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