It is the age-old dilemma when restoring or renovating your classic Australian home. When it comes to timber flooring, should you stick with the time-tested solid timber floorboards, or embrace the structured engineered timber?
For us here at Floor Decor, the style of your floorboard is more than just wood. It’s about heritage, performance, and what truly suits your property. If your property happens to be a gorgeous character-filled Victorian home, the choice becomes even more nuanced.
These grand old dames of Australian architecture demand a flooring solution that combines history with modernity. This guide will help you understand both options and decide what’s truly best for your Victorian treasure.
What is solid timber flooring?
Solid timber flooring is the original wood floor. Every single plank is milled from a single, continuous piece of natural hardwood. These boards are typically thick, measuring approximately 19mm. This flooring offers unparalleled structural integrity.
When you walk on a solid timber floor, you are walking on nature itself. The grain runs all the way through, giving it that unmistakable, deep-seated authenticity that so many Victorian home owners desire.
The pros of using solid timber
- Longevity: If properly maintained, these floors can last 75 to 100 years. This makes these floors an excellent generational investment.
- Refinishability: Since this wood is thick all the way through, it can be sanded and refinished multiple times. This ability to erase decades of wear and tear is an advantage.
- Authenticity: For a Victorian restoration, a solid timber floor complements the home’s period features.
The cons of using solid timber
- Moisture sensitivity: Being a single piece of wood, solid timber is highly susceptible to expansion and contraction when humidity and temperature fluctuate. In an older Victorian home, especially one with a raised subfloor, this movement can cause gaps, warping, or cupping.
- Installation difficulty and cost: Installation is complex, requiring expert nailing down onto a plywood or timber subfloor and usually demanding an acclimatisation period. The material and professional labour costs are typically the highest for both options.
What is engineered timber flooring?
Engineered timber is often misunderstood as laminate or synthetic, but this is far from the truth. It is a brilliant, layered product designed to maximise the beauty of real wood while minimising its vulnerabilities. An engineered plank consists of multiple layers bonded together.
The top layer is the same premium species seen in solid timber. This gives it its natural appearance. Beneath this are several layers of structural material glued together in a cross-grain pattern.
The pros of using engineered timber
- Stability: The construction of the plank makes it more stable and resistant to moisture and temperature changes. This is a massive benefit as Victorian homes often have slightly damp, uneven subfloors or are located in seasonal climates.
- Installation versatility: This flooring can be installed over a variety of subfloors and is compatible with underfloor heating.
- Cost effective: While prices vary based on various factors, engineered timber is generally more affordable than solid timber.
The cons of using engineered timber
- Limited refinishing: Engineered flooring has a shorter lifespan determined by the thickness of its top veneer. Their general lifespan is around 20 to 40 years.
- Perceived authenticity: Although the surface is real wood, some purists feel it lacks the depth of solid wood.
A comparison between the two
Here’s how the two flooring choices compare.
| Category |
Solid Timber |
Engineered Timber |
| Installation & Subflooring |
Requires a perfectly level, moisture-controlled subfloor. Must be nailed into place. Difficult to install over concrete unless a complex and costly timber-batten system is added. |
Can be installed as a floating floor over uneven concrete or existing subfloors. Highly adaptable and stable. |
| Longevity & Refinishing |
Can be sanded and refinished multiple times, allowing colour and texture changes. Offers exceptional long-term lifespan. |
High-quality engineered flooring lasts for decades but has limited refinishing potential. Once the veneer is sanded through, it must eventually be replaced. |
| Moisture & Climate Resistance |
Highly vulnerable to climate fluctuations. May shrink in dry winters and swell in humid summers, leading to gaps. |
Layered core construction makes it resistant to moisture-related movement. Performs well in unpredictable Australian weather. |
| Cost & Budget |
Higher upfront cost but a strong long-term investment due to its durability and refinishing potential. |
Lower material and installation costs. May need replacing in 30–40 years but offers a premium look at a more accessible price. |
Final thoughts
If you love the idea of keeping things authentic, building something that lasts for generations, and you’ve got the budget and a well-prepared subfloor, solid timber is hard to beat. It’s not just a flooring choice — it’s an investment in timeless beauty and quality that your family can enjoy for decades to come.
However, if your priorities lean towards dimensional stability, ease of installation, and budget flexibility, then engineered timber is the more intelligent, more practical choice.
In many modern Victorian renovations, the stability and versatility of engineered timber make it an intelligent flooring decision, allowing you to achieve an authentic look without inheriting the movement and moisture issues that have ruined the solid wood in older houses.
To make the right choice, always consult a professional who can assess your specific subfloor and environment. We’re here at Floor Decor to help you walk through every option, ensuring the floor you choose honours your home’s history while serving your future.
