Prefinished Engineered Timber Flooring
Genuine Australian hardwood on a stable engineered plywood core, factory finished in a satin coating and ready to install.
Australian Hardwood
14mm
136mm & 180mm
1830mm
Group 3
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About Prefinished Engineered Timber Flooring
Big River Prefinished Engineered Timber Flooring – our New Generation range – brings the warmth and character of Australian hardwood together with the stability of an engineered core. Each board has a 3mm lamella of genuine Australian hardwood laid up onto a cross-laminated Eucalyptus hardwood plywood core. Drawing on Big River’s long history in plywood manufacturing, the result is a floor that is dimensionally stable and an environmentally sustainable choice.
The range features two of Australia’s most popular flooring species. Blackbutt offers pale brown tones and a clean, classic look, while Spotted Gum ranges from light brown to light reddish brown with a distinctive grain and a Janka hardness of 11kN. For those who want more character, Australian Chestnut – a blend of feature grade Blackbutt and Spotted Gum – is available in the 136mm board. Boards are supplied in 136mm and 180mm widths at 1830mm long.
Every board is factory finished in a smooth satin coating. The 136mm range is coated with Bona Traffic, a commercial grade water-based polyurethane, while the 180mm range carries seven coats of Klumpp water-based finish with aluminium oxide. Because the coating is applied in the factory, there is no on-site sanding, coating or drying time, helping trades move through the job faster.
Installation is flexible. Big River recommends direct sticking to the sub-floor with a moisture-cured polyurethane or MS adhesive for the most stable result and a solid feel underfoot, like traditional solid strip flooring. The boards can also be floated over a Big River recommended underlay, with the tongue and groove glued using a class D3 adhesive. Suitable substrates include concrete slabs, particleboard, and existing tiles, vinyl or timber floors when prepared correctly. The T&G profile is end matched and micro-bevelled on all four sides for tight, clean joints.
Grading for Blackbutt and Spotted Gum is loosely based on Standard & Better, embracing the natural colour variation, gum veins and features that make every Australian hardwood floor unique. The product also meets the E1 emissions standard.
Backed by a lifetime warranty against warping, buckling and bond failure, a 20 year residential warranty & 10 year commercial finish warranty, Big River Prefinished Engineered Timber Flooring is a premium, long-term choice for new homes, renovations and fit-outs.
Available Finishes
Technical Specifications & Variants
Full Specifications
| Material: | 3mm Australian hardwood lamella on cross-laminated Eucalyptus hardwood plywood core (Spruce balancing lamella on 136mm board) |
| Thickness: | 14mm (3mm hardwood lamella) |
| Widths: | 136mm, 180mm |
| Lengths: | 1830mm |
| Fire Rating: | Group 3. Contact Big River for the fire certification document and confirm suitability with a fire engineer. |
| Surface Finish: | Satin smooth, factory finished. 136mm: Bona Traffic water-based polyurethane. 180mm: 7 coats Klumpp water-based, sheen level 30 +/- 2, aluminium oxide. |
| Moisture Resistance: | Not moisture resistant - for internal dry areas. Water damage is excluded from warranty. Concrete sub-floor moisture must not exceed 70% RH (hygrometer) or 5.5% (electrical resistance meter). |
| Warranty: | Lifetime limited warranty against warping, buckling or bond failure | 20 year limited residential & 10 year commercial finish warranty |
| Tolerance: | Manufactured to accepted industry standards permitting a defect tolerance of no more than 5%. Allow 5% cutting and grading allowance (up to 10% on complex layouts). |
| Adhesives: | Direct stick: moisture-cured polyurethane or MS adhesive, 4mm V-notch trowel, minimum 80% coverage. Floating: class D3 (crosslinking PVA) adhesive in side and end T&G joints. |
| Formaldehyde Emission: | E1 emissions |
| Profile: | T&G, end matched, 4 sides micro-bevelled |
| Janka Hardness: | Blackbutt 9.1kN | Spotted Gum 11kN |
Where to Use Prefinished Engineered Timber Flooring
Residential Living Areas
Prefinished Engineered Timber Flooring is a natural fit for living rooms, dining areas, bedrooms and open-plan kitchens in new homes. The satin finish highlights the colour, grain and feature of Blackbutt and Spotted Gum, while the cross-laminated ply core keeps the floor stable through seasonal changes in humidity. Direct sticking to a concrete slab gives a solid feel underfoot, without the drummy sound of a floating floor.
Renovations
Boards can be floated over a recommended underlay, the range suits renovations over existing tiles, vinyl or timber floors that are stable and properly adhered. Factory finishing means there is no sanding, coating or fumes on site, so the floor can be laid with minimal disruption. Existing timber floors should be run across or overlaid with fixed bracing ply before installation.
Downloads & Documentation
Frequently Asked Questions
Should the floor be direct stuck or floated?
Big River recommends direct sticking to the sub-floor using a moisture-cured polyurethane or MS adhesive. A direct stuck floor moves less, allows neater expansion detailing and feels solid underfoot like traditional solid strip flooring. The boards can also be installed as a floating floor over a Big River recommended underlay, with a class D3 adhesive in the side and end T&G joints and each room compartmentalised. Secret nailing of any type is not permitted and will void the warranty.
Can it be installed over existing tiles or timber floors?
Yes. The flooring can be floated over existing tiles or vinyl, provided the existing floor is stable and properly adhered. If any material underneath delaminates from the sub-floor, the warranty is void. Over existing solid strip timber, run the new boards across the existing boards, or fix bracing ply over the top first.
What sub-floor preparation is required for concrete slabs?
The slab must be flat, with no depressions deeper than 3mm under a 3 metre straight edge – grind and fill with a levelling compound where needed. Moisture content must not exceed 70% relative humidity (hygrometer) or 5.5% (electrical resistance meter); above this, a moisture or vapour barrier system must be used. Big River does not accept claims resulting from inadequate sub-floor preparation.
How do I clean and maintain the floor?
Sweep or vacuum regularly using a hard surface setting, and mop weekly with a well wrung-out mop and LobaCare Cleaner. Never use steam mops, wax, oil-based detergents or general household cleaners. Use felt pads under furniture, natural fibre mats at entries, and LobaCare ParkettCare to refresh high-traffic areas. Following a recommended maintenance program is a condition of the finish warranty.
Is colour variation between boards normal?
Yes. Australian hardwood naturally varies in colour, grain and feature, and this is not a grading issue or a warranty matter. Open several packs and mix boards before laying so variation is spread across the floor, and show the owner the expected range. Inspect all boards before installation – no claims are accepted for visible defects in material that has been laid.
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