Here are 10 popular questions about Hardwood Flooring Sydney:

1. What are the pros and cons of hardwood flooring?
2. What are the different types of hardwood flooring?
3. How much does hardwood flooring cost in Sydney?
4. Is hardwood or laminate better?
5. What is engineered hardwood flooring?
6. How long does hardwood flooring last?
7. What is the best hardwood flooring for pets?
8. How to clean and maintain hardwood floors?
9. Should I refinish or replace old hardwood floors?
10. Who are the top hardwood flooring companies in Sydney?
11. List Hardwood Flooring Sydney?

What are the pros and cons of hardwood flooring?

Hardwood flooring has become an increasingly popular choice for homes due to its attractive appearance and durability. Here are some of the key pros and cons to consider when deciding on hardwood flooring:

Pros:

• Aesthetically pleasing – Hardwood comes in a variety of colors and grain patterns to match any style.
• Durable – Hardwood can last 50-100 years with proper care and maintenance. The dense wood resists scratches, dents and moisture.
• Easy to clean – Hardwood flooring can be easily swept and mopped regularly.
• Good investment – Quality hardwood flooring increases resale value of homes.
• Environmentally friendly – Hardwood is a natural material that is renewable and sustainable.

Cons:

• Expensive – Hardwood is one of the most expensive flooring options, especially solid hardwood planks. Cost varies by type and species.
• Can dent and scratch – Hardwood is durable but not impervious to damage from heavy impacts, furniture legs, pet claws, etc.
• Regular maintenance – Needs to be routinely cleaned and occasionally refinished to look its best.
• Not good with moisture – Excessive water and humidity can cause hardwood planks to expand, cup or warp.
• Difficult installation – Hardwood flooring installation is labor intensive and may require an experienced contractor.

What are the different types of hardwood flooring?

There are a few main types of hardwood flooring to choose from, each with their own characteristics and price points:

• Solid Hardwood – Made of planks milled from a single piece of timber. Most expensive option but most durable and can be sanded and refinished many times.
• Engineered Hardwood – Has a thin veneer of solid wood on top bonded to plywood below. More stable and affordable option good for moisture-prone areas. Can be refinished to a limit.
• Laminate – Engineered wood flooring with a laminate layer for appearance. Most affordable option but cannot be refinished.
• Bamboo – Technically a grass but bamboo flooring has a look and feel similar to hardwood. Made from sustainable, renewable bamboo stalks. Dents easier than traditional hardwood.
• Cork – Natural flooring material made from renewable cork oak trees. Softer than hardwood and provides warmth and sound absorption. Limit on refinishing.
• Exotics – Luxury hardwood options like Brazilian cherry, tigerwood, mahogany, etc. Very durable and beautiful but more expensive.

How much does hardwood flooring cost in Sydney?

The cost of hardwood flooring in Sydney can vary greatly depending on the type of wood, quality, size of the area and who installs it. Here is an overview of average hardwood flooring costs per square meter installed:

• Basic Pine Flooring – $80 to $150 per sqm
• Standard Hardwood (Spotted Gum, Sydney Blue Gum) – $150 to $250 per sqm
• Premium & Exotic Timbers (Jarrah, Merbau) – $250 to $500 per sqm
• Engineered Flooring – $100 to $200 per sqm
• Laminate Flooring – $50 to $100 per sqm
• Bamboo Flooring – $90 to $180 per sqm

The total project cost is also affected by subfloor preparation, installation charges and any customisations like borders or inlays. Many Sydney retailers offer free quotes for your specific flooring project. On average expect to pay $2,000 to $5,000 for quality hardwood flooring installed in a standard 20-30 sqm living area or bedroom.

Is hardwood or laminate better?

