- Oneflare – laminate flooring cost
- WhatsTheDamage – flooring cost and timber floor sanding cost
- D&G Floors; HH Timber – flooring cost Sydney
- SET Timber Supplies – raw herringbone French oak
- PFC – Janka rating
- ATFA – acclimatisation of timber flooring
- Bowens – hardwood timber flooring
- DAFF – illegal logging
Frequently asked questions
Is laminate cheaper than timber flooring?
Yes, usually much cheaper upfront. Laminate is commonly quoted at about $25–$80/m², while solid Australian hardwood is about $120–$367/m² installed depending on city. Check whether laminate quotes include underlay and installation.
Is laminate more scratch-resistant than timber?
Generally, yes. Laminate's melamine wear layer resists light scratches well. But when laminate is deeply scratched or chipped, it can't be sanded – the board has to be replaced. Timber shows scratches sooner but can be sanded and refinished.
Is laminate waterproof?
Standard laminate is not. Its fibreboard core can swell if water gets into the joints. Some laminates are sold as water-resistant; read the warranty conditions carefully. For wet-prone areas, hybrid flooring is usually more water-resistant than laminate.
Does laminate look like real timber?
Good laminate can look convincing from a standing distance, but the image repeats and the surface lacks real grain depth. Up close and underfoot, most people can tell the difference.
Does timber flooring add more value than laminate?
There's no reliable public data on resale value by flooring type, so be cautious of claims. Real timber is generally seen as a premium material and can be refinished to suit future owners; laminate can't.
Can laminate be installed over existing floors?
Often, yes – laminate floats over an underlay on a flat, sound subfloor, which makes it a common DIY and fast-renovation choice. Timber parquet is glued down by a professional installer.