How to Care for Timber Flooring in Your Home

Which cleaning products are best for the type of flooring you have in your home or want to install in the future? The right cleaning products depend on the make-up of your flooring. Learn more with the guide from Geelong Tiles & Bathware.

Engineered timber flooring should be cleaned using a damp mop Build: VAND Builders Design: Holman Design + Mel Wilson Interiors Image: Nic Stephens

Engineered Timber Floors

Engineered timber is a luxurious and long-lasting option for flooring.

As it's made of layers of timber veneer with a plywood base, it offers precision and durability when compared with laminate flooring. The veneer gives smoothness and elegance, while the plywood provides resistance to water and longevity.

Using species such as European Oak or Australian varietals, the boards are pre-finished and come in a variety of colours to choose from. Timber flooring can be vulnerable to scratches, so be quick to sweep away debris and stones. A dustpan is fine for spot-cleaning, but it's advisable to sweep the entire floor with a microfibre mop or vacuum every week.

Engineered timber should be cleaned with a spray mop. Wood is inherently prone to water damage, it's critical to prevent it from getting too wet. Use a gentle, pH-neutral detergent with a spray mop for best results.

Cleaning vinyl flooring is easy thanks to its composition

Vinyl Flooring

Vinyl flooring is made up of multiple layers of different materials, crushed together to create a water-resistant and long-lasting floor covering. Not only is it cost-effective and aesthetically versatile, but it's relatively easy to keep clean, too.

For example, vinyl flooring is easier to clean than engineered timber. In contrast to engineered hardwoods, which warp if exposed to frequent sprays of water, vinyl flooring is resistant to moisture.

Vinyl allows for a wider range of cleaning chemicals. You can use a solution of vinegar diluted in water, whereas this kind of wash would risk destroying the finish of engineered timber flooring. However, it's still best to avoid bleach, ammonia or wax cleaners on vinyl flooring.

Hybrid flooring is a versatile and durable option with easy maintenance

Hybrid Flooring

Hybrid flooring is made up of layers that serve different purposes, from durability to decoration to waterproofing, making it a versatile and durable option.

Because hybrid flooring is waterproof, basic cleaning is as simple as using water and a pH-neutral cleanser. Just use a damp mop, sponge or cloth. Avoid scratching or damaging the floors with nylon scouring pads, harsh chemicals or waxes, or a steam mop.

If your hybrid flooring doesn't need to be mopped, brushing or vacuuming is enough to remove the debris and dust.

Visit Geelong Tiles & Bathware to explore our extensive range of timber flooring Build: Vault Construction Management

Explore our extensive range of timber flooring options by visiting the showroom or booking a timber selection.

Do I Need Engineered Timber, Vinyl, Hybrid, or Laminate Flooring?

Four of the most popular flooring materials are engineered timber, vinyl and hybrid flooring, and laminate flooring. While the final look of all three is similar, the feel, function, durability, and price of each is very different. Let's take a look!

Everwood Oak Large Board in ‘Manilla’ Build: VAND Builders Design: Holman Designs + Mel Wilson Interiors Image: Nic Stephens

What is Engineered Timber Flooring?

Engineered timber is a luxurious, durable flooring material used for projects that demand perfection or longevity. Engineered timber planks are made by placing a layer of timber veneer on top of a plywood base. The plywood ensures durability, while the veneer top is smooth, beautiful, and available in various thicknesses. What’s more, this flooring material is strong and much more moisture resistant than solid timber.

Installing engineered timber usually requires a professional. They install it plank by plank using a stick-down method and can have it completed in as little as a day or two. 

The most common types of timber used in engineered planks include European Oak and Australian species such as Blackbutt and Spotted Gum. The boards are pre-finished and come in a variety of lengths and widths.

Savannah Vinyl Flooring

What is Vinyl and Hybrid Flooring?

Vinyl and hybrid flooring are extremely durable materials ideal for areas with heavy foot traffic both in the home and commercial settings.

Vinyl and hybrid planks are constructed very similarly. The only difference between the two is the composition of the core; vinyl planks are made solely from PVC, while hybrid planks add stone to create a much stronger, rigid core.

Both vinyl and hybrid planks have the look and feel of timber, but they are 100% waterproof, hard-wearing, scratch-resistant, and require no maintenance. 

Available in entry-level to high-end luxury ranges, vinyl and hybrid flooring can suit any budget. These flooring options suit those who want the timber look at a competitive price and with greater convenience.  

Vinyl and hybrid are also easy to install. Vinyl planks are glued down with a special pressure sensitive adhesive, while hybrid planks come with a click system and are installed floating. Installation is usually completed in a day or two. 

Lamskin Laminate Flooring

What is Laminate Flooring?

