BEFORE YOU FALL IN LOVE WITH THAT FLOOR ... HERE'S WHAT IT ACTUALLY COSTS
Flooring is a MAAAJOR decision.
It covers a huge area, you'll walk on it every day and it usually absorbs a healthy chunk of your renovation budget. It's also one of the very first design decisions we make because everything else builds from there. The colour, texture and material underfoot help shape the look and feel of your entire home.
Carpet, vinyl, laminate, hybrid, timber, bamboo, tiles, polished concrete... Each comes with its own price tag, practical considerations and look. And with so many options to choose from, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.
But, fear not. We got you.
Three Birds House 16
Because the good news is that there's no single ‘best’ flooring choice. The right flooring for your home depends on your style, your lifestyle and your budget.
To help make the decision easier, we've broken down the costs, benefits and considerations for the most popular flooring options in Australia.
Please note: Costs below are typical supply and installation costs only and will vary depending on product quality, location, floor preparation requirements and installation complexity.
Flooring Cost Comparison
| Flooring Type | Typical Cost Installed |
|---|---|
| Solid Timber | $150–$350+ per m² |
| Tiles | $80–$300+ per m² |
| Engineered Timber | $100–$250+ per m² |
| Carpet | $40–$200+ per m² |
| Polished Concrete | $80–$180+ per m² |
| Bamboo | $80–$180+ per m² |
| Hybrid Flooring | $50–$120+ per m² |
| Vinyl Planks | $50–$100+ per m² |
| Laminate | $40–$90+ per m² |
Solid Timber Flooring
Typical Supply & Installation Cost: $150–$350+ per square metre
Standard hardwood species: $150–$220/m²
Premium hardwoods: $220–$350+/m²
Things to Consider
This is the real deal. Solid timber delivers timeless beauty, incredible character and can be sanded and refinished multiple times throughout its life. However, it isn't cheap. Installation is more complex, the boards can expand and contract with moisture and humidity, and ongoing maintenance is part of the package. For many homeowners though, nothing compares to the warmth and authenticity of real timber.
BEST FOR
Character homes
Heritage renovations
High-end projects
Long-term homeowners
Those wanting authentic timber floors
Tiles
Typical Supply & Installation CosT: $80–$300+ per square metre
Budget porcelain tiles: $80–$120/m²
Mid-range tiles: $120–$200/m²
Premium stone or designer tiles: $200–$300+/m²
Things to Consider
Tiles remain a no-brainer for bathrooms, laundries and many outdoor spaces. They're durable, easy to clean, allergy-friendly and can last for decades when installed correctly. The trade-off is comfort. Tiles can feel hard underfoot and cold in winter unless paired with underfloor heating. They can also create more echo and noise than softer flooring materials.
BEST FOR
Bathrooms
Laundries
Alfresco spaces
Warm climates
Homes with pets
Engineered Timber Flooring
Typical Supply & Installation Cost: $100–$250+ per square metre
Entry-level engineered timber: $100–$150/m²
Mid-range products: $150–$200/m²
Premium European Oak ranges: $200–$250+/m²
Things to Consider
If solid timber and practicality had a baby, it would be engineered timber. It looks, feels, sounds and smells like real timber because the top layer actually is real timber. The difference is the engineered core underneath provides greater stability and helps minimise expansion and contraction. It's one of our all-time favourite flooring options because it delivers a premium look while being easier to install and maintain than traditional hardwood flooring.
BEST FOR
Forever homes
Coastal homes
Contemporary interiors
Open-plan living
Renovators wanting a premium finish
Carpet
Typical Supply & Installation Cost: $40–$200+ per square metre
Budget polyester carpet: $40–$70/m²
Mid-range nylon carpet: $70–$120/m²
Premium wool or Triexta carpet: $120–$200+/m²
Things to Consider
As much as we love hard flooring throughout living areas, we still can't go past the feel-good factor of carpet in bedrooms. There's nothing quite like stepping out of bed onto a lovely soft surface instead of a cold floor. Carpet also helps absorb sound, adds warmth and can make a room feel instantly cosier. The downside is that it can stain, show wear in high-traffic areas and may not be the best option for allergy sufferers.
One thing people often forget to budget for is underlay. Depending on the quality you choose, this can add a surprising amount to the overall cost.
