Timber & environmental sustainability

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Timber is arguably the most environmentally responsible of all building products. It is natural, renewable, sustainable and most importantly, a solution to many environmental challenges. Australian forests are protected by strict Federal and State controls and regulations ensuring that there is a healthy balance between long term conservation and sustainable forestry management. This demonstrates a long term commitment to Australian forestry, deemed in 2005 to be the only Australian carbon positive industry. Australian public nature conservation reserves, locked away for future generations, are nearly two and a half times larger than production forestry, demonstrating Australia’s commitment to long term sustainability. For further information on timber and its sustainability credentials, ask your timber reseller for the Building a Sustainable Future brochure or visit www.holisticflooring.com.au

Timber & environmental sustainability

Step one
Select a hardwood timber species from a broad range of Australian species from light browns to deep reds.

Step two
Select a timber grade from a variety of subtle, moderate or highly featured timbers details.

Step three
Choose a board width from a range of widths in each flooring product..

Step four
Select a flooring product from the quality range of solid or engineered flooring, or outdoor decking.. The choice of flooring product is closely related to the installation method.

Step five
Select an installation method in combination with the choice of flooring product. 23 for the appropriate installation methods for each product.

Beautiful Australian species

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Holistic Timber has access to some of the most sought after native Australian hardwood timber species on the market. From the blondes of Blackbutt, Stringybark and Messmate and the unique grain features of Spotted Gum, Tallowwood and Australian Beech to the rich reds of Sydney Blue Gum and Red Mahogany and the beautiful pink blushes of New England Oak and Flooded (Rose) Gum, the broad colors palette of timbers available from Holistic Timber will suit any interior. The natural colors variation found in hardwood timber is one of its most appealing attributes. It is recommended that large samples of the species be viewed in a timber flooring showroom when deciding on the species for a new timber floor. The species samples shown here are indicative only and do not necessarily show the colors variation that can be naturally found in each species. Call Holistic Timber on 1300550629 or visit www.holisticflooring.com.au

Species Hardness Ratings Species hardness is measured in Janka numbers - the higher the harder the species

Species	Janka rate	Species	Janka rate
Tasmanian oak	4.9	Sydney Blue Gum	9
New England	6	Karri	9
American oak	6	Forest Reds	9
Australian Beech	7.1	Rose Gum	9
Messmate	7.1	Blackbutt	9.1
Flooded (rose)	7.5	Brushbox	9.5
River Reds	7.5	New England Blackbutt	9.5
Stringybark	8	Spotted Gum	11
Northern Beech Species	8	Red Mahogany	12
Jarrah	8.5	Red Gum	12
Tallowwood	8.6	Turpentine	12
Cherry Mahogany	8.8	Red Ironbark	14
Pearl Mahogany	8.8	Ironbark	14
Grey Ironbark	14	Grey Gum	14
Grey Box	15	Hevea	5
Kempas	7.6	Merbau	8.6
Nyotah	5.3

The mountain range

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There has been a strong movement towards lighter colored species over recent years as design and architecture leans towards open plan living spaces. This means that homes in Australia are being designed with larger expanses of flooring than ever before and these expanses are aesthetically more pleasing in lighter tones, such as those in the Mountain Range.

New England Oak
embodies the subtle, natural visual aesthetic of this classic Australian landscape. New England Oak tone varies from soft yellows and pinks to pinkish browns. The texture is medium and even, with a variable grain and prominent growth rings. Janka* rating 6.0

Australian Beech
is a beautiful combination of highland as those in the Mountain Range. Timbers, carefully selected to create a unique colors that ranges from pale brown and golden hues to a light cream with a slightly pink tint. These tonal variations found in Australian Beech are one of its sought-after features. Janka* rating 7.1

Flooded (Rose)
Gum is highly prized for its unique, subtle rose tones that vary from pale pink to soft reds and red browns. Flooded Gum is ideal for luxurious domestic applications that require a rich but gentle aesthetic. It has a straight grain, an even texture and the occasional, natural scribble pattern. Janka* rating 7.5

Stringybark
Stringybark is a blend of eucalyptus varieties native to various areas of New South Wales. The texture of Stringybark is moderately fine and even with a straight grain. It is a light colored blend ranging from pale yellow through to golden hues and light browns. Janka* rating 8.0

Messmate
Messmate is a well-known hardwood species that has been used in a variety of applications for decades. It varies in colors from pale browns through to light yellows with subtle hints of peach. It is a species that is rich in detail with an even texture and beautiful growth rings. Janka* rating 7.1 There has been a strong movement towards lighter colored species over recent years as design and architecture leans towards open plan living spaces. This means that homes in Australia are being designed with larger expanses of flooring than ever before and these expanses are aesthetically more pleasing in lighter tones, such as those in the Mountain Range.