Laminate flooring has a medium-density fibreboard (MDF) base, topped with an image layer, and finished with a transparent wear layer. It is very inexpensive and a good choice if your floors are subject to a lot of wear and tear. Laminate flooring, however, is not water-resistant and should not be used in areas with a lot of moisture. 

Laminate planks are installed as floating floors, which means that the floorboards connect to each other but not the subfloor. Like hybrid flooring, they have a click system design that enables easy installation. 

Which Flooring Option is Right for Me?

Geelong Tiles & Bathware is a proud supplier of engineered timber, vinyl, hybrid, and laminate flooring. Our team will help you select the best material for your needs and provide an accurate quote. Explore our extensive range of timber flooring options by visiting the showroom at 17 West Fyans Street, Newtown.

The Beauty of Parquetry

An art that dates back to 16th century France, parquetry flooring has been described by some as the superior flooring choice. Versatile, timeless, and equally contemporary, parquetry flooring pays homage to history and creates a sense of grandeur with every application.

Seen in various patterns and forms, traditional parquetry flooring was formed with individual wood blocks in varying sizes and colours laid in different geometric patterns. Although mostly featured in grand European palaces and chateaux, more and more people are opting to add personality to their homes with parquetry flooring.   

Timeless design

From parquet de Versailles, to chevron and herringbone patterns, the timelessness of parquetry flooring makes it suitable for any style of home. From elaborate estates, to minimalist apartments, and country farmhouses, parquetry has the ability to elevate any space, bringing with it beauty and a sense of warmth.

Arguably one of the most popular parquetry designs today, the herringbone pattern creates a real statement. Our customers love our Everwood European Oak Provincial Parquetry herringbone flooring range, and it has brought us so much joy to see this timeless art form feature in their homes.

Everwood European Oak Provincial Parquetry in ‘Hickory’

Parquetry through the eyes of new technology

While natural timber is the preferred source for parquetry flooring, advances in technology have allowed for tile manufacturers to explore the beauty of the craft by creating tiled alternatives. And boy have they nailed it.

With the appearance and texture of genuine timber, you would be mistaken thinking these creations are the real deal. What makes porcelain parquetry-look tiles even more incredible, is the durability they will serve in your home or commercial fitout. You won’t need to worry about scratching, staining, or the need to sand-back – they’re porcelain and basically maintenance free.

Chevron porcelain parquetry tiles

The right parquetry for you

Whether you want to keep it traditional and natural, or low-maintenance and porcelain, we have the right style of parquetry flooring to suit you and your project. Visit our showroom for more inspiration and guidance – we’re here to make your design dreams a reality.

Creating the Heart of the Home

One of the greatest pleasures working at a store like GT&B is being part of the process in creating incredible spaces in people’s homes. We are so spoilt for choice these days that we can create many different and unique rooms. And for us, one of the most rewarding spaces in the home to create is the kitchen.

This year we have seen some fabulous creations by many talented designers and builders from our region. Our customers are daring to be different, and these risks are truly paying off. With the thousands of products we have on display, our design team is loving working closely on these projects, bringing together all the elements to create an amazing kitchen tailored to each individual style.

If you are in the market for tapware and sinks, you may know that it’s all about colour. Granite sinks are growing in popularity and black and white variations are leading the way. These are often paired with brushed brass and, more recently, matte white tapware. In saying that, matte black sinks and tapware are still here to stay and are often used in both modern and period style homes.

Not only are the fixtures and fittings important when designing a kitchen, choosing your floor covering is just as important. The kitchen is the centre of most homes where the living, dining, and entry ways all lead to, and one of the most popular coverings we see customers using is engineered timber flooring. Our European Oak flooring range has been a stand-out collection for our clients’ main living and kitchen areas. With a wide variety of colours, it really is the go-to product for most homes.

As for the kitchen splashback? Marble has been the tile of choice this season. Hues of green, pink, orange, nero, Atlantic grey, and New York marble options are available in a wide range of shapes and sizes. From popsicle shapes to broken shards of marble, the options are endless. What’s better, you aren’t limited to their application either. Think outside the box and tile your rangehood, counter-top, under-bench, or feature wall for a dramatic showpiece.  

Second to the marble mosaic is the classic subway tile. Ever-evolving, this product keeps re-emerging in new size formats and spectacular colours and textures. Many ranges have high variation in colour which adds a raw and rustic look and translates into a relaxed and natural feel.

So, if you are currently creating your dream kitchen, identify your style and have our design team help you bring this vision to life. We love helping clients realise their dreams, so now is the time to create a memorable and beautiful kitchen you can enjoy with friends and family (when we’re all allowed to!).

Melinda Skoko
*As seen in the GT Magazine