Limn Residence Westmere – Oak Chambord Flooring Case Study

Architects: Cosgrove Goodwin

Flooring: Vienna Woods – Chateau Collection, Oak Chambord, 240mm wide plank, 2.2m lengths

Photography: Mark Scowan

A Private Westmere Oasis

In Auckland’s coastal suburb of Westmere, the Limn Residence by Cosgrove Goodwin sits as a refined, light-filled retreat. The home’s architectural language blends sculptural curves, finely detailed stonework, and considered sightlines, creating a sense of calm and connection to its surroundings. A smooth indoor-outdoor transition leads to a pool area, while interiors are bathed in an ever-changing play of natural light across the day.

At the heart of the palette is Vienna Woods’ Oak Chambord from the Chateau Collection – a 240mm wide plank in generous 2.2m lengths. The board’s soft, natural tone and subtle texture complement the home’s warm, modern aesthetic.

Chambord wide French Oak Flooring - Westmere - 18

Meeting E3 Compliance in the Kitchen

 

The kitchen and dining zones flow seamlessly to outdoor entertaining areas, and with that comes the question every architect must address – compliance with E3 Internal Moisture under the NZ Building Code.

Because Oak Chambord is an engineered timber with a lacquered finish, it can be used in kitchens when correctly detailed. Prefinished boards mean the wear layer is fully sealed before installation, limiting moisture ingress. The boards were installed over a laser-finished concrete slab with appropriate vapour control layers, satisfying both functional performance and compliance.

Chambord wide French Oak Flooring - Stairs
Chambord wide French Oak Flooring - Stairs

The Stairway Challenge – Slip Resistance and Optics

  1. Slip Resistance Compliance

    The local council required proof that the engineered timber used for stair cladding met the slip resistance requirements of AS/NZS 4586:2004.

    We provided a slip resistance test report showing a mean coefficient of friction of 0.62, well above the required minimum of 0.40 for horizontal pedestrian surfaces . This cleared the way for approval without the need for additional surface treatments.

  2. Optical Trip Hazard

    While compliant, timber stair cladding can sometimes appear visually indistinguishable from the adjacent flooring, creating an optical trip hazard—particularly with the bottom step.

    In this case, the lowest tread was blending too seamlessly into the hallway flooring. Options discussed included:

    • Introducing recessed LED strip lighting to the risers for visual contrast.

    • Integrating a fine metal strip into the nosing to catch light and define the edge.

    Both solutions maintain aesthetic integrity while improving safety.

 

Installation image - Chamboard in Westmere
Installation image - Chamboard in Westmere
Installation image - Chamboard in Westmere

Execution Under a Tight Timeline

This project ran to a demanding schedule. The pre-finished Chambord boards and perfectly level concrete subfloor allowed for rapid progress, with the entire flooring installation completed in under a week. The precision of the product meant minimal on-site adjustments and a clean, efficient workflow.

Chambord wide French Oak Flooring
Chambord wide French Oak Flooring

Cosgrove Goodwin’s Architectural Approach

Cosgrove Goodwin are known for their finely crafted, site-responsive homes. Their work often explores natural materiality, light manipulation, and spatial flow – all of which are evident in Limn Residence.

Here, their use of curved internal forms, a striking stone wall in the foyer, and perfectly framed views out to the pool exemplify their skill in blending structure with softness. The wide oak planks reinforce the home’s grounded feel while offering warmth and continuity through each space.

 

Chambord wide French Oak Flooring - Westmere

The Result

The combination of Cosgrove Goodwin’s architectural precision and Vienna Woods’ Oak Chambord flooring delivers a home that is both sophisticated and deeply liveable. Every room benefits from the floor’s timeless character, while practical considerations – from E3 compliance in wet-adjacent areas to stair safety – were resolved without compromise to the design.

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Sustainable and Compliant Oiled Timber Flooring in Whitford

This recently completed a project in Whitford, showcases a rich dark oiled timber flooring, named Pina (after the infamous cocktail) finished with hard wax oil. This case study delves into the technical aspects, sustainability, and compliance features of this installation, which makes it a notable reference for architectural and interior design professionals.  Pina is an option from The Distilled Collection, a range of timber floor options produced in Europe from slow-grown, FSC-certified Lithuanian Oak, finished to the highest standard.  The Distilled Collection carries a number of subtle superiorities such as dense, hard-wearing oak, longer-than-usual board lengths and unique grain patterns.

Product Overview

The selected oak flooring for the Whitford project is treated with hard-wax oil, enhancing the natural beauty and durability of the wood. Hard wax oils penetrate the wood, providing robust protection against wear and moisture, while maintaining the wood’s breathability. This treatment ensures a longer lifespan and easier maintenance compared to traditional finishes.

