What a good oak flooring specification covers
A good specification fixes what is supplied, how it performs, how it's installed and how it's finished – leaving no room for an unapproved substitute. For European oak parquet and floorboards, that means four groups of requirements: product, performance, installation and documentation. The checklist below is written for architects, interior designers and specifiers in Australia and New Zealand. Timbo supports designers and architects with samples and product information.
Specification checklist
| Item | What to specify | Notes / source |
|---|---|---|
| Species | European oak (Quercus robur and/or Q. petraea) | Confirm with supplier |
| Grade | Supplier's appearance grade, e.g. Prime; approved samples | AS 2796 does not grade European oak (ATFA) |
| Dimensions | Length × width × thickness, e.g. 710 × 123 × 18mm | Timbo herringbone: 710 or 820 × 123 × 18mm |
| Pattern | Herringbone, chevron, pattern parquet; set-out and borders | Show set-out on drawings |
| Construction | Solid or engineered; T&G profile; standard e.g. EN 13226 | dataholz |
| CE / DoP | Declaration of Performance under EN 14342 | Request from supplier |
| Reaction to fire | Class required for the building; untreated solid parquet typically D_fl-s1 | Certifier confirms NCC compliance |
| Formaldehyde | Emission class as declared in the DoP | EN 14342 characteristic |
| Slip resistance | Stairs: P3 dry / P4 wet (AS 4586) commonly cited | SlipTest |
| Acoustics | Tested system for apartments; by-law requirements | Acoustic consultant |
| Moisture content | Within about ±2% of in-service EMC | WoodSolutions, NATSPEC |
| Substrate | Flatness (commonly ~3mm/3m), moisture limits, preparation | Bowens; NZ: ≤75% RH (BRANZ) |
| Adhesive | Named system; moisture barrier where required | Adhesive maker's limits govern |
| Expansion | Perimeter and fixed-object gaps; trims | Per installation guidance |
| Finish | Raw + site finish (system, coats, sheen) or pre-finished | Slip data for stairs |
| Legality / certification | Documentation for the order; FSC/PEFC if required | Ask supplier per order |
| Maintenance | Care instructions in the O&M manual | Finish maker's guidance |
Product: species, grade, dimensions and construction
Name the species, the supplier's grade, the exact dimensions and whether the product is solid or engineered. "Oak flooring" alone isn't a specification.
- Grade. Appearance grades for European oak are set by producers and suppliers; they are not covered by AS 2796. Describe the grade (for example, Prime – the cleanest appearance grade, with even colour and minimal knots), and require samples to be approved and retained. See oak flooring grades.
- Dimensions and pattern. Specify block size and pattern together – for example, Timbo's Solid Oak Herringbone Parquet in 710 × 123 × 18mm or 820 × 123 × 18mm.
- Construction. Solid 18mm parquet can be sanded several times; engineered products depend on wear-layer thickness.
Performance: DoP, fire, slip and acoustics
Ask for the EN 14342 Declaration of Performance and check each declared characteristic against the project's requirements. The DoP covers characteristics such as reaction to fire, formaldehyde emission and slip (dataholz).
- Reaction to fire. Untreated solid parquet is typically D_fl-s1. In commercial and multi-residential buildings, the NCC sets fire hazard requirements for floor linings; the certifier or fire engineer decides what evidence is acceptable. See commercial oak flooring.
- Slip. Level internal floors are not generally mandated, but stair treads or nosings commonly need P3 (dry) / P4 (wet) under AS 4586, and the coating largely determines the result. See slip resistance for timber stairs.
- Acoustics. In apartments, the NCC sets impact sound requirements for floors separating sole-occupancy units, and many strata by-laws add their own. Hard floors need a tested acoustic system – specify the full build-up and require evidence.
Installation: moisture, substrate, adhesive
Most timber floor failures are moisture-related, so specify moisture limits for both the timber and the substrate.
- Timber MC. Install within about ±2% of the expected in-service EMC; Australian interiors typically range from about 8% to 14% EMC (WoodSolutions). Australian-made boards average 10–12% MC (ATFA); ask the supplier for MC at dispatch. See moisture content in timber flooring.
