Need an immediate decision map for wood floors in Dubai — and realistic AED/m² budgets you can rely on? Below is a concise guide that gets you to a specification, a price band and a vetted supplier shortlist in one read. Royal Grand Star General Trading LLC supplies genuine Lunawood Thermowood (Made in Finland) and Novawood Hardwood (Turkey) across the UAE/GCC and can provide sample boards and technical on‑site advice if you want material-first help.
1) At a glance: which floor to pick for your Dubai project
Choose by exposure and use. For conditioned apartment living, engineered wood gives the best balance of real timber aesthetics and dimensional stability. For villas with open kitchens or heavy sunlight, either a high‑performance LVT/SPC or an engineered plank with a durable lacquer finish will be lower‑maintenance. Beachfront terraces and exposed outdoor decks want thermally modified wood (Thermowood/Lunawood) or rigid SPC vinyl. For budget or rental units, premium laminate or LVT delivers the look at a lower cost.
| Scenario | Recommended | Typical AED/m² (bands) |
|---|---|---|
| AC‑conditioned apartment | Engineered wood (≥3mm wear layer) | Mid: AED 120–350 |
| Villa — sunrooms & kitchens | LVT/SPC or lacquered engineered | AED 45–200 (LVT/SPC) / AED 120–350 (engineered) |
| Beachside terrace / deck | Thermally modified wood (Lunawood) or SPC | Thermowood varies; SPC AED 75–200 |
| Budget / rental | Laminate or entry LVT | AED 30–150 |
2) Types, species and performance in UAE heat and humidity
Engineered wood is the pragmatic first choice for most Dubai interiors. A multi‑ply core stabilises the plank against seasonal expansion and contraction; specify a minimum 3 mm wear veneer if you want future sanding and refinishing. Oak and mahogany veneers are common and perform well; ask for certified glue systems compatible with local humidity.
Solid hardwood gives depth and unlimited sandability but will move more in variable RH. Choose solid only where indoor climate is tightly controlled and expect professional site conditioning, strict acclimatisation and a higher cost for installation.
Thermally modified wood (Lunawood) is heat‑treated to reduce hygroscopicity and improve decay resistance. It’s especially suited to terraces, facades and sauna paneling because it stabilises colour and movement without chemicals. For beaches and poolsides, thermowood offers an elegant, low‑maintenance option that weathers naturally.
Parquet and exotic hardwoods deliver strong design value but come with greater maintenance and greater sensitivity to moisture swings. Laminate, LVT and SPC remain excellent waterproof alternatives where real‑wood feel is a lower priority: SPC is effectively rigid‑core and handles humidity with minimal movement.
Acclimatize all timber on site for 1–2 weeks before installation. Target indoor temperatures of 21–24°C and a stable relative humidity in the 30–55% band (ideally 35–50%). This reduces gapping and cupping after installation.
3) Realistic budgets: AED per m² (materials + standard installation) and reading a quote
Conservative price bands (materials plus standard installation):
- Laminate: AED 30–150/m²
- Vinyl (LVT/SPC): AED 45–200/m²
- Engineered wood: AED 120–350/m²
- Solid hardwood / Parquet: AED 200–700+/m²
Prices vary by wear layer, plank width, finish, installation method and site preparation. Common add‑ons that raise a quote include removal of old flooring, subfloor levelling (self‑leveller), moisture membranes, premium underlay, specialist adhesives, skirting and thresholds, stair nosing, finishing coats, delivery charges and VAT.
Worked example — 50 m² living/dining:
, Laminate mid‑range (AED 80/m²): 50 × 80 = AED 4,000 (material + install).
, Engineered mid‑range (AED 200/m²): 50 × 200 = AED 10,000.
, Solid hardwood premium (AED 450/m²): 50 × 450 = AED 22,500.
Second example — engineered 50 m² with site works: base AED 200/m² = AED 10,000; add subfloor levelling and moisture barrier and premium underlay (conservative add ≈ AED 40–60/m²) → extra AED 2,000–3,000; total ≈ AED 12,000–13,000. Expect 10–30% uplift for poor substrate or complex patterns.
Read quotes line‑by‑line: demand an itemised scope (materials, labour, levelling, adhesives, trims), confirm warranty terms for materials and workmanship, and ask for lead times. For larger areas, ask suppliers for volume discounts and staged payment terms.
For a deeper dive into laminate pricing and a breakdown of typical installation costs in Dubai, see a detailed guide on laminate installation costs in Dubai. For comparisons and further reading on hardwood choices and climate-specific advice, consider the in-depth piece Hardwood Flooring Dubai: Best Picks, Prices & Climate Tips, Thermowood.ae.
