What is Blackbutt Timber Flooring

Overview

Blackbutt timber flooring is one of Australia’s most popular hardwood flooring choices, prized for its natural golden tones, exceptional durability, and local provenance. Responsibly sourced and crafted with sustainability in mind, Blackbutt not only enhances your space with warm, natural beauty but also delivers long-lasting performance ideal for both residential and commercial settings.

In this guide, you’ll discover a comprehensive overview of Blackbutt timber flooring — including its origins, aesthetic qualities, and available product options — to help you decide if it’s the perfect flooring solution for your home.

What is Blackbutt Timber?

Blackbutt is a native Australian hardwood, part of the Eucalyptus genus (commonly known as Eucalyptus pilularis). It is prized for its pale cream to golden honey colour and consistent grain pattern. Blackbutt trees primarily grow in the coastal regions of New South Wales and Queensland. The name “Blackbutt” refers to the distinctive darkened base of the tree’s trunk, which occurs naturally after bushfires.

The timber’s grain is mostly straight and uniform, making it ideal for those seeking a sleek, clean interior finish. While higher-grade Blackbutt features minimal knots and defects, lower grades may display natural characteristics such as small gum veins, knots, and mineral streaks. These natural variations add unique character and charm to each floorboard. At Lifewood, our popular Rustic Blackbutt option embraces these features, providing a warm, organic alternative to Western Australia’s traditional Marri flooring.

Key features:

• Colour: Pale cream to golden brown

• Texture: Straight grain with minimal knots

• Durability: High hardness with a Janka rating of 9.1

• Sustainability: Responsibly harvested from Australian farms by Lifewood

Why Homeowners Love Blackbutt Flooring

1. Aesthetic Versatility
Blackbutt’s soft, natural tones provide a timeless look that complements a wide range of interior styles—from modern Scandinavian and coastal themes to classic Australian homes. Its consistent colouring and subtle grain make it easy to match with various furnishings and décor.

2. Exceptional Durability
With a high Janka hardness rating of 9.1, Blackbutt is highly resistant to dents, scratches, and everyday wear. This durability makes it an excellent flooring choice for busy households, high-traffic areas, and commercial spaces.

3. Fire Resistance
Blackbutt is one of the few Australian hardwoods certified for use in bushfire-prone areas, meeting BAL-29 standards. This natural fire resistance offers peace of mind for homeowners in regions susceptible to bushfires, such as Western Australia.

4. Sustainable and Responsible Sourcing
Unlike traditional logging that often targets old-growth forests, Lifewood’s Blackbutt timber is responsibly harvested from controlled Australian farms. Finished with eco-friendly low-VOC coatings, our flooring reflects a commitment to sustainability. Lifewood also partners with Trillion Trees Australia to actively support reforestation and carbon offset initiatives.

Solid vs. Engineered Blackbutt Flooring

Solid Timber Flooring

Traditional solid Blackbutt timber—available from suppliers like Nationwide Timber—is cut from a single piece of hardwood, providing a timeless and authentic flooring option. However, solid timber requires a lengthy acclimatisation period before installation and is prone to cupping and movement over time, particularly in Perth’s dry climate. Installation typically involves nails and adhesives, and solid boards cannot be relocated once installed.

🔗 Read more about the difference between solid and engineered timber flooring

Engineered Timber Flooring

Unlike conventional engineered flooring made from layered plywood, Lifewood’s engineered Blackbutt uses patented structures—Stabilised Solid®, Nature’s Steel®, and Harmony—designed for long-term durability and stability.

• Stabilised Solid® boards consist of three layers of 100% real Australian Blackbutt timber from top to bottom, ensuring consistent quality and appearance.

• Nature’s Steel® and Harmony feature real Australian Blackbutt timber on the surface and bottom, paired with an innovative inner core (bamboo or wood) that enhances stability, prevents cupping, and allows installation over concrete slabs or underfloor heating.
  All timber is responsibly farm-grown in Australia, ensuring sustainable sourcing and premium quality.

Lifewood’s Stabilised Solid®

This patented construction presses a solid timber top layer onto a stabilised core made from the same Blackbutt timber, delivering the authentic look and feel of solid timber with superior dimensional stability. It can be installed over concrete and radiant heat systems and can be re-sanded multiple times, extending its lifespan.

Available in Premium and Rustic grades, with plank widths of 130mm and 180mm.

🔗 Learn about Stabilised Solid® technology

Nature’s Steel® Range

Featuring a multi-layer bamboo core for enhanced stability and durability, the Nature’s Steel® range showcases Blackbutt’s natural, rustic characteristics—like gum veins and knots—making it ideal for those seeking a raw, organic timber aesthetic. Available in 180mm width.

🔗 Explore the Nature’s Steel® range

Harmony Collection

With a black underlay and a natural grading, the Harmony Collection highlights the relaxed, earthy character of Australian Blackbutt. It offers a more affordable option without compromising on style and warmth.

🔗 Discover the Harmony Collection

How Much Does Blackbutt Flooring Cost?

The cost of Blackbutt flooring varies based on the grade and structure you choose. Below are typical supply-only price ranges to help you budget your project:

• Solid Blackbutt (e.g., Nationwide Timber): $90 – $300 per m²

• Lifewood Stabilised Solid® Blackbutt: $200 – $230 per m²

• Lifewood Nature’s Steel® Blackbutt: $179 per m²

• Lifewood Harmony® Blackbutt: $109 per m²

Lifewood’s engineered flooring boards come pre-finished, which saves time and reduces costs associated with sanding and polishing after installation.

Please note that final project costs will also depend on subfloor preparation, installation complexity, and any additional finishes. For detailed budgeting assistance, download our comprehensive Flooring Price Guide.

Real Home Inspiration: Blackbutt Flooring in Perth Homes

Is Blackbutt Flooring Right for You?

Learn More or Book a Consultation 

Want to see and feel Blackbutt in person? Book a design consultation or request a quote today. 

Showroom: 1/18 Hector Street West Osborne Park, WA 6017 
Open Hours: Mon–Fri 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Sat 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM 

Book Now or Download Price Guide 

Contributor Acknowledgement
Special thanks to Mark Hutchison, Founder and CEO of Lifewood, for his invaluable input on this article. With over two decades of hands-on experience in the Australian timber flooring industry, Mark has been leading Lifewood since 2002, pioneering innovations like Stabilised Solid® and Nature’s Steel®. His deep knowledge of Blackbutt and commitment to sustainable craftsmanship continue to shape the industry.