The grandeur of genuine French oak flooring

New Zealand homes have for decades been predisposed to using native species for their timber flooring. Woods like kauri, rimu and matai were utilised extensively in the 20th century, and are commonly erroneously referred to as ‘hardwoods’, despite actually being relatively soft.

In spite of their endemic charm, our native timber species are simply not as durable as true hardwoods. While many floors with these timbers have lasted throughout last century, they simply aren’t the best option for longevity anymore – nowadays, it’s most common for New Zealand natives to be specified in older homes that are being extended as a way to ensure consistency throughout; they are rarely the timber of choice in many new builds.

That’s why hardwoods like oak are some of the most popular timber species specified in new builds. Oak’s hardness offers a durability unmatched in native species, and is generally considered ​​to be better for high-use areas or in family homes where it’s more impervious to dents and scratches.

Hurfords, one of New Zealand’s leading wholesale distributors of timber, is one of the country’s largest importers of genuine French oak – and it’s become such an integral part of its business that it recently released an entire range dedicated to it: the aptly named Genuine Oak flooring range.

Jerremy Clarke, manager of Hurfords, says the team were excited to bring this range to market earlier this year.

“It’s got a high quality of grade, whilst still appearing as a natural timber in combination with the length specifications to not make any areas be overrun by shorter boards,” says Jerremy. “It’s manufactured using genuine French oak, and a eucalypt plywood core, providing a very strong, stable substrate too.

“We also incorporate a seven-coat UV lacquer system, which elongates the life of the timber even further.”

Of course when it comes to timber flooring, it’s by no means all about the durability and functionality of the wood – equally as important is how it looks, as flooring is one of the most prominent features of a home.

Hurfords is acutely aware of this fact, and acted accordingly when the range was released: first, it offers three different floorboard sizes, each intended to cater for different room sizes and requirements. There are the more standard 190mmx12mm and 190mmx15mm sizes, as well as a wide board option, the 240mmx15mm – to provide for the expanding appetite for larger-format flooring options.

“The three different sizes are catered to the lower, mid- and high-end ranges respectively, so we’ve basically got a size and a matching price to fit most budgets,” says Jerremy.

The introduction of the wider 240mm board was a direct response to the changing market trends, he says.

“The standard 190mm plank fits most standard homes, but the market was increasingly making it clear that we needed to offer a wider board. When you’re dealing with homes that are 200 square metres and larger, a wider board is a really good option because it helps even smaller rooms seem larger and offers less visible joins improving a floors overall aesthetic.”

Hurfords also grades its larger planks to a higher degree than its smaller ones – making them look cleaner and with fewer knots and other imperfections.

Then there are the colours and stains that accompany the Genuine Oak range. In Hurford’s previous oak range – the predecessor to Genuine Oak – there were eight prefinished stain options. In the new and improved range, this has increased to 19.

“The new colours go across the spectrum, incorporating your traditional natural timber tones, right through to the darker tones, and everything in between,” says Jerremy. “ We've got a colour palette to fit most interior design aesthetics – and it can be finished on-site too, if the customer wants a custom stain, they can finish that in situ on site.”

And even more recently, following multiple requests, Hurford's now offers a Parquetry finish in the Genuine Oak range.

“A couple of months ago we started to offer a Genuine Oak Parquetry finish in our six most popular colours,” says Jerremy. “We were asked a lot by our customers over the years to provide this, as it’s a popular finish with premium oak floors.

“So we delivered.”

Learn more about Hurfords and its timber floor offerings.