NFCC-National Flooring and Carpet Centre Nunawading — Flooring in Blackburn

Timber flooring installation costs $40–$80/m² for supply and install of engineered timber. Solid hardwood is $80–$150/m². Laminate/vinyl plank is $30–$60/m² installed. Carpet is $25–$80/m² installed. Tile flooring costs $45–$120/m² for labour plus tile cost.

Porcelain tile is the most durable and easiest to maintain — ideal for high-traffic areas and wet zones. Hybrid/SPC (Stone Polymer Composite) flooring is 100% waterproof, scratch-resistant, and excellent for families with pets. Solid hardwood is beautiful but requires more care and is not suitable for wet areas.

Engineered timber has a real hardwood veneer (2–6mm) over a plywood core. It's more dimensionally stable than solid hardwood — less prone to expansion and cupping in humid conditions. Solid hardwood is pure timber throughout and can be sanded and refinished many more times. Both look identical once installed.

Solid timber should not be used in bathrooms or laundries due to moisture sensitivity. Engineered timber can be used in kitchens with care. For bathrooms, laundries, and wet areas, use porcelain tile, vinyl plank, or hybrid/SPC flooring rated for wet areas.

Hybrid flooring (also called SPC or rigid core vinyl) combines a rigid stone-polymer core with a timber-look vinyl print layer. It's 100% waterproof, highly durable, comfortable underfoot, and click-lock for easy installation. It's become one of the most popular flooring choices in Australia for its combination of practicality and aesthetics.