Hardwood and laminate flooring both have their merits, here is a comparison overview:

Hardwood advantages:

• Genuine solid wood with natural beauty, grain patterns and color variations
• More durable and scuffs/scratches can be sanded out
• Retains value well and increases home resale price
• Can last over 100 years with proper maintenance
• Available in a diverse range of timber species

Laminate advantages:

• Much more affordable, often half the price of hardwood
• Good DIY installation option that clicks together easily
• More scratch resistant with ultra-durable top layer
• Stain resistant and easy to clean
• Wide variety of styles mimicking real hardwood look

Key differences:

• Hardwood can be refinished, laminate cannot
• Laminate is made from fused synthetic materials
• Hardwood swells from moisture, laminate is more water-resistant
• Hardwood comes from natural timber, laminate has repetitive patterns

Our recommendation: Hardwood is the superior material given its longevity and retention of value. But laminate is a great budget-friendly alternative, especially in high-traffic areas prone to spills, messes from kids/pets.

What is engineered hardwood flooring?

Engineered hardwood flooring has become popular as an alternative to solid wood planks. It offers greater stability and easier installation, while retaining the beauty of real wood. Here’s an overview:

• Engineered hardwood consists of multiple layers of plywood or high-density fiberboard as the core.
• The top layer is a thin veneer of solid hardwood, usually 3-7mm thick. This provides the natural wood look and feel.
• The cross-layered plywood core makes engineered flooring more resistant to moisture and allows for easier installation.
• It can be nailed or glued down to plywood subfloors, even concrete slabs in some cases.
• Prefinished engineered hardwood comes ready to install with a durable aluminum oxide coating.
• While engineered wood can be refinished, it cannot be sanded down as many times as solid hardwood before exposing the core.
• It provides a beautiful wood look at a lower cost than solid planks. The material costs and installation labor are less.
• Popular options for the top veneer include oak, walnut, mahogany, ash and exotic woods.
• Overall, engineered hardwood is a great option for basements, condos and anywhere moisture and temperature fluctuations are a concern.

How long does hardwood flooring last?

With proper care and maintenance, hardwood floors can last anywhere from 50 to over 100 years. The lifespan depends on several factors:

• Quality of wood – Better quality timber from oak, maple, ash, etc. will be more durable than cheaper softwoods.
• Grade of floors – Higher grades have fewer imperfections and knots. Clear grades offer greatest longevity.
• Installation method – Proper installation is key. Floors nailed down tend to last longer than glue-down.
• Amount of use – High-traffic commercial areas or homes with pets and kids will require more frequent refinishing.
• Care and maintenance – Refinishing as needed and avoiding excess moisture prolongs lifespan.
• Thickness of planks – Thicker solid wood planks can be sanded down more times before replacing.
• Environment – Extreme humidity, sunlight, temperature swings impact longevity.

With routine care, most high-quality hardwood floors will last 60-80 years in a home before needing full replacement. Refinishing hardwood floors every 5-10 years will ensure they continue looking beautiful and fully enhance the value of your home.

What is the best hardwood flooring for pets?

When choosing hardwood floors for homes with pets, some types stand up better than others to scratches, odor and stains. Here are our top recommendations:

• Red and White Oak – Very durable against scratches with tight grain patterns. Withstands pets well.
• Maple – Light color hides stains. Hard Canadian maple is ideal for active houses with pets.
• Bamboo – Resilient and scratch-resistant. Made from resilient grass so claws don’t dent as easily.
• Hickory – Extremely hard and durable. Long-lasting in pet households. Distinctive grain patterns.
• Laminate – Affordable option for pets as synthetic finish resists stains, odors. Just have to replace planks if scratched.
• Exotics like Brazilian Walnut – Very hard and almost scratch proof but expensive. Withstands busy households with pets.

No matter the wood type, make sure to keep nails trimmed and clean accidents immediately. Consider adding area rugs in high traffic areas to reduce wear and tear. Apply pet-safe finish periodically to refresh hardwood in homes with pets.

How to clean and maintain hardwood floors?

