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"The staircase is the first thing you see when you walk through the door. With Blackbutt's pale golden grain and the open waterfall design, we wanted to create something that would be memorable for generations — not just a floor, but a statement."— Mark Hutchison, Founder, Lifewood
Blackbutt Waterfall Staircase: A Perth Project Showcase
This stunning new home in Woodlands, Western Australia, features one of Lifewood's most striking project installations — a premium Blackbutt waterfall staircase combined with Blackbutt flooring throughout the first floor landing, activity area, and passageway.
The open tread, waterfall-style staircase construction creates a dramatic, floating appearance that highlights the natural beauty of Blackbutt's pale golden grain. Combined with the surrounding neutral tones of the home, the result is a timeless, elegant statement that will age beautifully for decades.
Interested in Blackbutt flooring or a custom staircase for your own home? Download our 2026 Price Guide to explore species, grades, and pricing.
Download 2026 Price GuideProject Specifications
| Location | Woodlands, Western Australia |
| Type of Job | Supply and installation — new home build |
| Product | Lifewood Blackbutt flooring, 180mm prefinished Stabilised Solid® |
| Coating | Satin finish — 9-layer UV-protective polyurethane |
| Areas Covered | Open tread waterfall staircase, first floor landing, activity area and passageway |
| Staircase Style | Open tread waterfall construction |
The Staircase: Making a Bold First Impression
The first thing every visitor sees when they step through the front door of this Woodlands home is the staircase. Using open treads and a waterfall style of construction, the design creates a sense of lightness and flow that immediately draws the eye upward.
The Blackbutt timber — with its pale honey-gold colour and subtle natural grain — adds warmth and balance to the surrounding neutral tones without dominating the space. It's a floor that makes a statement while remaining timelessly elegant.
The combination of Lifewood's prefinished 180mm boards and the precision craftsmanship of the staircase installation results in a feature piece that is as functional as it is beautiful.
Blackbutt Flooring: Warmth Across the First Floor
Beyond the staircase, Lifewood's Blackbutt flooring continues throughout the first floor landing, activity area, and passageway — creating a seamless flow of warm, natural timber through the home's most-used living zones.
The 180mm board width provides a modern, spacious feel that suits the open-plan layout of the home. The consistent pale golden tone of Blackbutt unifies the spaces, providing a calm and inviting backdrop for furniture, rugs, and interior styling.
Blackbutt's Janka hardness of 9.1kN makes it one of Australia's most durable hardwood floors — resistant to dents, scratches, and the wear of busy family life.
Open tread detail — Blackbutt 180mm prefinished
Waterfall staircase — natural grain of Blackbutt
First floor landing and passageway
Why Blackbutt is Australia's Leading Hardwood Floor
- Janka hardness 9.1kN — one of Australia's hardest native hardwoods, excellent for high-traffic areas and staircases
- Pale golden colour — works beautifully with neutral, Hamptons, coastal, and contemporary interiors
- Stable grain — straight, consistent grain means less visible movement and a clean, refined aesthetic
- Stabilised Solid® structure — Lifewood's patented design combines the look of solid timber with superior dimensional stability
- 9-layer UV-protective coating — prefinished in a controlled factory environment for lasting durability and scratch resistance
- Sustainably sourced — responsibly harvested Australian hardwood supporting local forestry
- Excellent for staircases — hardness, stability and aesthetic versatility make Blackbutt the number-one choice for open tread staircase installations
Lifewood's Stabilised Solid® — Only Available at Lifewood
All Lifewood floors are engineered using our patented Stabilised Solid® design. This unique structure combines the authentic look and feel of solid hardwood timber with an advanced engineered core — providing superior stability across all Australian climates and conditions.
Unlike standard solid timber, Stabilised Solid® floors resist cupping, gapping, and seasonal movement — making them particularly well-suited to Perth's warm, dry conditions and to staircase installations where dimensional consistency is critical.
The 9-layer UV-protective polyurethane satin finish is applied in a controlled factory environment, ensuring a consistently beautiful surface that is far more durable than site-finished alternatives.
Visit our Osborne Park showroom to see the full Blackbutt range in person and find the grade and width that suits your home.
Ready to Choose Your Perfect Timber Floor?
Visit the Lifewood showroom in Osborne Park to see our full Blackbutt range — open tread staircase samples, width options, and grades — and get a free quote for your new home or renovation project.
Download 2026 Price Guide Book an AppointmentVisit Our Showroom
See Blackbutt flooring and staircase samples in our award-winning Osborne Park showroom. Bring your house plan and our consultants will measure and quote on the spot.
Book an Appointment2026 Price Guide
Download Lifewood's comprehensive 2026 Price Guide for full Blackbutt species listings, grades, width options, and transparent supply-and-install pricing.
Download Price GuideFrequently Asked Questions: Blackbutt Flooring
What is Blackbutt timber flooring?
Blackbutt is an Australian hardwood native to eastern Australia. It features a pale golden-brown colour, straight grain, and a Janka hardness of 9.1kN — making it one of Australia's most durable and beautiful hardwood flooring species.
Is Blackbutt flooring suitable for staircases?
Yes — Blackbutt's high Janka hardness (9.1kN) and dimensional stability make it ideal for staircase installations. Its pale golden tone works beautifully in open tread waterfall designs, creating a dramatic and timeless statement in any home entry.
What is a waterfall staircase?
A waterfall staircase features open treads (no risers) where the timber appears to flow down the stair structure. This minimal, modern design maximises the visual impact of the timber's natural grain and colour.
What is Lifewood's Stabilised Solid® design?
Stabilised Solid® is Lifewood's patented flooring structure combining the authentic look of solid timber with an advanced engineered core. It provides superior dimensional stability — resisting cupping and seasonal movement — and is exclusively available through Lifewood.
How hard is Blackbutt compared to other Australian timbers?
Blackbutt has a Janka hardness of approximately 9.1kN, placing it in the top tier of Australian hardwoods. It is comparable to Spotted Gum and harder than many European species — excellent for high-traffic areas, hallways, and staircases.
What coating does Lifewood use on Blackbutt floors?
Lifewood's prefinished Blackbutt floors feature a 9-layer UV-protective polyurethane satin finish, applied in a controlled factory environment for consistent quality, durability, and scratch resistance.
How much does Blackbutt flooring cost in Perth?
Pricing varies by grade, width, and installation scope. Lifewood provides transparent pricing in their annual price guide. Download the 2026 Price Guide or visit the Osborne Park showroom for a free measure and quote.
Is Blackbutt flooring sustainable?
Yes — Blackbutt is responsibly harvested from sustainably managed forests. Lifewood sources its timber from suppliers committed to ethical forestry practices, supporting the Australian timber industry while protecting native ecosystems.
