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Blackbutt or Tallowwood?
https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=35029
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Author:  Lex [ Jun 18, 2010 9:34 pm ]
Post subject:  Blackbutt or Tallowwood?

There's a similar thread on other species, but I am interested in comparing these ones.
I was firmly focused on one species, but after seeing several timber experts, I am beginning to think that I got it wrong and selected the more inferior of the two.

So, which of these is a better quality timber - Blackbutt or Tallowwood? With quality, I mean things like:
- less movement (seasonal shrinking and expanding)
- less splitting and cracking, checking, etc. (all those techincal terms which indicate some kind of mechanical damage or weakness or imperfection of timber boards)
- more robust and "safe" to work with (meaning cracks less under nails, pressure and other rough handling during installation)
- less issue with rejecting glues
- less issue with warping, twisting etc. before, during and after installation
- better suited to use as thin overlay flooring
- better suited to use as parquetry flooring
- better suited to use water based coatings
- better suited to use in areas which get spot-heated (portable heaters)
and any other useful factor ...

BTW, I'm using a general term "blackbutt" since that's the only blackbutt one can buy :lol: :roll:

Author:  Lex [ Jun 19, 2010 11:18 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Blackbutt or Tallowwood?

Noone ?! :(

OK, an easier question then - does anyone have tallowwood floors ?

Author:  Dukekamaya [ Jun 19, 2010 5:17 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Blackbutt or Tallowwood?

Blackbutt is far more popular as its a plantation species.
Tallowwood was popular in days gone for decking due to its naturally oily nature - it isn't available in plentiful quantities these days.

There is not really any better or worse timber as far as the rest of your concerns - the flooring is all kiln dried so any surface checking and cracking etc will have already happened in the drying process
All timber will shrink and expand in varying seasons. It is important to acclimatise the timber IN your house for at least 2 weeks before laying. Winter is a better time to lay as apposed to the middle of summer especially in humid areas. Boards laid in the middle of summer will tend to shrink in winter giving gaps.

As far as blackbutt goes - coastal blackbutt, new england blackbutt, queensland blackbutt or WA blackbutt are all readily available

Author:  Lex [ Jun 19, 2010 6:29 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Blackbutt or Tallowwood?

Yeah, blackbutt is all the rage, it's a beautilful timber :D
I think it can be tricky if you don't want yellow/orange floors - sometimes it ends up looking that way. Could be both the exact species and especially the coating.

Author:  Dukekamaya [ Jun 19, 2010 6:33 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Blackbutt or Tallowwood?

Not tricky at all - just use a water-based finish.

There are plenty of nice blonde/light brown floors - we sell plenty of Silvertop Ash and Yellow Stringybark. Coastal Grey Box is another.

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