Benefits of Oiled Timber Flooring

An oiled floor can offer a number of benefits over alternatives, but the main considerations for the client were:

  1. Option to “tint” the colour of the floor through the oil maintenance process.  If a darker hue is desired, a tint can be added to the maintenance oil.
  2. The enhanced natural beauty.  People generally sense the look and feel of naturally oiled timber if given the option.
  3. Improved durability and longevity.  With the correct maintenance, oiled floors are known to last…. well…. centuries, however most alternative require a sanding and refinishing coat to extend the life.
  4. Eco-friendly and safe.  Hard wax oils are derived from plant oils and in this case the oil carries a zero VOC certification.

Read about the differences between oiled and lacquered floors here.

 

vienna_woods_maea

E3 Compliance of Oiled Timber Flooring 

Contrary to common belief, oiled floors can comply with the E3 Building Standard, which focuses on interior moisture management and surface finishes. The Whitford project demonstrates that with the correct application and maintenance, oiled timber floors meet these standards effectively, offering an alternative to the more common lacquered finishes. The project used the Parabond Parquet 440 adhesive, which plays a crucial role in compliance by acting as a moisture vapour barrier when used with a suitable primer, even on damp substrates.

Technical Specifications of Parabond Parquet 440 Adhesive

Parabond Parquet 440 is a high-performance adhesive designed for wood floors, providing an excellent bond and flexibility that accommodates natural wood movement. Notable characteristics include:

  1. Composition: Solvent-free, isocyanate-free, and phthalate-free hybrid polymer.
  2. VOC Emissions: Rated EC1plus for very low emissions, ensuring indoor air quality and compliance with stringent environmental standards.
  3. Suitability as a Vapour Barrier: When applied correctly, it acts as an effective moisture barrier, crucial for installations over concrete or where moisture might be a concern.

Sustainability Considerations

Both the engineered oak flooring and the Parabond Parquet 440 adhesive contribute to the project’s sustainability profile:

  1. Engineered Oak Flooring: Features a no-added-formaldehyde construction and an FSC certification, ensuring the wood is sourced from responsibly managed forests.
  2. Parabond Parquet 440 Adhesive: Carries a zero VOC rating and does not contain any carcinogenic, mutagenic, or reprotoxic substances. It is compliant with GEV-EMICODE EC1 Plus, indicating the lowest possible emission levels.

The Whitford project by Vienna Woods exemplifies how sustainable practices can be seamlessly integrated with technical excellence in modern flooring installations. By using materials like the FSC-certified engineered oak and eco-friendly adhesives such as Parabond Parquet 440, Vienna Woods not only meets regulatory compliance but also addresses the growing demand for environmentally responsible building materials.

Images // Jo Currie

You may be interested in these articles….

Why Choose an Oiled Timber Floor?

Oiled vs Lacquer Finish

The Different Finishes Available for Engineered Timber Flooring

See the Complete Distilled Collection

Wooden Floorboards in the Kitchen; What is E3 and How Does it Impact Your Project?

When planning to install wooden floorboards in your kitchen, it’s essential to understand New Zealand’s building regulations, particularly Clause E3 of the Building Code. This clause addresses internal moisture management, ensuring that building elements are protected against moisture-related issues. Recent updates to Clause E3 have implications for the use of timber flooring in areas like kitchens.

Understanding Clause E3 of the New Zealand Building Code

Clause E3, titled “Internal Moisture,” aims to prevent moisture accumulation that can lead to fungal growth, structural damage, and health hazards. It mandates that surfaces in wet areas be impervious and easily cleaned to maintain a healthy indoor environment.  See the NZ Building Performance page here….

Recent Updates to Clause E3 and Their Implications

In November 2020, Amendment 7 to Acceptable Solution E3/AS1 was introduced, with a transition period ending on 3 November 2021. This amendment reclassified dishwashers and washing machines as sanitary appliances and sinks as sanitary fixtures. Consequently, kitchens are now considered wet areas under the Building Code.  (Read what Master Builders have to say here.)

The key changes include:

  1. Flooring Requirements: Floors in areas containing sanitary fixtures or appliances must be impervious and easily cleaned. In open-plan spaces, this impervious surface must extend at least 1.5 meters from all sanitary fixtures and appliances.
  2. Material Restrictions: Traditional timber flooring requires a submission as an alternative solution.

Options for Using Wooden Floorboards in the Kitchen

Despite these changes, it’s still possible to use wooden floorboards in your kitchen by seeking an Alternative Solution. This involves demonstrating to the Building Consent Authority that the proposed flooring meets the performance requirements of Clause E3.

