Bevelled vs Straight Cut Timber Flooring: What’s the Difference and Does It Matter

When choosing timber flooring, most people focus on colour, grain, and finish — but the edge profile of the board plays a subtle yet important role in the final look and feel of your floor. Two common edge styles are bevelled and straight cut, and understanding the difference can help you make a more informed, confident choice.

At Sunstar Timber Flooring, we offer both — with our Australian hardwoods featuring a premium straight cut, and our European oaks designed with a micro bevel for a refined finish.

What Is a Bevelled Edge?

A bevelled edge refers to a slight angled cut along the edge of each floorboard. When installed, this creates a small V-shaped groove between boards, which adds definition and texture to the floor.

There are different types of bevels:

• Micro bevel: A very subtle groove, often just 0.5–1mm deep, that gives a clean, crisp line without exaggerating gaps.
• Standard bevel: A deeper groove that creates more pronounced shadow lines and a more rustic or traditional look.

Benefits of Bevelled Edges:

• Helps mask minor height variations between boards
• Adds visual interest and definition

What Is a Straight Cut Board?

A straight cut board has no bevel — the edges are cut square, so when installed, the boards sit flush against each other with minimal visible joins. This creates a seamless, smooth surface that feels modern, premium, and uninterrupted.

Why We Use Straight Cut for Our Australian Hardwoods:Our Australian hardwood range is crafted with precision straight cuts to showcase the natural beauty of the timber without distraction. This edge profile enhances the clean lines and rich grain of species like Spotted Gum, Blackbutt, and Tasmanian Oak — making them some of the best-performing and most visually striking floors on the market.

Choosing What’s Right for Your Space

• If you’re after a sleek, contemporary finish, our straight cut Australian hardwoods offer unmatched clarity and cohesion.
• If you prefer a subtle framed look with a touch of texture, our European oaks with micro bevels deliver a neat, elegant result.

Both options are engineered for durability and aesthetic appeal — it simply comes down to the style and atmosphere you want to create.

Explore Our Range

Whether you’re drawn to the seamless sophistication of straight cut boards or the refined detail of micro bevels, Sunstar Timber Flooring has a solution tailored to your space.

Browse our full collection online and use our RoomViewer tool to see how different floors look in your own home. For in-person advice and product viewing, visit one of our trusted stockists — you can find your nearest location via our Stockist Page.

We’re here to help you make confident, inspired choices.

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