The project

When Nadia Warren, builder and owner of N-Built, undertook a residential home extension in the Melbourne inner suburb of Brunswick West, she had a clear brief from her client – showcase the extensive use of structural mass timber. Nadia shared the client's vision for a sustainable modern transformation of the double fronted Victorian home. While retaining period detail at the front of the house, the interior, and new extension – including a rear studio with rooftop terrace – was about to receive an inspiring, and sustainable, new look.

"One of the most exciting features of the client's specification was the use of cross laminated timber (CLT) on the walls and ceiling," Nadia explains. "The CLT played a double role - it was structural, while also providing a beautiful exposed, natural finish."

The challenge

With timber floors, walls and ceilings acting as the 'hero' of N-Built's Brunswick extension, the challenge was to find a coating solution that would maintain the natural look of the timber, while offering excellent protection and durability against fingerprints, moisture, dirt, grease, and other factors that could damage the aesthetics.

An experienced carpenter, Nadia is also a certified Passive House Tradesperson and sits on the technical committee of the Housing Industry Association (HIA). Her priority on site is the safety of her team and subcontractors. The solution also needed to meet her requirements for a water-based, low odour, fast drying product that was safe for her and her team to handle.

The Intergrain solution

Nadia's search for the right coatings solution uncovered Intergrain Enviropro Invisible Floor Finish. Environmentally friendly and offering excellent protection and durability, it stood out as the one-pack solution Nadia and her client were seeking. Importantly, it was invisible – preserving the timber's natural colour and grain.

• Coats one and two: Intergrain Enviropro Invisible Floor Finish is a water-based, hard-wearing clear finish designed for most timber flooring and other interior timber. With new-generation technology, the product gives an invisible sheen finish that has the appearance of bare wood and provides the feel of natural timber. Ready to recoat in four hours, no priming required.

Nadia’s team applied Intergrain Enviropro Invisible Floor Finish to the CLT walls and ceiling structure of the Brunswick West build. Typically a coating used to protect or transform new and existing timber flooring, this 'out of the box' thinking proved to be the ultimate solution.

Intergrain Enviropro Invisible Floor Finish not only met Nadia and her client's expectations in terms of the aesthetic result, but also aligned perfectly with the project's commitment to sustainable, environmentally friendly practices.

The results

Nadia and the N-Built team achieved remarkable results with the passive solar designed extension project. Intergrain Enviropro Invisible Floor Finish provided superior protection while allowing the timber's natural beauty to shine through.

"The virtually invisible finish was the exact result the client was seeking," Nadia says. "It truly showcased the warm, organic feel of the CLT, delivering both a visually stunning and durable result."

Get in touch

The Intergrain Trade & Industrial team bring expert product knowledge, service and support to every professional timber flooring project. Call our Help Line on 1800 630 285 to find out how we can support your next project. Or visit our project gallery for more inspiration.

Photo credit: Jade Cantwell