# Specifying oak flooring – a checklist for architects and designers > A spec checklist for European oak flooring: species, grade, size, construction, EN 14342 DoP, fire class, slip, acoustics, moisture, substrate and finish. - URL: https://timbo.com.au/guides/specifying-oak-flooring-architects - 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 parquet is covered by EN 13226 (solid parquet elements) and CE marking under EN 14342 with a Declaration of Performance. - Untreated solid parquet is typically reaction-to-fire class D_fl-s1; coatings and build-up can change performance. - Under the NCC, stair treads or nosings commonly need P3 (dry) or P4 (wet) slip resistance under AS 4586. - Install timber within about ±2% of its expected in-service EMC; Australian interiors typically sit at 8–14% EMC. - AS 2796 grades Australian hardwoods only – specify European oak grade by the supplier's grade description and approved samples. ## 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](https://timbo.com.au/partners/designers-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](https://www.floorchoices.com.au/information-sheets/hardwood-flooring-grades/)) | | 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](https://www.dataholz.eu/en/building-materials/wood-flooring-and-parquet.htm) | | 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](https://sliptest.com.au/ncc-slip-resistance-requirements/) | | Acoustics | Tested system for apartments; by-law requirements | Acoustic consultant | | Moisture content | Within about ±2% of in-service EMC | [WoodSolutions](https://www.woodsolutions.com.au/timber-wiki/moisture-guide), [NATSPEC](https://www.natspec.com.au/images/TECHnotes/NTN-DES-002-Moisture-content-in-timber-floors.pdf) | | Substrate | Flatness (commonly ~3mm/3m), moisture limits, preparation | [Bowens](https://bowens.com.au/blog/hardwood-timber-flooring); NZ: ≤75% RH ([BRANZ](https://www.branz.co.nz/documents/4063/BU644_Solid_timber_strip_flooring_on_a_concrete_slab.pdf)) | | 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](https://timbo.com.au/guides/oak-flooring-grades). - **Dimensions and pattern.** Specify block size and pattern together – for example, Timbo's [Solid Oak Herringbone Parquet](https://timbo.com.au/products/f11-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](https://www.dataholz.eu/en/building-materials/wood-flooring-and-parquet.htm)). - **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](https://timbo.com.au/floorboards/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](https://timbo.com.au/guides/slip-resistance-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](https://www.woodsolutions.com.au/timber-wiki/moisture-guide)). Australian-made boards average 10–12% MC ([ATFA](https://www.atfa.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/ATFA-Specification-for-Solid-Timber-Flooring-FINAL-Oct-18-.pdf)); ask the supplier for MC at dispatch. See [moisture content in timber flooring](https://timbo.com.au/guides/moisture-content-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](https://timbo.com.au/guides/installing-parquet-over-concrete-slab). - **Adhesive.** Name the adhesive system and any moisture barrier. See [adhesives and moisture barriers](https://timbo.com.au/guides/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. ```text 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](https://timbo.com.au/guides/illegal-logging-compliance) and [FSC and PEFC certification](https://timbo.com.au/guides/fsc-pefc-certification). **See and feel the oak:** Free samples for trade partners and their clients. Tell us the product and where to send it. → https://timbo.com.au/samples ## Sources - dataholz – Wood flooring and parquet (EN 13226, EN 14342, reaction to fire): [dataholz.eu](https://www.dataholz.eu/en/building-materials/wood-flooring-and-parquet.htm) - ATFA / Floor Choices – Hardwood flooring grades: [floorchoices.com.au](https://www.floorchoices.com.au/information-sheets/hardwood-flooring-grades/) - ATFA – Specification for solid timber flooring: [atfa.com.au](https://www.atfa.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/ATFA-Specification-for-Solid-Timber-Flooring-FINAL-Oct-18-.pdf) - WoodSolutions – Moisture guide: [woodsolutions.com.au](https://www.woodsolutions.com.au/timber-wiki/moisture-guide) - NATSPEC – DES 002 Moisture content in timber floors: [natspec.com.au](https://www.natspec.com.au/images/TECHnotes/NTN-DES-002-Moisture-content-in-timber-floors.pdf) - SlipTest – NCC slip-resistance requirements: [sliptest.com.au](https://sliptest.com.au/ncc-slip-resistance-requirements/) - Bowens – Hardwood timber flooring: [bowens.com.au](https://bowens.com.au/blog/hardwood-timber-flooring) - BRANZ – BU644 Solid timber strip flooring on a concrete slab: [branz.co.nz](https://www.branz.co.nz/documents/4063/BU644_Solid_timber_strip_flooring_on_a_concrete_slab.pdf) - Solid Wood Flooring Co – Underfloor heating: [thesolidwoodflooringcompany.com](https://www.thesolidwoodflooringcompany.com/technical-article/underfloor-heating/) ## 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](https://www.dataholz.eu/en/building-materials/wood-flooring-and-parquet.htm)). ### 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](https://www.floorchoices.com.au/information-sheets/hardwood-flooring-grades/)). 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](https://www.woodsolutions.com.au/timber-wiki/moisture-guide)). ### 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. ## Related pages - [Specifying European oak parquet – for designers and architects](https://timbo.com.au/partners/designers-architects) – Interior designers and architects can specify Prime grade European solid oak herringbone and chevron with Timbo samples, specification data and partner supply. - [Commercial oak flooring for hospitality, retail and offices](https://timbo.com.au/floorboards/commercial-oak-flooring) – Solid European oak parquet for commercial interiors: hospitality, retail and offices. Finishes, fire reaction class, slip resistance and maintenance planning. - [Slip resistance for timber stairs (NCC & AS 4586)](https://timbo.com.au/guides/slip-resistance-timber-stairs) – How NCC slip-resistance rules apply to timber stair treads: P3 dry and P4 wet ratings under AS 4586, why the coating decides the result, and how to comply.