To support your application:

  1. Durable Coatings: Apply a suitable durable coating to seal the timber surface, ensuring it is impervious and easily cleaned.  For refinished timber flooring, the supplier should provide evidence of this.
  2. Proper Sealing: Ensure all joints and edges are properly sealed to prevent moisture ingress.
  3. Maintenance Plan: Provide a maintenance plan outlining regular inspections and upkeep to maintain the floor’s integrity.

While the recent updates to Clause E3 of the New Zealand Building Code have introduced stricter requirements for flooring in wet areas, including kitchens, wooden floorboards can still be used with proper planning and adherence to Alternative Solutions. By ensuring compliance with moisture management standards, you can enjoy the aesthetic appeal of timber flooring without compromising on safety or durability.

For more detailed information on the Building Code and its requirements, visit the Building Performance website.

At Vienna Woods we’ve helped many hundreds of professionals and home-owners with consented timber flooring in kitchens and laundries.  Got questions?  Need help?  Contact us here….

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Understanding Tolerances for Timber Flooring in New Zealand

Understanding tolerances in engineered timber flooring is crucial for both quality results and adherence to New Zealand building standards. Tolerances refer to the allowable variations in measurements and alignments during construction and installation processes. These guidelines ensure that while perfection might not always be attainable, the quality and integrity of the construction are maintained.

The Building Code

In New Zealand, the standards for timber flooring tolerances are well-defined. For instance, the NZS 3604:2011, a key standard for timber-framed buildings, outlines specific tolerances relevant to various aspects of construction, including timber quality and framing. This standard ensures that timber used in buildings, including flooring, meets certain criteria for dimensions and alignment to maintain structural integrity and aesthetic quality.

The Measures for “Flatness” of Overlay Flooring

Specifically, for timber flooring, tolerances include allowances for variations in dimensions, straightness, and levelness. These tolerances are critical to ensure that the flooring not only looks good but also performs well over time. For instance, there are set limits for how much a floor can deviate from being level or how straight the timber must be. These limits are measured in millimeters and are based on the length of the timber used.  Often the tolernces related to “flatness” are expressed by manufacturers of timber flooring.  These are usually represented as a tolerance of devation of 2 or 3mm over 2 or 3 meters.  However standards and tolerances do differ.

Tolerance Tables for Timber Flooring

The Building CodeHub’s “Tolerances tables – Build 184 (2021)” also provides comprehensive information on construction tolerances. It includes details on the permitted variations from given dimensions, the range of variation in maintaining a specified dimension, and variations from location or alignment. Adhering to these tolerances ensures that subsequent trades can achieve quality results and that the final construction meets the desired standards.

Tolerance Tables NZBC Wood Flooring

These tolerances are not just about the technical aspects of construction; they are also about the end-user experience. Floors that are not level or have significant variations can lead to discomfort and even safety issues. Therefore, understanding and applying these tolerances is not just a matter of regulatory compliance but also about delivering a product that meets the highest standards of quality and comfort.

For more detailed and specific information regarding the tolerances in timber flooring, professionals in the industry often refer to the NZS 3604:2011 standard and resources provided by Building CodeHub and BRANZ.

When it comes to engineered timber flooring in New Zealand, adhering to the set tolerances is key. These guidelines ensure that the flooring is not only aesthetically pleasing but also structurally sound and safe for use. By following these standards, builders and installers can provide quality flooring solutions that stand the test of time.

You may also be interested in the impact of E3 on using wood flooring in kitchens (read more here).

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The role of compliance documentation in ensuring the quality of engineered timber flooring

When shopping for engineered timber flooring, it is important to consider the quality of the product and whether it meets certain standards for performance and safety. One way to determine the quality of engineered timber flooring is by looking for compliance documentation, which is a set of documents that provide evidence that the product meets certain requirements or standards. 

There are several types of compliance documentation that are relevant to engineered timber flooring, including: 

 

  1. Product certification: This type of documentation certifies that the product has been tested and meets certain performance standards, such as strength, stability, and durability. This is typically provided by an independent testing organisation or a professional association. 
  2. Environmental certification: This type of documentation certifies that the product has been made in an environmentally responsible way, such as by using sustainable materials or energy-efficient manufacturing processes. This can be provided by organisations such as the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) or the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC). 
  3. Health and safety certification: This type of documentation certifies that the product is safe for use in the home and does not contain any harmful substances. This can be provided by organisations such as the California Air Resources Board (CARB) or the European Union’s E1 Emissions Standard. 

By looking for these types of compliance documentation, you can ensure that the engineered timber flooring you are considering is of high quality and meets certain standards for performance, environmental responsibility, and health and safety. This can give you peace of mind and help you make an informed purchase decision. 

To review our compliance documents, you can view these under our downloads section here.