Avoid The Pitfalls When Buying a Timber Floor
Three decades ago we built our reputation in sold timber flooring. Then in the late 90’s we experimented with engineered floors. Early results were mixed as engineered floors were not designed for Australian conditions and there were instances of delamination that created major headaches for some competitors. Then by a decade ago in 2010 we started to see much better floors emerging. Quality control has played a major role in this. At VCS Solid Timber Floors we now have over 300 flooring options and we have many floors in engineered options. Happily these are now available in grades as well so that the consumer has many more options when compared to what was previously available.
The average Australian Hardwood is twice as hard as the average US hardwood. Australian timbers grow in a tough climate and mature slowly. The timbers are dense. While not all local timbers are suitable for flooring, many are and their unique hardness makes them ideal floors to take the wear and tear of life.
So when using solid timber floors we recommend Australian hardwoods as well is a small number of imported timbers. There is an excellent colour range and you are certain to find something to suit most tastes.
Australian hardwoods may be installed directly onto concrete that has been primed with a purpose designed epoxy from an adhesive system such as Sika T55.
As long as the timber is 12mm in thickness or greater we have found this to be an excellent system.
Because they are so tough Australian timbers are generally prone to movement and it takes experience to know how to handle them correctly. At VCS we go through an extensive acclimatization process before conducting an installation [to minimize post installation movement] and we encourage all users to follow the same program. All timber expands on contracts as it is affected by changes in humidity but this can be minimized greatly.
VCS are committed to the supply of quality, environmentally responsible, proven, timber flooring products. Our timbers are sustainable.
Australian Range
- Aussie Reds
- Australian Chestnut
- Australian Oak
- Aussie Whites
- NSW Blackbutt
- WA Blackbutt
- Brushbox
- Golden Oak
- Ironbark [Grey]
- Jarrah
- Marri
- Karri
- Spotted Gum
- Stringybark
Check out our full size samples in the showroom
IMPORTED RANGE
Several Imported timbers, generally from Europe and the USA work well in Australia. It is important that timbers combine strength and stability. In this respect the two oak varieties being American Oak & French Oak perform very well locally. We are very impressed with the evenness of the French timber and always invite comment when you visit our showroom.
Imported Range
- American Oak
- French Oak
VCS are a West Australian Company supplying quality timber floors throughout WA. Make VCS Products your choice for quality timber flooring in Perth and throughout WA.
Beware of Bait and Switch
It is a sad fact of the industry that sometimes people are supplied a product that is inferior. For example a company offers a select grade floor but then supplies a lessor grade. Or else the contractor assures the client that they will apply a moisture barrier to the concrete surface and then simply uses a primer. It is important for the consumer to be informed when buying a timber floor. We have been to sites where the client thought that they had one floor when in fact they had a completely different timber. At VCS Solid Timber Floors we stick to the mill grading when it comes to timber and we supply systems for flooring that include a genuine moisture barrier under the floor.
In recent times we have been supplying genuine Hardwax oil products and the industry has seen the arrival of Hardwax style products that are reinforced with plastic. Sad but true. These products are not the same as OSMO, are not the same natural finish and do not have the same reparability. This is another example of where people have been caught out with poor quality which saves the contractor money but takes away the natural option from the client.
Ask Questions
We encourage all customers to be well informed. To ask questions and get the answers so that they get the floor that they think that they are going to get.