BEST FOR
Bedrooms
Family homes
Cooler climates
Noise reduction
Creating a warm, cosy feel
Polished Concrete
Typical Supply & Installation Cost: $80–$180+ per square metre
Existing slab polish: $80–$120/m²
New slab and polish: $120–$180+/m²
Things to Consider
Polished concrete floors can look absolutely incredible. They're durable, low maintenance, hypoallergenic and perfect for modern, industrial and minimalist homes. However, they can feel hard and cold underfoot and installation can be more complex in existing homes than many people realise.
BEST FOR
Modern homes
Industrial interiors
Minimalist spaces
Warm climates
Low-maintenance living
Bamboo Flooring
Typical Supply & Installation Cost: $80–$180+ per square metre
Standard bamboo flooring: $80–$130/m²
Premium strand-woven bamboo: $130–$180+/m²
Things to Consider
Bamboo is often considered the most environmentally friendly alternative to timber flooring. It's durable, relatively affordable and can be sanded and refinished multiple times. Like timber, bamboo isn't ideal in high-moisture environments and can still be scratched or dented over time. Colour options are also more limited than many timber-look alternatives.
BEST FOR
Eco-conscious renovators
Modern homes
Budget-conscious homeowners
Low-maintenance living
Timber-look interiors
Image source: BuildDirect
Hybrid Flooring
Typical Supply & Installation CosT: $50–$120+ per square metre
Budget range: $50–$80/m²
Mid-range products: $80–$100/m²
Premium hybrid flooring: $100–$120+/m²
Things to Consider
Hybrid flooring combines the best bits of laminate and vinyl flooring. It offers realistic timber looks, impressive durability and 100% waterproof performance, making it a favourite for busy family homes. The built-in acoustic underlay found in many hybrid products can also improve comfort underfoot and reduce installation costs. We used hybrid flooring in House 9 and absolutely loved the result.
Three Birds House 9
Three Birds Eclectic Escape
BEST FOR
Family homes
Homes with pets
Open-plan living
High-traffic areas
Renovators wanting durability and easy maintenance
Vinyl Planks
Typical Supply & Installation Cost: $50–$100+ per square metre
Budget range: $50–$70/m²
Mid-range products: $70–$90/m²
Premium vinyl planks: $90–$100+/m²
Things to Consider
Vinyl planks have come a long way. They deliver a timber-look finish, are water-resistant, durable, quiet underfoot and relatively inexpensive. They're also easy to replace if a section gets damaged. We used vinyl planks throughout The River Shack because the floors needed to handle holiday guests, sandy feet and plenty of wear and tear while still looking beautiful. The biggest drawback is that they don't quite have the look, feel or long-term value of genuine timber flooring.
BEST FOR
Holiday homes
Busy family homes
Wet areas
Budget-conscious renovators
Low-maintenance living
LAMINATE FLOORING
Typical Supply & Installation Cost: $40–$90+ per square metre
Budget range: $40–$60/m²
Mid-range products: $60–$80/m²
Premium laminate: $80–$90+/m²
Things to Consider
Laminate flooring is one of the most affordable ways to achieve a timber-look floor.
We've used laminate flooring in several of our renovation projects because it's affordable, comes in beautiful light colours and is quick and easy to install.
It's highly resistant to dents and scratches, but prolonged exposure to water can cause swelling and damage. While it looks remarkably similar to timber, it doesn't quite feel like the real thing.
BEST FOR
Budget renovations
Investment properties
Cosmetic updates
High-traffic areas
Timber-look lovers on a budget
Three Birds' Top Flooring Picks
If you've made it this far and still feel a little overwhelmed, don't worry. Flooring is one of those decisions that can feel like a lot because there are so many good options.
For what it's worth, these are some of our current fave flooring choices from our own projects:
Engineered Timber in White Oiled by Woodcut
Hybrid Flooring in Atlantis Mesa by Embelton Flooring
Carpet in Orchard Melrose by EC Carpets
Three Birds House 14 – White Oiled by Woodcut
Three Birds Eclectic Escape – Atlantis Mesa by Embelton
Three Birds House 17 – Orchard Melrose by EC Carpets
Our Final Thoughts
If there's one thing we've learnt over the years, it's that flooring does a lot more than cover the ground beneath your feet. It sets the tone for your home, it influences how light, bright, warm or spacious a room feels. And because it covers such a large area, it has the power to completely transform a space.
So before you focus solely on price, think about how you want your home to feel. Look back at your vision board. Think about your lifestyle. Consider how much maintenance you're realistically willing to do. Then choose the flooring that supports all of those things.
Remember: the best flooring choice isn't necessarily the cheapest or the most expensive. It's the one that works beautifully for the way you live every day.
