Timbo oak in Wellington
Timbo is appointing partners in Wellington. To be connected with a flooring business that can supply and install Prime grade European solid oak, email partnerships@timbo.com.au. Wellington flooring businesses can apply to become a partner; see how the program works for New Zealand partners.
All orders ship from our Melbourne warehouse, freight is quoted per order, prices are in NZD, and GST is 15%.
Wind, rain and the shady side of the hill
Wellington's climate is temperate, windy and changeable. Rain is spread through the year, winters are cool, and many houses sit on steep sites where one side gets little sun. That combination – shade, damp ground and cool air – is what decides how a timber floor performs, more than the temperature itself.
Wind actually helps ventilate exposed subfloors. The problem houses are the sheltered ones: tucked into a gully, with the uphill side of the crawl space dug into wet clay and the vents blocked.
What to check before laying oak:
- Ground vapour barrier. Polythene over the soil under a suspended floor cuts the moisture rising into the house.
- Clear subfloor vents on all sides.
- Drainage on the uphill side, so water isn't running under the house.
- Heating and ventilation inside – a heat pump and extractor fans keep indoor humidity steady.
Read the moisture content guide for target readings and testing.
Villas, bungalows and the hills
Wellington's character suburbs – Mount Victoria, Thorndon, Aro Valley, Newtown, Brooklyn, Island Bay – are dominated by timber villas and bungalows on piles. Most have rimu or matai floorboards, often with gaps and old repairs.
Laying solid parquet over these floors works well once the substrate is right:
| Existing floor | Typical preparation |
|---|---|
| Sound, flat boards | Fix down loose boards, sand flat, glue down parquet |
| Uneven or springy boards | Re-sheet with plywood before gluing |
| Old floor after re-piling or bracing | Wait until structural work is finished, then level |
Many Wellington homeowners are also doing earthquake strengthening – new piles, subfloor bracing, foundation work. Schedule the new floor after that work, not before.
Apartments and new homes on slab
Wellington's CBD, Te Aro and the city fringe have many apartments, and new townhouses are going up across the region. Apartment floors usually need body corporate approval and often an acoustic underlay. New homes are mostly on slab: about 92% of new New Zealand houses are built on concrete slab (ArchiPro NZ, citing BRANZ), and BRANZ guidance is that the slab surface should be at or below 75% relative humidity before solid timber goes down (BRANZ BU644). See timber flooring over a slab in NZ.
Consent and compliance
New floor coverings in an existing home don't usually need building consent, but structural changes – re-piling, new subfloor framing – may. Check with Wellington City Council or your builder. If your project involves imported timber questions, read about MPI import requirements for timber flooring.
Pattern choice for small villa rooms
Wellington villas tend to have long, narrow hallways and modest rooms, and apartments are often compact. Pattern can make a big difference:
- Herringbone 710mm is the classic proportion for a villa hallway; laid along its length it makes the space feel longer.
- Chevron gives a cleaner, more directional line in a modern apartment.
- Larger 820mm herringbone suits an open-plan extension where the rooms are bigger.
Your partner can order free samples so you can see each in your own light – useful in a house where one side gets very little sun.
Wellington flooring businesses
Timbo partners get wholesale pricing, free samples, product content and referred enquiries, and order from Melbourne stock with no container minimum. Non-exclusive, free to join. Start with our overview of European oak wood flooring in NZ.
Frequently asked questions
My hillside house is cold and damp. Can I still have solid oak?
Yes, but fix the damp first. Check the subfloor has a ground vapour barrier and clear ventilation, and that the house is heated and ventilated well enough to keep indoor humidity steady. Oak laid into a damp house will swell and move.
Do Wellington apartments allow parquet floors?
Many do, with body corporate approval. Body corporate rules often control hard floors because of noise to neighbours below, and may require an acoustic underlay. Get the requirement in writing before ordering.
Does earthquake strengthening affect my floor?
It can. Subfloor bracing, new piles or foundation work under a villa may lift or disturb the existing floor. Plan new oak flooring after structural work is complete.
Is there a Timbo partner in Wellington?
Timbo is appointing partners in Wellington. Email partnerships@timbo.com.au and Timbo will connect you with a flooring business that can quote your project.
How does European oak compare with rimu?
Rimu is a New Zealand native with a warm red-brown colour, common in older Wellington homes. European oak is paler and more even, and available in herringbone and chevron parquet. See oak vs rimu.