Step Into Summer with ATS Timber Flooring and New Large-Format Tiles
Summer in New Zealand marks the beginning of longer days, high UV light, open windows, and weekends spent between the beach, the barbecue and the living room. It is also the time of year when homeowners begin noticing how flooring performs under heat, humidity, guest traffic and constant foot movement from indoor to outdoor spaces. This summer, our focus is on the surfaces that actually meet these seasonal demands: ATS Timber and our newly refined large-format tile collection.
Why Wide Plank Timber Flooring Performs Better in Summer
Natural light is strongest during the summer months which highlights not only colour but grain, plank width and the overall visual tone of the flooring. Wide plank timber has become the preferred option for homes with modern open floor plans because it eliminates excessive plank lines and creates longer, more uninterrupted visual flow. This wider surface appearance is especially effective when sunlight stretches across the flooring during peak daylight hours.
ATS Timber, at 190mm in width, offers a balance of natural grain, structural stability and contemporary appeal. The wider format is ideal for living rooms, beach homes, apartments, and family spaces that experience constant activity during the warmer months. Our ATS Timber flooring is also positioned to make premium-wide planks accessible, priced at $139 per square metre including supply and installation. This allows homeowners to achieve designer-level flooring without premium-market limitations.
For those seeking a more architectural finish, ATS Premium Timber offers a 260mm plank width that delivers a true statement profile. This wider format is suited to homes with high ceilings, open-plan layouts, floor-to-ceiling glazing, and indoor–outdoor flow. The wider surface enhances spatial perception and reduces visual interruption in large rooms. ATS Premium Timber is available at $190 per square metre including supply and installation, making extra-wide timber planks achievable at a lower cost than traditionally associated with this category.
Engineered Timber Built for New Zealand’s Seasonal Conditions
New Zealand’s coastal and summer climate is defined by salt air, humidity, indoor airflow, and heavy family use over holiday months. Engineered timber is specifically constructed to withstand environmental variation, including expansion and contraction caused by heat. The layered core of ATS engineered timber increases stability across varying moisture levels, which is essential for homes where doors remain open and air circulation changes frequently.
Whether the home is located in Auckland, Tauranga, Nelson, Christchurch or any region experiencing warm coastal summers, engineered timber provides a flooring surface that maintains dimensional stability and reduces seasonal movement. This makes it a reliable long-term investment when compared to products that rely on synthetic surface layers or plastic composite structures.
Large-Format Tiles for Increasing Light and Visual Space
As part of our flooring update, we have refined our tile offering to focus on formats that align with current construction trends, summer interior styling and contemporary renovation expectations. Larger tile dimensions minimise grout visibility, improve ease of cleaning and increase room brightness by reflecting more light across a consistently smooth surface.
Our 600 x 600 tiles are available at $17 per square metre for supply only. This format is ideal for kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms and modern living areas where a balanced grid layout is preferred.
Homeowners seeking a longer, more architectural tile layout may consider the 1200 x 600 large-format tile option, priced at $27 per square metre for supply only. This size is particularly effective in open-plan living, entranceways and bathrooms designed with linear drainage and modern wall-to-floor continuity. The extended length of each tile reduces grout interruptions and enhances spatial flow in areas exposed to high sunlight.
Refining Our Flooring Direction
You may have noticed that several previous product categories including SPC, laminate, Nordic lines and Timbertop have been removed from our website. This adjustment reflects a strategic move toward higher-performing, design-focused flooring options that meet current market expectations for longevity, sustainability and visual quality. While herringbone patterns remain available for those seeking traditional European flooring layout, our emphasis is now firmly on ATS Timber and large-format tiles, which align with both current build trends and long-term wear performance in New Zealand homes.
Summer as the Ideal Renovation Period
Summer is historically the most active period for flooring installation. Dry air, consistent temperature conditions and flexible scheduling during holidays create ideal timing for renovation work. Homes also experience more foot traffic, more kitchen spills, increased indoor–outdoor transition and more exposure to UV light. This makes durable timber flooring and large-format tiles not only design decisions but also practical considerations.
Our supply and installation model allows homeowners to streamline the renovation process by eliminating multi-contractor coordination. One brand, one installation team and one clear pricing structure ensures reduced project delays and consistent quality outcomes.
Begin Your Summer Upgrade
With brighter days now arriving, flooring becomes one of the most visible interior features in any home. If you are planning renovations this season, upgrading to wide plank ATS Timber or modern large-format tiles can significantly improve durability, visual continuity and everyday living comfort.
To arrange a measure and quote, or to learn more about ATS Timber and our flooring collections, contact us here
Written by Ollie Duncan