Tallowwood
Tallowwood is a prestigious timber that is sought after by architects. It is an exceptionally durable hardwood species with unique colors and grain structure. It is predominately yellowish brown with a tinge of olive green and beautiful growth rings. Janka* rating 8.6

Tasmanian
Tasmanian Oak is a combination of three Eucalypt species commonly found in Tasmania. Together they produce a blend of beautiful coloring from pale cream to pink and reddish brown. Tasmanian Oak logs are quarter sawn to produce an extremely straight and even grain. Janka* rating 4.9

Brushbox
Brushbox has long been sought after for its unique properties and aesthetic qualities. It has a fine and even texture with beautiful, rich colors. It can vary from pale pinkish grey to rich reddish brown. Janka* rating 9.5

Ironbark
Ironbark produces a stunning array of timber hues from pale brown to dark chocolate brown as well as dark red. The grain is usually interlocked, with a moderately coarse texture. Janka* rating 14.0

River Reds
River Reds is pale pink to soft red brown with straight grain and a moderately coarse and even texture. It is commonly used for outdoor applications such as decking and fencing. Janka* rating 7.5

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Sydney Blue Gum
Sydney Blue Gum is a well-known timber found on the east coast of Australia. It has a straight grain that is sometimes interlocked. Its distinctive colors varies from soft pinks to dark pinks and red browns. Janka* rating 9.0

Forest Reds
Forest Reds is a blend of medium to large hardwoods harvested from the coastal regions. Timber colors ranging from pale pinks to deep rich reds, which when blended in flooring, give a particularly warm, luxurious appearance. Janka* rating 9.0

Red Mahogany
Red Mahogany is an extremely dense hardwood species, with stunning pale to deep, dark red coloring. Its density and rare coloring have made it a prestigious timber species that is highly sought after. It is a species that lends itself well to good, consistent grading for a uniform look. Red Mahogany represents a good alternative to Jarrah which has become more difficult to source. Janka* rating 12.0

Jarrah
Jarrah is one of the few commercial species from Western Australia. Jarrah is renowned world-wide for its density, resistance to insect attack and beautiful rich red colors which deepens over time into a soft burgundy. Jarrah’s beautiful coloring and exceptional hardness are a perfect combination for commercial and residential flooring. Janka* rating 8.5 * Hardness

Rose Gum
Rose Gum Eucalyptus saligna Colors: often mid to light red brown Dominant features: Hobnail Species of similar colors: Red Gum, Bloodwood, and Flooded Gum Density: 850 kg/m3 Janka Hardness: 9.0 above ground durability class 2

Red Ironbark
Red Ironbark Eucalyptus crebra (narrow-leaved), Eucalyptus fibrosa (broad-leaved) Colors: often dark brown to dark red brown Dominant features: Holes Species of similar colors: Grey Gum Density: 1120 kg/m3 Janka Hardness: 14.0 above ground durability class 1

Grey Gum Eucalyptus
Grey Gum Eucalyptus propinquity Colors: often red brown with paler sapwood Dominant features: Pinhole borer Species of similar colour: Red Ironbark Density: 1080 kg/m3 Janka Hardness: 14.0 Above ground durability class 1

Cherry Mahogany
Cherry Mahogany Corymbia gummier Colors: often medium to deep red Dominant features: Gum vein Species of similar colour: Red Gum, Blue Gum Density: 900 kg/m3 Janka Hardness: 8.8 Above ground durability class 1

Red Gum
Grey Ironbark Eucalyptus tereticornis Colour: often deep red with paler sapwood Dominant features: gum vein Species of similar colour: Blue Gum, Bloodwood and Red Mahogany Density: 1050 kg/m3 Janka Hardness: 12.0 Above ground durability class 1

Grey Ironbark
Eucalyptus paniculata Colour: often mid to dark brown and red brown Dominant
features: Holes Species of similar colour: Grey Box Density: 1120 kg/m3 Janka Hardness: 14.0 Above ground durability class 1

Spotted Gum
Spotted Gum Corymbia maculata Colour: often mid brown with light sapwood Dominant features: Gum vein Density: 950 kg/m3 Species of similar colour: n/a Janka Hardness: 11.0 Above ground durability class 1

Turpentine
Turpentine Syncarpia glomulifera Colour: often mid brown with pink tones Dominant features: n/a Species of similar colour: Brush Box Density: 930 kg/m3 Janka Hardness: 12.0 Above ground durability class 1

Blackbutt
Blackbutt Eucalyptus pilularis Colour: often straw to pale brown Dominant features: Gum vein & Pinhole borer Species of similar colour: Northern Beech and New England Blackbutt Density: 900 kg/m3 Janka Hardness: 9.1 Above ground durability class 1

