Is engineered timber flooring suitable for NZ homes?

Yes. Engineered timber is widely used in New Zealand because its layered construction helps reduce seasonal movement compared with solid timber. Correct acclimatisation, moisture checks, and the right installation method still matter.

How long does engineered timber flooring last?

Lifespan depends on wear layer thickness, board construction, finish system, and maintenance. A well-specified engineered timber floor can perform for decades in residential settings.

Can engineered timber flooring be sanded and refinished?

Often, yes, depending on the thickness of the real timber wear layer. If refinishing matters for your project, choose a product designed with a suitable wear layer and follow manufacturer guidance.

Light Natural Tones Archives - Page 4 of 4

European Oak Floors // Wings House // Borrmeister Architects

The Wings House project, completed in 2017 by Borrmeister Architects. A project thatshowcases European oak floors that add warmth and character to a stunning modernist design. Located in NZ, this home combines sleek architecture with natural materials. It achieves a unique balance between sophistication and comfort.

Crafted from high-quality European oak, the flooring complements the clean lines and open spaces of the house, grounding the modernist aesthetic in warmth and timeless appeal.

Why European Oak Floors Were Chosen

European oak floors were an ideal choice for Wings House, offering durability and a rich, smoky warmth that perfectly complements modernist style. Unlike other hardwoods, European oak brings a subtle texture and color variation that enhances any space, while its natural grains create an inviting atmosphere throughout the home. This oak’s timeless look aligns with the architects’ vision of a home that feels relevant today and in the future.

Key features of European oak floors for Wings House:

Warm, smoky tones that blend seamlessly with modern architecture
Durability to withstand everyday life while maintaining a high-end look
Subtle natural grains that enhance the minimalist aesthetic

Timber Flooring and Modernist Style: A Lasting Combination

Timber floors have an enduring place in modernist design, and Wings House exemplifies this perfectly. The European oak floors add a layer of richness to the clean, geometric forms of the home. With open spaces and expansive windows, the oak flooring draws in natural light, creating an atmosphere that feels both luxurious and comfortable.

European oak floors offer a timeless look that ages gracefully, complementing both contemporary and classic elements in any home. For Wings House, the flooring choice was more than just aesthetics – it’s an investment in longevity, style, and value.

Architect and Photographer Collaboration

This home, designed by Borrmeister Architects, came to life with the keen eye of photographer Sarah Rowlands. The natural tones of the European oak floors were beautifully captured, showing how the material and design work harmoniously to create a lasting impression.

Through the thoughtful selection of European oak, Wings House stands as an example of how natural timber flooring can enhance and even define a space. The timeless quality of oak flooring not only anchors the design but adds value, ensuring that this home remains a modernist icon for years to come.

European oak floors elevate the look and feel of Wings House, proving that quality timber is always in style. Whether you’re drawn to modernist design or simply love natural materials, oak flooring brings warmth, texture, and beauty that lasts.

Photos: Sarah Rowlands Photography

Design: Borrmeister Architects

Natural Oak Floors in Mt Eden

Natural oak floors anchor the design of this beautiful Mt Eden villa renovation, giving it a fresh, modern feel. Step inside to admire the elegance of these wooden floors in the kitchen, dining area, hallway, and entrance. The Supernatural timber used in longer lengths elongates the hallway, adding depth and sophistication.

Key Design Highlights with Natural Oak Floors

Seamless Flow: Brass detailing elegantly transitions between the carpeted bedrooms and tiled bathroom.
Light Tone: The soft, light oak floors enhance the brightness, complementing a range of wooden furniture.
Modern Touch: A modern aesthetic brings character to the kitchen and dining spaces.

Working with the homeowners on this project was a pleasure. Their vision and our natural oak floors created a timeless, beautifully transformed villa. The owners couldn’t be happier with the stunning result.

Product: Vienna Woods // Oak Supernatural

Builder: Team Salamander

Images: @markscowen_photography

Vienna Woods Project Consultant: damon@viennawoods.co.nz

Modern Villa with Timber Floors and Ceiling

Vienna Woods customer Dan Szczepanski, share’s his experience working with Vienna Woods and the reasons behind why he chose to renovate his home with Esther American Oak Pureline both on his floors and ceilings.

What was your inspiration when designing your home?

Our home is a villa in a ‘special character area’ street, however we didn’t want a villa so we knew when undertaking the renovations that we wanted to make certain changes that would remove the villa aesthetic from our home. Controversial we know – but we wanted something more modern. We were inspired by the Scandinavian look and feel and how that would suit a more open plan lifestyle. We have a 3.3m stud on the main floor and although we have worked hard to erase all traces of the villa interior, we wanted to make the most of the ceilings and retain some character. So we decided to install timber on both the floor and ceilings. It brings in a lot of warmth as it offsets the start white and black of the modern elements of the interior. It also makes our ceiling look even higher, which is an added bonus!

What was the overall look and feel you were trying to achieve?

While we wanted a modern look, we didn’t want anything to severe that some homes can get when a lot of white and black is used in the interior spaces. So it was important to incorporate beautiful timber in order to warm it up. The timber floors and ceilings break up the clean, crisp white really nicely and complement the overall look and feel. Adding timber to our ceilings also created a very interesting feature as it adds a lot of character to our home.

Why did you choose this Vienna Woods flooring?

The Vienna Range is second to none. The quality is prevalent in all their different ranges. We loved the Esther American Oak Pureline because of how it complemented the rest of our interior and really delivered the warmth we were looking for. The timber was also very competitive in terms of buildability and price. The staff are all very personable and made us feel at ease the moment we engaged with them. Their assistance made it really easy to make our decision.

Engineered Timber Flooring: Vienna Woods /// Oak Pureline

See Another Home Using Pureline

Sophistication with Smoked Oak Seta

Another beautifully executed flooring project for some of our Remuera customers.

Here the timber used is Vienna Woods Oak Smoked Seta – a very popular floor from renowned Austrian manufacturer Admonter, featuring rich brown and grey tones.

This floor compliments the elegant contemporary interiors of this fine home.

This product is Vienna Woods // Admonter // Oak Seta

A light and natural family home

Another successful flooring project in partnership with the amazing Box Build.

Here the timber used is Vienna Woods Oak London – a soft, lighter timber that achieves a stunning Scandi look in this home. It is hardwearing, making it perfect for entertaining and safe for the kids to run wild indoors.

Flooded with natural light and complemented with sleek contemporary interiors, this open plan home exudes a welcoming and comfortable environment that is suitable for a busy family life or hosting a group of friends.

Enigneered Timber Flooring: Vienna Woods /// Oak London