Frequently Asked Questions

Trade Flooring NZ Ltd is an independent importer and installer of premium bamboo and composite flooring, operating out of Whangarei. We import directly, cutting out the middleman and passing those savings on to you. Everything is handled personally by Martin Drew — from sourcing and quality-checking products overseas to managing each installation.

We install primarily across Auckland, the North Shore, and areas within approximately 2–2.5 hours of Whangarei. For larger projects further afield, we may be able to arrange subcontract installers depending on scope and location — get in touch and we'll work it out.

Absolutely. We supply nationwide using freight. For example, delivery of around 100m² to mid-North Island regions is indicatively around $250, though actual freight costs vary by location and quantity. We'll confirm the exact cost when you enquire.

Yes. Our showroom is at 3/47 Herekino Street, Morningside, Whangarei — open by appointment only. We also bring samples to you during your free in-home consult so you can see how the colours look in your actual light conditions, which is far more useful than a showroom visit.

Yes, supply-only is available for all products we carry. Keep in mind that professional installation is recommended to ensure correct expansion gaps, subfloor preparation, and to qualify for the installation warranty. If you choose DIY, that's fine — but a warranty on the installation won't apply.

Yes. We've installed in boats, caravans, holiday cabins, and have used our flooring as wall cladding too. Our lightweight click-lock MFB is particularly well suited to these applications.

Our bamboo is a 14mm solid strand-woven plank finished with up to 11 coats of polyurethane — this is a genuinely robust, long-term flooring solution. It's pre-acclimated to approximately 12% moisture content before it leaves the factory, which means it arrives ready for NZ conditions and moves predictably. When installed correctly with a moisture barrier and 3mm closed-cell rubber underlay, it performs like a lifetime floor.

Very. Bamboo is a grass, not a tree, and grows back to harvestable size in 3–5 years compared to 25–60 years for hardwood timber. Our bamboo is certified sustainable and carries a fire rating superior to many timber floors and carpets.

All natural flooring products respond to changes in humidity, but bamboo is highly predictable when installed correctly. Movement occurs across the width of the board — not along the length — which means expansion gaps are planned for at the edges, not across the floor. The boards also use a waxed locking system that helps resist moisture ingress and prevents squeaks over time.

Strand-woven bamboo is harder than most hardwoods. It handles high foot traffic, resists denting, and rarely requires resurfacing. Minor surface scratches can be treated with wax-based products and are barely noticeable in the natural grain. Unlike composite floors, bamboo can also be professionally sanded and refinished if ever needed — though in practice this is uncommon.

We offer two classic colours: Natural Champagne (the lightest option, ideal for brightening spaces and making rooms feel larger) and Light Coffee (a warm caramel tone resembling rimu, with timeless character).

We recommend caution with bamboo in consistently high-moisture areas. As a natural solid timber product, prolonged exposure to standing water or sustained high humidity isn't ideal. For bathrooms, laundries, and wet areas, our MFB flooring is the better fit.

Regular sweeping or vacuuming removes grit that causes surface scratches. A slightly damp mop is fine for cleaning — just avoid saturating the floor. Minor scratches can be buffed with a wax-based floor product. With the 11-coat polyurethane finish, day-to-day maintenance is minimal.

Our bamboo carries a long manufacturer's warranty for the product itself. Professional installation by Trade Flooring includes a 12-month installation warranty. DIY installation does not include a warranty on the install.

MFB stands for Mineral Fiber Board. It's a 10mm rigid-core plank with a 2mm closed-cell rubber underlay pre-attached. The core is made from silica plant fibre and fiberglass — zero plastic — bonded with MDI glue, which is non-toxic and food-grade safe. The surface has a melamine design layer with an aluminium oxide coating for scratch and stain resistance.

MFB uses a plastic-free mineral core rather than the limestone-polymer blend in SPC. This makes it significantly more stable under temperature changes and sun exposure — areas where SPC can struggle. The boards lock firmly and deliver a very solid, premium underfoot feel. MFB is our recommended composite option for any demanding environment.

Yes. DualCore® MFB is PVC-free with zero plastic in the core. MDI glue — the bonding agent used — is non-toxic and widely used in medical and food-grade applications. There are no plasticisers or harmful off-gassing.

Yes, 100% waterproof. The mineral core and protective coatings are fully moisture-resistant, making MFB suitable for bathrooms, kitchens, laundries, and any wet area.

We currently offer five MFB colours: Light Oak, Medium Oak, Dark Oak, Grey Washed Oak, and Grey Wattle. All use EIR (Embossed-in-Register) surface technology to replicate genuine timber grain and texture. We recommend viewing sample chips in your own home lighting.

MFB boards lock together very firmly, which is part of what makes them stable and solid underfoot. This does mean individual plank replacement is not straightforward — unlike some other click-lock floors. We recommend keeping a few spare boards from your original order in case they're ever needed.

MFB requires a reasonably level subfloor. We assess this during your free in-home consult and will advise on any preparation needed. Getting this right is important — the rigid core means any significant subfloor unevenness will telegraph through.

DualCore® MFB carries a 25-year manufacturer's warranty for residential use and 15 years for commercial use. Professional installation by Trade Flooring is backed by a 12-month installation warranty. DIY installation does not include a warranty on the install.

