Forté is a family-owned New Zealand brand with three generations of timber experience.
Every floor is authentic oak, independently tested for NZ conditions, FSC and PEFC certified, and backed by a 25-year residential Structural Warranty and 7-year residential Finish Warranty. Real wood flooring, built to last.
A Forté timber floor is real oak, engineered to stay beautiful through New Zealand's warm, humid summers and dry, cool winters. Every board is pre-finished with a seven-layer UV-cured water-based polyurethane finish, independently tested for dimensional stability, and built on a balanced multilayer core that keeps the floor flat for decades.
Forté is a family-owned NZ company with three generations of timber experience. Our collections are designed here, made to international manufacturing standards, and supported by a team you can actually reach.
Order free samplesA timber floor is a decision you make once. We've made it easy to choose with confidence.
1. Order free samples
Hold the boards in your hand, view them in your home's light, and live with them for a few days before you decide.
2. Visit an Experience Centre
Our Auckland, Christchurch and Queenstown Experience Centres let you see every collection in full plank lengths, alongside real installations.
3. Book a consultation
Talk through your project with one of our specialists. Whether you're designing a new build or renovating, we'll help match the right floor to your home.
What is the difference between timber flooring and wood flooring?
The terms are used interchangeably. Both refer to flooring made from real hardwood. Forté specialises in prefinished engineered oak timber flooring, designed for the demands of modern NZ homes.
Is Forté timber flooring real wood?
Yes. Every Forté floor is authentic oak. We only work with real timber, never laminates or synthetic imitations. The top layer (the lamella) is solid oak, bonded to an engineered multilayer core for stability.
How long does Forté timber flooring last?
With proper care, decades. Forté flooring is backed by a 25-year residential structural warranty and a 7-year residential finish warranty, supported by a NZ-based team.
Can I see Forté timber flooring in person?
Yes. We have Experience Centres in Auckland, Christchurch and Queenstown where you can see the full range. You can also order free samples sent to your home.
Is Forté timber flooring sustainable?
Forté holds FSC and PEFC chain-of-custody certification, and participates in the Toitū CarbonReduce programme. Our finishes are low-VOC and independently verified.
What is solid wood flooring?
Solid wood flooring is 100% solid timber all the way through. Find out more
What is engineered wood flooring?
Engineered wood flooring consists of a natural hardwood veneer (typically 2–6mm thick) bonded to one or more backing layers of timber. Once installed, it looks identical to a solid timber floor but offers greater stability and a range of additional benefits.
Engineered wood is sometimes mistaken for laminate flooring because its layers are ‘laminated’ together. However, unlike laminate— which is a synthetic product designed to imitate wood—engineered wood flooring is made from real hardwood, offering authentic beauty and performance. Find out more
What is laminate flooring?
The term laminate flooring often gets confused with engineered wood flooring, however the two are very different. Laminate is an entirely man-made product with a surface that imitates the look of timber, whereas engineered wood flooring has a real timber surface layer. Find out more
What does prefinished mean?
Prefinished is a term used to describe wood flooring which has had finishing coatings applied in the factory as a part of the manufacturing process. Prefinished wood flooring should not require any further finishing after installation. Learn more
What does unfinished mean?
Unfinished wood flooring refers to raw, natural timber flooring (whether solid or engineered) that is supplied without any finishing coatings applied. This type of wood flooring is usually finished on site after it has been installed. Learn more
The best way to choose a timber floor is to see it in your home. Order free samples from the Forté range and live with them in your own light, alongside your own materials, before you commit. Or book a consultation and we'll walk through the options with you.
Order Free Samples Book a Consultation