Keeping hardwood floors looking like new requires some simple cleaning habits and routine maintenance:

• Vacuum or sweep regularly with soft brush attachment to remove dust and debris.
• Mop floors 1-2 times per week with hardwood cleaner and microfiber mop. Avoid excessive water.
• Wipe spills immediately to avoid stains, warping boards.
• Use felt pads under furniture legs and appliances to prevent scratches.
• Avoid shoes indoors and high heels that can dent hardwood.
• Rearrange rugs occasionally so floor ages evenly.
• Trim pet nails to minimize scratches and gouges.
• Apply hardwood polish 2-3 times per year to protect finish.
• Reapply protective coatings like polyurethane as needed, typically every 3-5 years in residential settings depending upon floor wear.
• Run humidifiers to maintain 40-50% humidity level in the home.

With proper care, hardwood flooring can stay looking new for decades. Refinishing or replacing worn planks can rejuvenate your floors.

Should I refinish or replace old hardwood floors?

When old hardwood floors look worn, discolored or damaged, homeowners face the decision of refinishing vs replacing them. Here are some factors to consider:

When to refinish:

• If hardwood is in generally good condition with no structural damage
• If surface is flawed from minor scratches, small gaps between boards, or fading finish
• If there are only minor color variations, minimal cupping/warping of planks
• If floor has never been refinished or if it has been at least 5 years
• If homeowner prefers keeping the existing flooring for cost savings

When to replace:

• If boards are badly warped, cracked or have widespread pet urine stains
• If there are large gaps between boards or floor feels spongy and unstable
• If floor has been refinished multiple times and is too thin to sand again
• If hardwood flooring is low quality, is not real wood or laminate over particle board
• If homeowner wants to completely change color or style of floors

Our recommendation is typically to refinish if possible for environmental and cost reasons. But replacement is sometimes the better option for extensively damaged floors or when you want to change the look entirely with new wood species, colors or wider planks.

Who are the top hardwood flooring companies in Sydney?

Sydney has an abundance of stores and contractors offering high-quality hardwood flooring installation and service. Here are some of the top reviewed companies in Sydney:

• Sydney Hardwood Flooring – Family owned business operating for over 15 years across Sydney. Install solid and engineered hardwood floors.
• The Hardwood Floor Company – Specialists in custom design and installation of durable timber floors. Services across Sydney.
• Elegant Hardwood Floors – Known for premium Australian hardwood flooring supply and install at affordable pricing.
• Craftwood Floors – Diverse range of quality timber flooring options. Handle small and large-scale projects.
• Sydney & Suburbs Flooring – Trusted timber flooring experts providing excellent service since 1998. NSW license holder.
• Premier Wood Floors – Supplies and installs a wide variety of solid and engineered timber flooring options across Sydney.
• Prime Timber Floors – Family-owned company offering quality floor installations. Known for oak, spotted gum and Sydney blue gum.
• Westside Timber Flooring – Installs beautiful recycled and new timber flooring in homes across Sydney at competitive rates.
• Hurstville Timber Flooring – Reliable timber floor specialists with over 30 years experience serving homeowners in Sydney.

Key Takeaways:

• Hardwood flooring adds beauty and value to homes with its natural wood look and durability. There are various types from solid planks to engineered options.
• Prices range widely based on wood species and quality. Expect to pay $2000-$5000 for installed hardwood in a standard room.
• Hardwood is superior to laminate, but laminate is more affordable. Engineered hardwood is ideal where moisture is a concern.
• Proper care like regular cleaning/polishing and moisture prevention will allow hardwood floors to last over 60 years.
• For homes with pets, oak, hickory, maple and bamboo are good durable options that withstand scratches.
• Sydney has flooring specialists like Sydney Hardwood Flooring that provide quality installation and service of timber floors.

In summary, hardwood floors are a timeless, beautiful addition to any home. With a quality installation, routine maintenance and proper care, timber floors can remain in excellent condition and enhance your home’s resale value for decades. Reputable companies like those listed make choosing hardwood floors in Sydney easy and worry-free.

Checkout Timber Flooring Sydney too.