Which flooring brands should you compare? Start with the floor type: Quick-Step and Terra Mater NuCore for laminate; Godfrey Hirst and Terra Mater ResiPlank for hybrid; Hurford and Terra Mater WildOak for engineered timber; Karndean for luxury vinyl; and Godfrey Hirst for carpet. The best choice depends on the exact range, your room and the total installed cost.
Looking for the best flooring brands in Australia? A useful comparison starts with what you need the floor to do. A bedroom, a busy kitchen and an apartment can call for different materials, even within the same brand. This guide helps you build a shortlist across five flooring types before comparing samples and quotes.
This is a retailer’s buying guide, not a laboratory ranking of every brand. The examples include brands listed by The Flooring Guys and ranges described in manufacturer information. Specifications, availability and warranties vary by product; check the current documents for the exact floor you are considering.
In this guide: Brand comparison · Hybrid · Laminate · Engineered timber · Vinyl · Carpet · How to choose · FAQs
Flooring brands in Australia: a quick comparison
| Flooring type | Brands or ranges to compare | A starting point for | What to check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hybrid | Godfrey Hirst; Terra Mater ResiPlank | A timber-look rigid-core floor for everyday living | Wear layer, surface finish, locking system, subfloor limits and room suitability |
| Laminate | Quick-Step; Terra Mater NuCore | A timber-look surface with a choice of plank sizes and finishes | Abrasion rating, water-warranty conditions, edge treatment and installation requirements |
| Engineered timber | Hurford; Terra Mater WildOak | A genuine timber surface, with species and grading choices | Timber top layer, core, finish, installation method and refinishing advice |
| Luxury vinyl | Karndean; Godfrey Hirst | Timber or stone designs in different installation formats | Gluedown, loose lay or rigid core; wear layer; subfloor preparation; use rating |
| Carpet | Godfrey Hirst | Softness and comfort for bedrooms and living spaces | Fibre, pile construction, room rating, underlay and care requirements |
These are starting points, not the whole market. Browse our flooring brand directory to explore more options, including Signature Floors, Preference Floors, Kenbrock and Polyflor.
Hybrid flooring brands: compare the complete plank
Godfrey Hirst offers hybrid collections, while Terra Mater publishes specifications for its ResiPlank Hybrid ranges. Compare the exact product rather than assuming every floor carrying the same brand name has the same construction.
Look at the wear layer, surface coating, locking system and installation limits together. Total thickness alone does not establish durability. If acoustic performance matters, ask for the test report and the floor-and-ceiling construction used in that test. A waterproof core also does not mean water cannot reach the subfloor or that the product is approved for every wet area.
Continue to our hybrid flooring brand guide or compare hybrid flooring products.
Laminate flooring brands: check the exact water warranty
Quick-Step and Terra Mater NuCore are useful laminate ranges to compare. Start with the design and surface texture you like, then check the product’s abrasion rating, intended use and water-resistance conditions.
An abrasion rating describes one aspect of surface performance; it is not a promise that the floor cannot scratch. Water-related claims also need context: ask which rooms are covered, how edges must be sealed and what cleaning or spill conditions apply. Compare these requirements before choosing a laminate floor for a kitchen.
Read our laminate flooring brand guide and browse laminate flooring.
Engineered timber brands: focus on the timber and finish
Hurford and Terra Mater WildOak offer starting points for buyers who want a real timber surface. Compare species, colour variation and grading alongside the technical construction. The knots and natural variation that suit a character interior may be different from the look you want in a quieter, contemporary room.
Ask for the thickness of the timber top layer, the core construction and the finish system. If future sanding matters, obtain product-specific advice: a thicker top layer does not automatically guarantee a set number of refinishes. The joint profile, floor condition and manufacturer’s guidance also matter.
Explore the engineered timber brand guide or shop engineered timber flooring.
Luxury vinyl brands: choose the installation format first
Karndean offers luxury vinyl in gluedown, loose lay and rigid-core formats. Godfrey Hirst also lists vinyl plank flooring. Decide which installation method suits your project before comparing colours or treating all vinyl products as interchangeable.
Check the wear layer alongside the surface treatment, use classification and maintenance instructions. Ask the installer to assess the existing floor and itemise preparation work. A lower plank price may not produce a lower total quote once preparation, adhesives and installation are included.
Browse vinyl plank flooring to compare available products.
Carpet brands: match the fibre and construction to the room
Godfrey Hirst’s Australian range includes wool, triexta and synthetic carpet options. For a bedroom, you may place more weight on softness; for stairs or a frequently used living room, the product’s suitability rating and construction deserve closer attention.
Compare fibre, pile style, density, recommended underlay and care instructions together. Pile weight alone does not tell you how a carpet will perform. Take a sample home to check the colour and feel before committing to a full room.
Explore carpet options and confirm the current range with our team.
How to choose the right flooring brand for your home
- Define the room and household. List everyday spills, pets, direct sunlight and the feel you want underfoot. Ask about any room-specific exclusions before narrowing the shortlist.
- Compare equivalent products. Match the flooring type, installation method and intended use. Keep the current technical sheet, warranty and care guide for each exact range.
- Get a complete quote. Include flooring, preparation, underlay or adhesive, trims, removal, installation and delivery. Confirm how wastage and stairs are calculated. Our flooring installation cost guide helps you identify the items to discuss.
- Check support and future repairs. Confirm who handles claims and whether matching trims and replacement boards are available. Future stock or an identical colour batch cannot be guaranteed; discuss keeping suitable spare material from the original order.
- Compare samples in your own light. View two or three options beside your cabinetry and paint during the day and evening. For apartments, confirm building approval and acoustic requirements before ordering.
Build your shortlist
Choose two or three ranges, then ask us about samples, current availability and a quote for your project. Share your room dimensions, suburb, subfloor and whether you need installation.
Explore brands · Request a quote or visit a showroom · Call 1300 477 699
Frequently asked questions
Which flooring brand is best in Australia?
There is no single winner across every flooring type. Start with brands that offer the material you need, then compare the exact range, room suitability, installation requirements and complete quote. The table above gives you a starting shortlist.
Are more expensive flooring brands worth the money?
A higher price can reflect material, finish, design or construction differences, but it does not prove better value for your room. Ask the supplier to identify the specific benefit you gain and compare that benefit with your priorities.
Which flooring is best for homes with pets?
Compare scratch and stain guidance, surface texture, cleaning instructions and warranty exclusions for the exact product. No floor is scratch-proof. The right choice depends on your pets, the room and how you maintain the floor.
Does waterproof flooring suit every wet area?
No. A product’s water-related claim does not automatically approve it for bathrooms, laundries or other wet areas. Check the current installation guide and room exclusions, and ask your installer whether the complete floor system is suitable.
Are flooring brands sold in Australia made in Australia?
Not necessarily. The brand’s location and the product’s manufacturing origin are different questions. If origin matters to you, ask for confirmation for the exact range or product code.
Does The Flooring Guys offer a price beat guarantee?
Our current price beat guarantee applies to identical in-stock products with a written quote. Contact our team to check eligibility and confirm the full quote, including any installation or delivery costs.
Manufacturer information
Check the current Quick-Step laminate information, Terra Mater technical data, Karndean flooring options and Godfrey Hirst product information when comparing a specific range.