Red Tongue Flooring Vs Yellow Tongue: Which is Better?

When evaluating what type of structural particle board flooring you need for a flooring job, the first thing that stands out is the variety of colours available for the PVC tongue insert, followed quickly by the question 'what colour indicates what?' What is the difference between the red tongue and yellow tongue? Which one do I go for?

When choosing flooring for the first time, it can be strange to hear these terms. In this blog, we'll go through the specific distinctions between red tongue flooring vs yellow tongue flooring so you can choose which one best fits the needs of your flooring project.

Structural Particleboard Flooring

Standard is structural grade particleboard sheet flooring for use in domestic and residential buildings. It is particularly suited to platform construction (where the floor is laid prior to erection of walls) as well as fitted floor construction.

What is Red tongue flooring?

Red tongue flooring is a 22mm thick particle board sheet flooring that may be used in both domestic and commercial construction. Australian Panel Products, previously Borg Manufacturing, produces the item under the trade name STRUCTAFlor. It is generally utilised for subfloors with a joist spacing of no more than 600mm and is suitable for internal use in residential construction. It comes in 3600x600mm and 3600x800mm widths. Additionally, it is offered in two termite-treated varieties: TERMIFl or and R-Flor, all of which have foil backing. Some red tongue flooring features include:

● Enhanced moisture protection, edges are wax coated and wax impregnated.

● Minimised moisture ingress.

● Uncut edges don't require sealing.

● Termite resistant

What is Yellow tongue flooring?

Yellow tongue flooring is a 19mm thick structural grade particle board, marketed as STRUCTAFlor by Australian Panel Products. It is designed for household interior use and is especially well suited to platform construction, which is typically used for subfloors with a joist spacing of no more than 450mm before the construction of walls. It comes in widths of 3600x800 and 3600x600mm in terms of dimensions. It is intended to tolerate a brief duration (a few months) of intermittent rain exposure during the construction process; therefore its waterproof quality is more of a matter of resistance. Each sheet is about 30 kilograms in weight. Features of yellow tongue flooring include:

● Yellow tongue coloured edge wax that is used to identify the type of floor.

● Tongues that are uniquely coloured to indicate thickness.

● up to 450mm for joist centres.

● Termite resistant

What Is The Difference Between Red Tongue vs Yellow Tongue Flooring?

The thickness of the particleboard is the primary difference between red tongue and yellow tongue flooring. This also changes the required distance for joist centres. Red tongue allows for joist centres up to 600mm and Yellow Tongue allows for joist centres up to 450mm.

Red Tongue Flooring Vs Yellow Tongue: Which One to Go for?

Yellow requires a 450mm maximum joist spacing width and is 19 millimetres thick. Red can be utilised at 600mm joist spacing widths and is 22mm thick. Both products are produced under the STRUCTAFl or brand and meet AS/NZS 1860.1 Australian and New Zealand standards.

If you have trouble finding the right particleboard flooring, get in touch with Canterbury Timbers today. Our knowledgeable staff can help you understand the use and other details as well as help you pick the right flooring.

Call our experts at 1300 791 229 or send an email to [email protected] for further information.