A Key Product at Floorplan Studio, Thornleigh
Today, we are reviewing the Prestige Oak engineered timber range from Preference Floors.
This review is written based on real experience in the Sydney flooring industry. It is not copied text or generic marketing content. We hope it helps you better understand this product.
If you visit Floorplan Studio showroom in Thornleigh, you will notice that a large part of the main display area is dedicated to Prestige Oak. This is not by chance. Prestige Oak is one of the most important products we work with.
About Preference Floors and Prestige Oak
Preference Floors (official website) is one of the most influential flooring suppliers in Sydney. Their product range includes hybrid flooring, laminate, and engineered timber.
Prestige Oak is their core engineered European oak range and is widely seen as one of their strongest products.
Engineered timber means a real timber veneer is bonded onto a multi-layer plywood base. Prestige Oak uses European oak veneer, which is currently the most popular timber choice in interior design.
European oak is known for its fine grain, soft and natural colour, and balanced look. Compared with other species, American oak often looks more yellow, while ash is usually lighter but less defined in grain. European oak sits right in the middle and works well with modern Australian interiors.
In recent years, European oak supply has dropped due to global and political factors, making high-quality European oak harder to source. This adds to the value of the Prestige Oak range.
Sizes, Thickness, and Options
Prestige Oak comes in four main thickness options:
The 15/4mm and 14/2mm boards are produced in a classic 190mm width and 1900mm length, which suits most homes.
The 21/6mm range is larger, at 220mm wide and 2200mm long, and is often chosen for high-end projects.
These options allow customers to choose based on budget, design needs, and installation conditions.
Colour Range and Surface Finish
One of the most common reactions from customers in our showroom is surprise at how many colours Prestige Oak offers.
There are around 60 colour options in the range.
From light to dark, warm to cool, the colour selection is extremely broad. Some customers even joke that having too many choices makes it harder to decide.
The surface finish is another strong point. The colour application is even and controlled, and the brushed texture is fine and natural. When compared side by side with many standard engineered European oak floors, Prestige Oak clearly stands out.
Timber flooring finishing is an art. To explain it without sounding too nerdy, you can think of it as make-up. Untreated timber boards are like a face. What we want is not to change the face, but to use the right foundation, blush, and eyeshadow to make the colour more even while still keeping depth and richness. This is what floor coatings do. Then we use eyebrows, eyeliner, and shading to bring out the lines and shape of the face. This is brushing.
(If this comparison is not perfectly accurate, please forgive me—I’m a man who doesn’t wear make-up. I’m already trying very hard to understand these steps based on my wife’s explanations.)
When we do this, we don’t want to do it poorly and miss the chance to show the timber’s beauty. But we also don’t want to overdo it and cover up the timber’s own character. In the Sydney market, Prestige Oak is, in my opinion, one of the engineered timber ranges that handles this balance particularly well.
Natural Timber Character and Grades
Prestige Oak uses natural timber veneer, so it includes real timber features such as knots. Traditionally, knots are seen as part of the beauty of real wood.
However, design trends change. To meet different tastes, Prestige Oak also offers AB-grade options with fewer knots, which suit customers who prefer a cleaner and more uniform look.
Matching Patterns and Layouts
Many popular Prestige Oak colours are also available in herringbone and chevron patterns.
This allows you to use herringbone in feature areas such as a living room, while using standard wide planks in bedrooms or upstairs areas, all in matching colours.
Advantages of Prestige Oak Engineered Timber Structure and Stability
Prestige Oak uses a birch plywood base, which improves stability and moisture resistance. This makes it suitable for Australian conditions when installed correctly.
Installers often give positive feedback:
- Few short boards in each pack
- Good board consistency and straight edges
- Tight production tolerance with minimal gaps
The range is available with both tongue-and-groove and click systems. It works well for both floating installations and direct stick (glue-down) installation.
Designer and Customer Feedback
Designers like using Prestige Oak because the colours, grain patterns, and knots are well balanced. It fits easily into modern design plans and works across many styles.
Customers also value the full system behind the range. With so many colours and formats, it is easy to stay within the same product family while achieving different looks.
Disadvantages or Limitations to Be Aware Of
Prestige Oak also has its limits.
As an engineered timber floor, it:
- Requires skilled installation
- Is more expensive than laminate or hybrid flooring
- Is less scratch-resistant than man-made floors
Like all real timber products, it can change colour over time when exposed to sunlight. Areas under rugs or furniture may look different after long periods. This is natural but important to understand before choosing engineered timber.
Prestige Oak Rating
Based on our experience:
- Durability: 3.5 / 5
Not the toughest floor type, but suitable for homes and some retail spaces. - Appearance: 7 / 5
Natural grain, colour depth, and surface texture are outstanding. - Sound Insulation: 3 / 5
Requires a quality rubber underlay for good acoustic performance. - Ease of Cleaning: 3.5 / 5
Smooth surface makes regular cleaning simple. - Price: 3 / 5
More expensive than most engineered timber floors in Sydney, but still very good value compared with high-end brands like Quick-Step AB grade or Havwoods.
Overall Score: 4 / 5
Final Thoughts
Prestige Oak Engineered Timber is a carefully designed and well-made product. It is not cheap, and it is not maintenance-free, but its look, range, and build quality place it well above many standard engineered timber floors.
For customers who value real timber, colour choice, and design quality, Prestige Oak is a product that Floorplan Studio confidently recommends.
