Recycled Blackbutt in a High-Performance Home
June 2026
We recently visited this Deakin project while Light House Archiscience conducted an air leakage test, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the performance side of residential construction. An air leakage test, also known as a blower door test, measures how much uncontrolled air enters and escapes through gaps in a home's building envelope.
Blackbutt / Dense Browns was used for the flooring, stair treads, door and furniture
Blackbutt / Dense Browns remilled flooring
During the test, a large calibrated fan is temporarily fitted into an external doorway to either pressurise or depressurise the house, making hidden draughts and leaks easier to detect. Using pressure gauges and thermal imaging cameras, the testing team can identify where air is leaking around windows, doors, skirting boards, joinery, service penetrations and other construction details.
The results help builders, designers and homeowners understand how efficiently a home performs, with better airtightness generally leading to improved comfort, lower heating and cooling costs, and a more durable building overall.
The project passed its air leakage test with flying colours, demonstrating the attention to detail that went into both the design and construction of the home. Strong airtightness results don't happen by accident. They require careful planning, quality workmanship and a commitment to building performance throughout the entire project.
Light House Archiscience can assist if you're interested in learning more about air leakage testing and high-performance home design.
We worked closely with Aspect Building Projects, the builders on this project. We supplied the clean dressed Blackbutt / Dense Browns flooring and stair treads, along with recycled Blackbutt timber that was used to create the bookcase, front door, door jamb and bay window seat.
This project is a great example of how recycled timber can be used throughout a home to create a consistent material palette. Rather than limiting timber to the floor, the same species has been carried through multiple architectural features, creating a sense of continuity from room to room.
Blackbutt Dense Browns Remilled Flooring
Clean dressed, 78mm recycled timber floorboards in Blackbutt / Dense Browns.
The density and hardness of Blackbutt / Dense Browns makes it well suited to flooring, stair treads, benchtops and furniture. Its rich mid-brown tones work comfortably alongside a wide range of interior styles, making it one of our most versatile recycled timber options.
The recycled timber flooring in this project uses our standard 78mm wide boards with tongue and groove profiles for a seamless fit. The boards have been remilled and clean dressed, creating a refined finish while still showcasing the original timber.
The matching stair treads provide a natural extension of the flooring, helping connect the different levels of the home. Recycled timber stair treads are suitable for both internal and external applications, whether it's a staircase connecting living spaces or steps leading from a deck into the garden.
Blackbutt / Dense Browns stair treads and bookcase
Timber Supply – Door and Jamb, Bookcase and Bay Window Seat
The front door creates a welcoming first impression and features a design similar to our Insulated Clad Door. The door, jamb and frame were all manufactured from recycled Blackbutt / Dense Browns. While we supplied the timber for this project, the door and associated joinery were expertly constructed and installed by Aspect Building Projects.
A door jamb is the vertical section of the door frame that the door attaches to and interacts with when opening, closing and locking. When manufacturing a new solid timber front door, it's generally best practice to pair it with a new jamb to ensure the entire assembly works together correctly and performs as intended over the long term.
The recycled Blackbutt timber was also used to create a custom bookcase and bay window seat. Positioned within a projecting window recess, a bay window seat provides a comfortable place to sit while making the most of natural light and views. Similar to a benchtop in its construction, it requires stable, well-seasoned timber that can withstand daily use while maintaining its appearance over time.
Using the same timber species across the flooring, stair treads, door, joinery and window seat creates a cohesive design language throughout the home. Rather than appearing as individual features, these elements work together to establish a consistent architectural character. The rich tones and natural variation of the recycled Blackbutt add depth and warmth, while the repeated use of the material helps unify the spaces.
Planning Your Own Recycled Timber Project?
Whether you're building a new home, undertaking a renovation or working with an architect, builder or joiner, recycled timber can be incorporated into far more than just flooring. From stair treads, front doors and window seats through to custom joinery, furniture and benchtops, the right timber can help tie an entire project together.
If you're planning a project and would like to discuss timber species, applications, sizing or manufacturing options, get in touch with the team at Thor's Hammer. We can help you select the right recycled timber for your project and either manufacture selected items in-house or supply timber for your preferred builder, joiner or cabinetmaker.
Photography Bianca Knox