We can discuss SPC and have experience with it, but it's not something we actively promote. In real-world conditions — particularly in New Zealand homes with direct sun through glass, or in rooms that heat up significantly — SPC can be prone to expansion, joint separation, and warping. These are performance issues we've seen in practice, which is why we've moved toward recommending MFB and bamboo instead.

SPC (Stone Plastic Composite) uses a core blended from limestone and polymer (plastic). It's a rigid-core, waterproof click-lock floor that performs well in stable environments, but the plastic content makes it more susceptible to dimensional changes under heat than mineral-core alternatives like MFB.

Both are rigid-core, waterproof, click-lock floors — but the key difference is the core material. SPC contains significant plastic, which can expand and cause joint issues under sustained heat or sun exposure. MFB uses a silica plant fibre and fiberglass core (zero plastic), which is far more dimensionally stable in those same conditions. For most NZ homes, MFB is the better long-term choice.

We strongly recommend professional installation. Correct expansion gaps, subfloor preparation, and moisture barrier placement all affect the long-term performance of the floor. DIY installation is possible, but does not include an installation warranty. Our BCITO-trained team handles everything from subfloor assessment through to the final walkthrough.

A full Trade Flooring installation includes a free in-home measure and consult, subfloor inspection and preparation, moisture barrier, premium 3mm closed-cell rubber underlay, installation, and a post-install walkthrough with care instructions. We provide a clear written quote before anything starts.

Flooring is typically one of the last trades. We prefer to go in after painters, plasterers, and wet-area tilers are done but before skirting boards are reattached. This protects the floor and ensures a clean finish at the edges.

Yes — free in-home measure and consult for all projects in our installation area. We'll check the subfloor, bring samples for you to view in your lighting, and give you a clear written quote with no obligation.

A typical 50–100m² installation takes one day. Larger projects, or rooms needing significant subfloor preparation, may take two days. We'll give you a realistic timeframe in your written quote.

All Trade Flooring professional installations carry a 12-month installation warranty, covering any settling adjustments or installation-related issues after the floor is laid. This warranty applies to professional installation only — DIY installs are not covered.

Pricing depends on several project-specific factors: the flooring type you choose, total square metreage, subfloor condition, installation complexity, and location. We don't provide fixed prices until we've assessed the project — but we do offer indicative 'from' pricing to help you budget. The best way to get an accurate figure is a free in-home consult and written quote.

We can give you indicative 'from' pricing as a starting point, but we're careful not to quote a number that turns out to be different to the final figure. Pricing varies based on your specific floor area, subfloor requirements, product choice, and location. Get in touch and we'll give you a realistic picture quickly — usually in a short conversation.

We import directly and operate on a smaller-margin, higher-turnover model. There's no retail chain or wholesale distributor between us and you, which typically means meaningfully lower prices compared to buying the same or similar products through a NZ flooring retailer.

Yes. We accept Gem Visa (6 months interest-free on purchases over $250) and can facilitate Gilrose Personal Loans for larger projects — low repayments with the option to pay off early at no penalty.

Indicative pricing is shown +GST. Your written quote will clearly show both ex-GST and GST-inclusive figures.

All our installation packages include a moisture barrier and 3mm closed-cell rubber underlay as standard. For bamboo installations specifically, this underlay is a key part of how the floor performs — it cushions movement, retains heat, and reduces impact noise.

We stock three grades: an economical 3mm IXPE foam with moisture block (73dB noise reduction); a standard multipurpose EVA for noise reduction and heat retention; and a high-grade 4mm EVA rubber with 86dB noise reduction. All are 100% waterproof and exceed NZ building code noise requirements. Contact us for current pricing per roll.

Our aluminium L-bar trims are used at doorways, floor transitions, and as stair nosing. They attach with pre-applied industrial double-sided tape after installation — no screws needed. Available in Matte Black, Matte Champagne, and Matte Silver.

Yes — our underlay rolls are sold separately and work with any compatible click-lock flooring product.

Day-to-day: a dry microfibre mop or broom. For deeper cleaning, a slightly damp mop with a pH-neutral cleaner. Avoid steam mops, solvent-based cleaners, and abrasive pads. MFB is fully waterproof, so damp mopping is perfectly safe.

Regular sweeping or vacuuming to remove grit. A slightly damp mop for cleaning — avoid saturating the floor. Minor surface scratches can be treated with a wax-based floor product. The 11-coat polyurethane finish means most day-to-day wear is well protected.

No — we do not recommend steam mops on any of our products. Sustained high heat and pressure can compromise click-lock joints, adhesive layers, and protective coatings over time, and will likely void your warranty.

Our products are designed for real-world use. MFB has an aluminium oxide coating and AC-rated wear layer. Bamboo's 11-coat polyurethane is similarly robust. For best results, use felt pads under furniture, and sweep regularly to prevent grit from being ground into the surface.

Use wide, flat felt or rubber pads under all furniture legs — especially anything that moves regularly. Avoid hard plastic or metal castors directly on the floor. For heavy items that don't move, a wide rubber coaster distributes the weight.