Engineered Wood: Your New ‘Real Timber’ Alternative

With the look and feel of natural timber, engineered wood represents a breakthrough material in furnishing the public realm.

As Jarrah becomes unavailable and select-grade Spotted Gum increasingly scarce, Street Furniture Australia has trialled numerous alternatives to ensure they can withstand demanding conditions. Testing can run for 12 months or more, and many products do not make the cut.

This new hardwood alternative performs well and offers the natural warmth of timber with simplified care, joining Wood Without Worry timber-look aluminium as part of Street Furniture Australia’s selection of low-maintenance materials.

What is engineered wood?
Onewood HRT (Homogeneous Reconstituted Timber) is a solid engineered timber designed for demanding outdoor environments. Its homogeneous structure and natural organic grain give the authentic appearance of hardwood.

Made from fast-growing FSC and PEFC-certified poplar and eucalyptus fibres, that are highly compressed under heat and pressure with a resin binder. Unlike plywood it is solid throughout, with an organic grain that closely resembles natural timber.

Street Furniture Australia partners with a Singapore-based supplier, with timber fibres sourced from eco-certified plantations in Vietnam and China.

A sustainable choice
Using fast-growing plantation fibres – and drawing from the whole tree rather than just the heartwood – engineered wood provides a more renewable alternative to slow-growing native hardwoods.

The battens are produced under certified sustainable manufacturing processes by both Street Furniture Australia (ISO14001, Climate Active certified) and our supplier partner (ISO14024, Singapore Green Label Scheme certified).

Durability and maintenance is also more simplified (see below) – extending the life of the material and therefore lowering the environmental impact.

High performer
Onewood HRT has passed Street Furniture Australia’s rigorous 12-month outdoor testing program. It resists cracking, tannin leaching, termites and water damage, while meeting BAL-29 fire standards. It requires less maintenance than natural timber.

Lower maintenance, lower cost
Unlike hardwood, re-oiling Onewood HRT is optional. The material weathers evenly to a silver patina without surface cracking, and can be sanded or refinished if desired. This simplified care reduces whole-of-life costs.

Engineered wood is also more cost-effective at purchase than natural hardwood.

Ready to specify
Engineered wood is available across the Linea and Piatto ranges in the 63×30 batten profile – including benches, seats, tables, bins, sun lounges and planters.

Rollout to additional products is also planned. Please enquire with our team to request a sample, or if you are interested in specifying engineered wood with other ranges.

Engineered wood battens on a Linea Bench.

Left: raw engineered wood, unoiled. Right: 12-month weathered oiled engineered wood, sanded back at the bottom to refresh.