- Substrate. Commonly flat within about 3mm under a 3m straightedge; slab moisture within the adhesive maker's limits (NZ BRANZ guidance: ≤75% RH at the slab surface). See installing parquet over a concrete slab.
- Adhesive. Name the adhesive system and any moisture barrier. See adhesives and moisture barriers.
- Underfloor heating. If used, limit floor surface temperature (commonly about 27°C with a floor sensor) and confirm product suitability.
Sample specification clause
Adapt this clause to your project and the supplier's confirmed product data. It is a starting point, not a complete specification.
TIMBER FLOORING – SOLID OAK PARQUET
Product: Solid European oak parquet, herringbone pattern,
[710 / 820] x 123 x 18mm, tongue and groove.
Grade: Prime (supplier's appearance grade). Supply samples for
approval; installed floor to match approved samples.
Standards: Supply EN 14342 Declaration of Performance and product data.
Reaction to fire to meet [class / NCC requirement] –
evidence to be accepted by the certifier.
Moisture: Timber MC within ±2% of expected in-service EMC at
installation. Substrate moisture within adhesive
manufacturer's limits; record readings.
Substrate: Flatness within [3mm under 3m straightedge] or as
required by the adhesive manufacturer.
Installation: Full-spread adhesive [system name]; moisture barrier where
required. Set out from [centre line / datum] as drawn,
with [border detail]. Perimeter expansion per guidance.
Finish: [Raw – sand and apply [system], [n] coats, [sheen]] or
[Pre-finished – supplier's finish]. Stairs: coating system
with AS 4586 classification of [P3 / P4].
Acoustics: [Tested acoustic system / not applicable].
Legality: Supplier to provide documentation for the order
[and FSC/PEFC chain-of-custody claim if required].
Handover: Provide care and maintenance instructions.
For legality and certification wording, see illegal logging compliance and FSC and PEFC certification.
Sources
- dataholz – Wood flooring and parquet (EN 13226, EN 14342, reaction to fire): dataholz.eu
- ATFA / Floor Choices – Hardwood flooring grades: floorchoices.com.au
- ATFA – Specification for solid timber flooring: atfa.com.au
- WoodSolutions – Moisture guide: woodsolutions.com.au
- NATSPEC – DES 002 Moisture content in timber floors: natspec.com.au
- SlipTest – NCC slip-resistance requirements: sliptest.com.au
- Bowens – Hardwood timber flooring: bowens.com.au
- BRANZ – BU644 Solid timber strip flooring on a concrete slab: branz.co.nz
- Solid Wood Flooring Co – Underfloor heating: thesolidwoodflooringcompany.com
Frequently asked questions
Which standards apply to European oak parquet?
EN 13226 covers solid parquet elements with grooves and/or tongues, and EN 14342 is the harmonised standard for CE marking and the Declaration of Performance (reaction to fire, formaldehyde, slip and other characteristics) (dataholz).
What fire class is solid oak parquet?
Untreated solid parquet is typically D_fl-s1 under EN 13501-1. Whether that satisfies NCC fire hazard requirements for a given building class is for the certifier or fire engineer to confirm.
Can I specify European oak to AS 2796?
No. AS 2796 grades Australian hardwood species; it does not grade European oak (ATFA). Specify the supplier's grade (for example Prime) and require approved samples.
How should acoustics be handled in apartments?
The NCC sets impact sound requirements for floors between sole-occupancy units in apartment buildings, and strata by-laws may be stricter. Specify a tested acoustic system for the full floor build-up and get acoustic consultant sign-off.
What moisture content should oak flooring be installed at?
Within about ±2% of the expected in-service EMC for the building's location and use. Australian interiors typically sit between about 8% and 14% EMC (WoodSolutions).
Can Timbo provide a DoP and product data for a specification?
Ask Timbo for the documentation available for your project. Timbo provides product information and specifications to partners and specifiers, and will confirm what is available for each product.
Should I specify raw or pre-finished oak?
Raw oak finished on site gives a seamless, sealed surface and full control of colour and sheen; pre-finished avoids on-site coating time. Ask Timbo whether a batch is supplied raw or pre-finished.