Why Wide Plank Timber Is the New Summer Essential for Kiwi Homes
As New Zealand enters the warmer months, homeowners are rethinking how their interiors feel and function. Open spaces, breezy layouts and natural finishes are defining the summer build and renovation season, and nothing aligns with that aesthetic quite like wide plank timber flooring. ATS Timber and ATS Premium Timber have become standout choices, offering both design impact and long-term practicality suited to Auckland and Northland living.
The Appeal of Wide Plank Design
Wide plank timber creates a sense of openness that standard-width boards simply cannot achieve. ATS Timber at 190mm and ATS Premium Timber at 260mm offer broader surface lines, enhancing the visual width of any room. The result is cleaner sightlines, fewer board joins and a modern, calming finish that complements summer-led interior design.
In coastal regions such as Northland and seaside parts of Auckland, homeowners are increasingly choosing wide planks for their ability to deliver that relaxed, sunlit holiday feel right inside the home. The wider format supports contemporary styling, Scandinavian influences and minimal interiors while still presenting warm natural character.
Natural Timber for a Natural Climate
The humidity and heat experienced from late spring into early February can challenge many flooring types. Engineered wide plank timber is built for the New Zealand climate, offering greater stability than solid hardwood due to its layered construction. This means reduced movement, fewer concerns around expansion and contraction, and improved long-term durability.
ATS Timber is designed specifically for busy households, coastal conditions and changing temperatures. Whether your space is exposed to open windows, sea breezes or high foot traffic from summer gatherings, wide plank timber remains reliable and visually consistent.
Cost Without Compromise
Choosing premium aesthetics does not have to mean investing beyond reach. ATS Timber is offered at $139 per square metre for supply and installation, making wide plank timber more accessible than most traditional premium flooring options. For those who want extra visual impact, ATS Premium Timber delivers a 260mm wide format priced at $190 per square metre.
Both formats allow homeowners to achieve a high-end architectural look without the high-end markup. The aesthetic quality is immediate, minimalistic and refined.
Summer Light, Summer Living
Summer naturally brings more sunlight into the home. Wider timber boards allow that light to travel more evenly across the floor, reducing visual interruption and enhancing natural warmth. Light oak tones, neutral grains and matte finishes also help reduce glare and maintain a soft interior aesthetic.
The result is a floor that looks just as inviting at dawn with beachfront air drifting through open sliders as it does during evening entertaining.
Made for Rugs, Bare Feet and Indoor/Outdoor Flow
Wide plank timber sits beautifully alongside seasonal décor. Summer rugs, linen furnishings, woven accents and natural fibres pair effortlessly with ATS Timber’s clean lines. In Auckland and Northland, where outdoor living is part of daily life, wide planks also support seamless movement from deck to dining room, lounge to courtyard and kitchen to pool area.
Wide planks enhance that sense of openness that New Zealand homeowners value—especially during the months spent hosting visitors, BBQ gatherings and long weekends.
Built for Today, Timeless for Tomorrow
While wide plank timber is trending, its appeal is not temporary. The broader format has been used in heritage builds and luxury European homes for decades, prized for its scale, texture and understated grandeur. This positions ATS Timber and ATS Premium Timber not just as a summer feature, but as a long-term investment in the style and value of the home.
Summer is the ideal time to refresh interiors, and wide plank engineered timber continues to stand out as the flooring choice that defines modern New Zealand living. If you want to take advantage of our wide planks then contact us here!