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Mahogany
Mahogany Eucalyptus laevopinea (silver-top), Eucalyptus eugenioides (white) Colour: often pale brown with pinkish tones Dominant features: Gum vein and Pinhole Species of similar colour: n/a Density: 860 kg/m3 Janka Hardness: 8.8 Above ground durability class 3

New England Blackbutt
New England Blackbutt Eucalyptus andrewsii Colour: often straw to pale brown Dominant features: Gum vein and Pinhole borer Species of similar colour: Northern Beech and Blackbutt Density: 930 kg/m3 Janka Hardness: 9.5 Above ground durability class 1

Grey Box
Grey Box Eucalyptus microcarpa (including Steel Box Eucalyptus rummeryi) Colour: often mid brown with paler tones Dominant features: Holes & Surface checks Species of similar colour: Grey Ironbark Density: 1120 kg/m3 Janka Hardness: 15.0 Above ground durability class 1

Northern Beech
Northern Beech Species Colour: often straw to straw brown Dominant features: Gum vein and Pinhole Species of similar colour: Blackbutt and New England Blackbutt Density: 800 - 1000 kg/m3 Janka Hardness: 8.0 to 10.0 Above ground durability class 3 to 1

American Oak
American Oak Look & Features Large distinctive growth rings, some medullary rays may be present Botanical Name Quercus Alba Colour Golden honey browns, some boards can have hints of soft pink tones Dry Density 750kg/m3 Natural Durability 4 janka hardness: 6.0 natural features. The low levels of natural feature present the floor with a uniform look that is best suited to modern, minimalist styles. Australiana grade

Australian Grade
Australian Grade is carefully graded to include the most interesting and moderate natural features to enhance the look of a timber floor.

Natural grade
Natural Grade is Holistic Timber’s rustic grade displaying a high level of natural features. This grade offers a unique, aged look with extenuated natural features and is well suited to both commercial interiors and traditional decors. Holistic Silk wood engineered hardwood flooring natural grade may contain some finish imperfections.

Timber is a natural (hygroscopic) material. For this reason, solid timber floors may need to be natural features. The low levels of natural feature present the floor with a uniform look that is best environment before installation. In the home, various conditions such as heaters, air conditioning or direct Holistic can affect the moisture content of the floor. Holistic Silk wood engineered hardwood flooring does not require acclimatisation.

Underlays
Underlays provide floor leveling, cushioning and acoustic properties. Holistic Timber has a variety of quality underlays, such as Holistic RV-4 Acoustic Underlay and Holistic Silk wood Underlay that can be installed with a solid or engineered timber floor to provide a range of quality flooring solutions

Flooring maintenance tips a timber floor represents a long-term investment. With proper care and maintenance a hardwood timber floor should continue to look good and wear well for many years.

• Use dirt trapping mats at all exterior doors to minimize dirt, sand and grit. Sweep regularly.
• Fit protective pads to the legs of chairs and tables so floors don’t get scuffed. If you have furniture with castors use barrel castors rather than ball castors.
• Move rugs from time to time and protect the floor from direct sunlight.
• Avoid high heeled shoes which can dent the floor’s surface. Floor cleaning tips
• Regularly vacuum, with a soft bristle head or an electrostatic attachment, or sweep with an electrostatic mop.
• For stubborn dirt, damp-mop the floor using a well rung mop. The use of a pH neutral floor cleaner can help remove stubborn dirt (use as per manufacturer’s instructions).
• Never clean a floor with common household detergents, polishes, steel wool pads, wax or similar produces with castors use never use Mentholated Spirits or Kerosene, as any type of petroleum distillate will degrade the coating and irreversibly dull the floor. Only use a pH neutral floor cleaner as per manufacturer’s instructions.
• Use only quality lint free floor mops and thoroughly wash new mops to remove any lint.
• Over wetting a floor when mopping or cleaning can change the moisture balance and cause a floor to expand, which may result in cupping. Ensure that the mops and cloths are well wrung.
• Steam mops are not recommended for cleaning timber floors. Steam (moisture) is forced into the joints of the timber and any small incisions, breaks or cracks on the timber floor surface resulting in unusual reactions in the timber such as cupping. The heat from the steam mop could also cause damaged to the coating on the floor.

Decking
Decking When hardwood decking is exposed to the elements it will naturally turn a soft silver-grey. To preserve the color of the timber species and improve the life of the deck, apply a decking finish to the exposed surfaces. Reapply according to the manufacturer’s instructions. After installation, the deck must be swept and cleaned to remove metal filings from drilling, nailing or other construction that may cause black spots on the deck when exposed to the elements. If the deck has turned grey from natural weathering or has been discolored due to metal filings, a solution of oxalic acid crystals mixed with water will help bring it back to its original beauty

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