4) Where to buy and how to shortlist installers in Dubai
The most reliable selection criteria are demonstrable samples, clear warranty documentation (materials + workmanship), verified species origin, veneer/wear‑layer specs, and a showroom or sample policy you can test in real light.
- What to check on day one: showroom & sample policy, wear‑layer/veneer thickness, species origin and certification (FSC or equivalent), installation warranty length, lead time and post‑install support.
Quick shortlist (one line each):
Revive Hub — transparent homeowner refurb teams; good for clear quotes on apartments.
PRBC — villa and structural renovation specialists; useful for architect‑led projects.
Ray Fitout — creative villa fit‑outs and brand partnerships; good for bespoke finishes.
Fixit Design — premium remodeling with reliable delivery timelines for flooring and finishes.
Octopus — end‑to‑end villa/apartment management; strong on coordinated delivery.
Haifa Renov8 — detail‑oriented fitouts with solid client feedback on flooring work.
Royal Grand Star General Trading LLC acts as a specification partner for thermally modified and hardwood products — supplying genuine Lunawood Thermowood and Novawood Hardwood, providing sample boards, technical selection help and logistics across the UAE and GCC. Use them when you need certified thermowood or project‑grade hardwood delivered with technical backup. If you are sourcing material, see our reference on wood supplier Dubai, Thermowood.ae for supplier selection tips and sample policies.
- What to ask on the first call: Do you provide a site survey? Is subfloor levelling included? Can I see physical samples in my light? Exact warranty period and what it covers? Which adhesives/underlays do you use? Estimated lead time and installation schedule?
5) Installation, lead times and the on‑site checklist
Pre‑install: commission a site survey that includes RH/concrete moisture tests (relative humidity probe or CM meter), a flatness check (NWFA rule‑of‑thumb ~3/16″ over 10ft is a useful benchmark) and a plan for acclimatisation. Stage deliveries to avoid prolonged on‑site storage in direct sun.
During install: maintain an expansion gap around perimeters (8–12 mm for most engineered floors; larger for very long runs), follow the manufacturer’s recommended underlay/moisture barrier, and choose glue‑down for areas with heavy thermal load or direct sun; floating systems are faster but need correct perimeter detailing.
For more context on how Dubai’s heat and humidity influence product selection and installation best practices, see this practical guide on how heat and humidity in Dubai affect your flooring choices.
Lead times: stocked samples and standard planks can be delivered in days; customised or special finishes typically take 2–6 weeks. A single room install (15–25 m²) is often completed in 1–2 days of laying; 50–100 m² with prep can take several days to a week depending on levelling and curing.
Troubleshooting: cupping usually signals excess moisture — halt work and investigate RH/moisture barriers; gapping typically follows rapid drying — check acclimatisation; squeaks often indicate insufficient subfloor adhesion — locate and secure problem boards immediately.
On‑site quick checklist:
- Concrete moisture test and record before install.
- Subfloor flatness within tolerance (repair plan if not).
- Acclimatise flooring in the installation room for 1–2 weeks.
- Confirm expansion gap and perimeter details with installer.
- Retain one full carton per 20 m² for later matching/repairs.
6) Care, finishes and realistic lifespans — a seasonal maintenance plan
Oil vs lacquer: oil gives a natural hand, is easier for spot repairs and breathable in variable humidity; it needs re‑oiling cycles (see below). Lacquer (polyurethane) gives a harder surface, better scratch resistance and longer time between recoats but is more complex to repair locally. For high‑traffic, sandy homes — lacquered engineered is often the practical choice. For sauna panels, intimate interiors and terraces, choose thermowood and oil as appropriate. For inspiration on interior applications and paneling options, see Interior Wood Wall Paneling, Thermowood.ae.
Maintenance schedule in plain language: remove sand daily with a soft broom or vacuum; damp mop weekly with a pH‑neutral cleaner (never flood); re‑oil oil‑finished floors every 6–12 months where wear is visible; plan lacquer recoats every 3–7 years depending on use. Use entry mats, felt pads on furniture, trim pet nails and manage UV exposure with blinds for sun‑facing rooms.
For hands‑on care routines tailored to Dubai homes, this wood floor care guide for Dubai homes is a useful reference.
Lifespans: engineered floors typically last 20–40 years with care; well‑maintained solid hardwood can exceed 25–50 years. Thermally modified decking installed correctly can last decades with minimal chemical maintenance. Consider a full sand and refinish when surface wear becomes widespread or stains penetrate the finish — usually after many years, not months.
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