Spotted Gum is a fabulous hardwood but if you want a timber floor with a more consistent colour, don't get SG. It has virtually every timber colour in it, including some warm toned grey. Blackbutt is a lovely hardwood too and its colour is definitely more consistent.

So hard to decide

I'm wrestling with the same dilemma. I am now choosing between blackout and brush box. Both of these have a more even grain and pattern. I originally wanted spotted gum but as Creative Style says, spotted gum has every shade and pattern in it. The floor then becomes the feature of the room. If that is what you want then it should be great for that.

Brush box looks nice too

SueM...is there any chance you can take a photo to show me??

Look at the gradings of the timber. The more expensive grades give you less imperfections and marks, and a more consistent look.

We have just used spotted gum in our build. Stairs and internal boardwalks. There is naturally occurring heart wood and sapwood colour change but we went through the packets and matched up the heartwood to get a uniform dark brown finish. If you can get a timber merchant that allows you to do this it is well worth the effort even if you buy a bit of sapwood as well and sell off later. The grains and rich colour in spotted gum are stunning.

This is spotted gum select grade with a gloss finish

Okay no worries..looking forward to seeing :)

Hi Italiangal001, sorry for the delay but the day got away from me. We built and moved in 19 years ago and the floors haven't had any work since then...

From the front door area:

The kitchen floor:

And some close ups under varying light (natural and none!):

From what I remember, this was the grade up from standard (premium?) as there was no stock for standard grade Australia-wide for at least 3 months at the time. It was either to choose another timber or pay the extra for premium if we wanted to finish on time. As it turned out, all the other timbers we liked were just as expensive or more than the premium brush box.

We are loving how fresh and homely the spotted gum looks!

40 Elgin Street Gordon · More Info

40 Elgin Street Gordon · More Info

Photo of our recently installed Blackbutt floor (select grade).

Oooo la la thank you all for the photos :) Like tham all...but I am really loving the look of the blackbutt the best :)

We have stringybark. :) just another option for you! Hahaha. We LOVE it! We were originally going blackbutt but when we sat the boards next to the stringybark there was no comparison.

Is stringybutt a hardwood timber floor? Never heard of it lol..Where do they come up with these names hahaha

It sure is. :) Its stringybark not stringybutt. hahaha. Oh actually, hubby just reminded me that the stairs are blackbutt as the supplier couldnt source stringy stair timber and said the stringy would work fine with blackbutt stairs. :) Here is a shot of both, blackbutt on the stairs and stringy on the floor. I guess the biggest difference is the blackbutt is a less varied colour and it is deeper and slightly more pink toned than the stringy bark.

Looks really nice...Going tomorrow to look at different types..I will ask for stringbutt...bark ;)

Decided on going with Qld Spotted Gum as it has lots of variations - going with the big 130mm instead of 85...God i hope I've made the right decision!!!

You will love it! The spotted gum is lovely too. Its just a darker floor than the blackbutt. :)

Thanks :) Do U think i've made a good choice choosing QLD over NSW Spotted gum??

Qld is darker from memory...did you notice it was darker?

I only noticed that the Qld one had a lot more colours and variation and each piece was diffferent

love the look of those floor pics. have they kept their colours well since you've had them? any issues?

I haven't seen my floor yet as we r still in the process of building and the floor has been covered up so it doesn't get ruined by tradies.

Blackbutt is way more common than spotted gum - Everyone's got blackbutt...that's one of the reasons i didn't get it ;)

True that italiangal blackbutt is too common, I prefer spotted gum

italiangal001 - would love to see a pic of your finished floor! looking at QLD spotted gum also...

Ok here is a photo i just found...This is Queensland Spotted Gum, which is more varient than the NSW Spotted Gum.

Friends that have seen it say how gorgeous and different it is...and so so glad we didn't end up going with blackbutt :)

Thanks :)) Once house is all finished, I will take lots more photos :)

I was a bit worried about the darker colours showing up more dust etc... but the character is so lovely... thanks italiangal001!

I went with spotted gum :)...I still have not moved in yer believe it or not lol...but soon