Everything you need to know before buying, selling, or installing
ATFA: "Board construction varies significantly between products. The cross-laminated core reduces width movement from moisture changes — the more layers, the more stable the board."
Each layer is bonded at 90° to the one below. The grain directions fight each other — so the board can't expand freely. More layers = more restraint = less movement in Australian humidity swings.
When the core species matches the face lamella (e.g. all-oak construction), both layers respond identically to moisture. ATFA recognises this as superior stability. Sell it at a premium.
| CORE | PLY | DIRECT STICK | MAX WIDTH | KEY RISK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9–12 Ply Multiply | 9–12 | ✓ YES | 220mm+ | None — best option |
| 7-Ply Multiply | 7 | ✓ YES | 200mm | Low with correct adhesive |
| 5-Ply Multiply | 5 | ⚠ MIN | 180mm | Acceptable — minimum only |
| 3-Ply / Stave core | 3 | ✗ FLOAT | — | Telegraphing, delamination under glue stress |
| HDF Core | — | ✗ NEVER | — | Swells permanently — no moisture recovery |
| MDF / Composite / Fiberboard | — | ✗ NEVER | — | Do not stock under any circumstances |
ATFA: "Veneers are typically up to about 2mm thick while a lamella is thicker and often 2.5mm to 6mm. Those with thin veneers will not be able to be sanded back to bare timber without risk of penetrating into the base."
Stronger grain structure. Less prone to surface checking. The right way to make a quality lamella. This is what you want.
REQUEST THISCheaper to produce. Creates "lathe checks" — micro-cracks that telegraph through the finish, especially in low humidity. Common in budget Chinese product.
AVOID"This is a real timber floor. The difference is it has a defined life — when the surface wears, you replace the floor rather than sand it back. Great value for a 10–15 year product. You just need to know that upfront."
| THICKNESS | SANDING LIFE | FLOOR LIFE | SELL AS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 2mm | None | ≈10 yr | Only with written client briefing |
| 2mm | 1 very light sand | 10–15 yr | Budget & volume builds |
| 3mm | Full sand + recoat | 15–25 yr | Main range — standard offer |
| 4mm+ | 2–3 sands over life | 25+ yr | Premium tier — higher margin |
ATFA: "The coating is done in a controlled environment with UV curing. Many products include fillers, sealers, and final coats with additives such as aluminium oxide for wear resistance."
How many coats?
7 minimum for UV lacquer. Under 5 = reject. Ask for the specific number — not "multi-coat."
What lacquer brand?
Known brands: Bona, Rubio, Woca, Loba. Unknown brand = budget product with no track record.
Aluminium oxide?
Adds hardness. Good for high traffic. But if scratched white, it stands out. Know what the product contains.
ATFA: "The T&G profile is used for direct adhesive fix applications. Note that some T&G is only designed for direct adhesive fixing." The joint system determines what you can and cannot do with the product.
Your primary product is T&G for direct stick. It's the cleanest install — no click mechanism fighting the adhesive while you're positioning the board. If a supplier shows you a 5G product, ask for the technical data sheet that explicitly approves glue-down before you commit to stock.
Test every job. Document every reading. A written moisture record protects you from every warranty dispute.
Use MS Polymer flexible adhesive only. Recommended brands: Sika Bond T55, Bostik UltraSet HP, Mapei Ultrabond. Never use water-based adhesive — it introduces moisture and breaks down over time. ATFA: use of other glue types will void manufacturer warranty.
ATFA: "Engineered flooring will expand under wet conditions and shrink under dry conditions — but less than solid timber. Every site and in-service environment must be assessed."
HVAC must be fully operational before installation begins. Do not lay in an unoccupied, uncontrolled building. Acclimatise boards on-site for 48–72 hours minimum before laying.
The adhesive restrains the board. In a humidity swing, the board tries to move but can't — stress goes into the face. This causes surface checking in low RH and join delamination in high RH. Core quality is everything.
Every failure has a specific cause. Knowing them protects you in warranty disputes — and helps you spec the right product for the right job.
Every step in order, every time. Skipping any one of these is how a warranty claim starts.
Confirm HVAC is running and house is climate-controlled. Check room temperature is stable. Assess subfloor type — concrete, Hebel, or structural board. Do not proceed in an unoccupied building without climate control.
Concrete: Tramex meter ≤ 5.5% MC. In-situ RH probe ≤ 75% RH. Structural ply: timber meter 10–14% MC. Hebel: Tramex meter ≤ 5.5%. Document every reading. Date, location, reading. This is your warranty protection.
Maximum 3mm over 3 metres. Use a long straight edge across multiple directions. Any high spots: grind or plane. Any low spots: self-levelling compound. Don't rely on the adhesive to fill subfloor irregularities — it won't.
Concrete: clean, free of dust, paint, oil, or any contamination. Apply moisture barrier on ground-level slabs. Hebel: prime with compatible primer before adhesive. Yellow tongue: overlay with F17 ply if direct sticking.
Bring packs into the room. Do not open near doors or windows with drafts. Leave flat — do not stand packs on end. Minimum 48–72 hours. ATFA: "flooring is designed to perform in an environmentally controlled structure."
Use MS Polymer flexible adhesive only. Apply with correct notch trowel: 3mm for Hebel, 4–6mm V-notch for concrete. Work in manageable sections — do not let adhesive skin before boards are placed. Water-based adhesive is never acceptable for direct stick timber.
Maintain expansion gaps at all fixed edges, columns, and thresholds (minimum 10mm or per manufacturer spec). Blend boards from multiple packs to avoid colour banding. Weight hollow areas while adhesive cures.
Allow full adhesive cure before foot traffic — typically 24–48 hours. Fit cover strips and trims. Clean surface with correct timber floor cleaner. Hand to client with care & maintenance guide. Do not wet-mop a newly installed floor during the cure period.
Sika Bond T55 · Bostik UltraSet HP · Mapei Ultrabond Eco. All MS Polymer. Confirm the product's TDS lists the specific floor being installed. For Hebel, call the adhesive manufacturer's technical line before the job — get it in writing.
When a supplier walks in, this is what you ask. If they can't answer any of these, the product is not ready for your floor.
Consistent lamella thickness. Certified ply count. Known lacquer brands (7–9 coats). E0/E1 certified. Usually has local AU distributor backing the warranty.
Highly variable. Some factories supply European brands under private label. Assess the factory — not the flag. Always measure lamella. Always get certificate. Always confirm AU warranty holder.
Simple rules for your team. If a product doesn't meet these, it doesn't go on the floor.
| # | RULE |
|---|---|
| 1 | Test moisture before laying — concrete ≤ 5.5% MC / structural ply 10–14% MC |
| 2 | Check flatness — 3mm over 3 metres. Grind or level before laying. |
| 3 | Apply moisture barrier on all ground-level concrete slabs — always |
| 4 | Prime Hebel before adhesive. Use 3mm notch trowel only on Hebel. |
| 5 | MS Polymer flexible adhesive only — never water-based |
| 6 | HVAC running before install. Acclimatise boards 48–72 hours on site. |
| 7 | Document MC and RH readings on every job — written record = warranty protection |
"Our boards have 9 layers of cross-bonded ply underneath. That's what stops gapping, cupping, and failure when your air-con runs all summer. The 3mm wear layer means it can be sanded and recoated — it's a 25-year floor, not a 10-year floor."