How Do I... Choose Timber Flooring for Indoor-Outdoor Flow?
Maximise the connection between inside and out by choosing the same timber flooring for both areas – here's how
Georgia Madden
17 November 2017
In this practical series, we ask experts to answer your burning design and decorating questions. Here, Leon Travis, national sales and distribution manager at Boral Timber, reveals how timber flooring can be used to boost your indoor-outdoor connection.
Choosing the same species of timber for flooring and decking is a great way to maximise the connection between the indoor and outdoor parts of your home, and provide an architectural link to the surrounding landscape. It can also visually open up your indoor and outdoor entertaining areas, making them both feel more spacious.
Which timber species work best?
Australian hardwoods are an excellent choice for indoor and outdoor use, as they’re high-density and extremely durable. Some species, such as blackbutt and spotted gum, are bushfire-resistant too (blackbutt is also termite-resistant). Lighter ‘blonde’ timbers are popular right now, however. They provide a fresh, neutral canvas and can help make a space feel larger.
As a general rule when making your selection, choose interior timber flooring first and then a decking species that is no darker than it. Timber is easy to darken, but naturally dark timber cannot be lightened without being painted.
Australian hardwoods are an excellent choice for indoor and outdoor use, as they’re high-density and extremely durable. Some species, such as blackbutt and spotted gum, are bushfire-resistant too (blackbutt is also termite-resistant). Lighter ‘blonde’ timbers are popular right now, however. They provide a fresh, neutral canvas and can help make a space feel larger.
As a general rule when making your selection, choose interior timber flooring first and then a decking species that is no darker than it. Timber is easy to darken, but naturally dark timber cannot be lightened without being painted.
What’s important to know?
You need to know what species and grade you’re buying. Species refers to the type of hardwood and is often a guide to colour. There is a wide variety of Australian species available, ranging from light browns to deep reds.
Solid indoor timber flooring comes in three different grades. Grade refers to the level of natural features in the wood, such as gum veins, spirals, burls and insect trails. At Boral Timber, we classify the grades as classic, Australiana and natural-grade. Classic is the most costly; it has the lowest level of natural features and suits contemporary, minimalist homes. Australiana has more natural features and costs less. Natural-grade has the greatest number of natural features and is the most affordable.
Decking only comes in one grade. It’s also a structural hardwood (indoor timber flooring may or may not be), so may have a thicker profile than indoor varieties.
To create indoor-outdoor flow, focus on matching the colour of the timber rather than the grade. Even within the same species and grade, you’ll see some variation in colour and features – timber is a natural product, after all.
You need to know what species and grade you’re buying. Species refers to the type of hardwood and is often a guide to colour. There is a wide variety of Australian species available, ranging from light browns to deep reds.
Solid indoor timber flooring comes in three different grades. Grade refers to the level of natural features in the wood, such as gum veins, spirals, burls and insect trails. At Boral Timber, we classify the grades as classic, Australiana and natural-grade. Classic is the most costly; it has the lowest level of natural features and suits contemporary, minimalist homes. Australiana has more natural features and costs less. Natural-grade has the greatest number of natural features and is the most affordable.
Decking only comes in one grade. It’s also a structural hardwood (indoor timber flooring may or may not be), so may have a thicker profile than indoor varieties.
To create indoor-outdoor flow, focus on matching the colour of the timber rather than the grade. Even within the same species and grade, you’ll see some variation in colour and features – timber is a natural product, after all.
You should also be aware that other features apart from the colour of your flooring can affect the sense of flow between your indoor and outdoor areas, such as having a door track for bi-folds or a drainage grate for water removal.
Should boards be laid in the same direction?
Installing timber decking boards in the same direction as your interior flooring can help boost the sense of flow between the two areas. However, it’s more important to make sure the flooring layout you choose suits the shape of your deck and the adjoining internal subfloor. Even if you end up laying interior flooring and decking in different directions, choosing a consistent colour will still give you a relatively seamless transition.
Installing timber decking boards in the same direction as your interior flooring can help boost the sense of flow between the two areas. However, it’s more important to make sure the flooring layout you choose suits the shape of your deck and the adjoining internal subfloor. Even if you end up laying interior flooring and decking in different directions, choosing a consistent colour will still give you a relatively seamless transition.
Can I have indoor and outdoor boards of different widths?
Yes, so long as you keep your interior and exterior flooring within the same colour palette.
Yes, so long as you keep your interior and exterior flooring within the same colour palette.
How much should I expect to pay?
As an example, Boral’s blackbutt decking starts from $90.85 per square metre. Solid blackbutt flooring starts from $135.14 per square metre. Both prices are including GST and excluding installation.
As an example, Boral’s blackbutt decking starts from $90.85 per square metre. Solid blackbutt flooring starts from $135.14 per square metre. Both prices are including GST and excluding installation.
Will the weather affect the colour of decking?
Leaving your deck untreated will change its colour and give it a naturally weathered look. Cleaning and maintaining decking will help preserve its original colour.
We recommend applying a decking oil to exposed decking surfaces at least once per year. But choose carefully; some decking oils contain UV protectants that can change the colour of decking boards.
Leaving your deck untreated will change its colour and give it a naturally weathered look. Cleaning and maintaining decking will help preserve its original colour.
We recommend applying a decking oil to exposed decking surfaces at least once per year. But choose carefully; some decking oils contain UV protectants that can change the colour of decking boards.
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Do you like the idea of matching your indoor and outdoor flooring? Tell us in the Comments below. And while you’re at it, don’t forget to like, share or bookmark this story. Join the conversation.
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Read more ‘How Do I… ?’ stories
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Great to see this idea. We have selected Dakota timber look tiles that are suitable for both inside and out. The aim is to extend a small living area to the alfresco by keeping the flooring visually consistent.