# Mafi

> Mafi is an Austrian manufacturer of premium natural wood flooring operated by mafi Naturholzboden GmbH in Schneegattern, Upper Austria [1]. The maker specializes in a signature symmetrical three-layer construction using the same timber species on the face and backing layer with a transverse conifer core, naturally finished with air-dried plant oils and chemical-free thermal treatments [2] [3].

Source page: https://www.misterendgrain.com/manufacturers/mafi/
Updated: 2026-11-04

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Company entity | mafi Naturholzboden GmbH, Utzweihstraße 25, 5212 Schneegattern, Austria [1] |
| Website | mafi.com [1] |
| Compliance & standard | CE directives in accordance with ÖNORM EN 14342 [1] |
| Core construction | Symmetrical three-layer structure with identical wood species and thermal treatment on surface and back layer, and a 90° softwood middle core [2] |
| Plank dimensions | Dimensions up to 5 m in length and 30 cm in width; Thin-Plank format at 10 mm total thickness for renovations [2] |
| Surface treatment | Air-dried natural linseed oil-based finish; no varnish, UV oil, or plastic surface films [3] |
| Thermal modification | Vulcano heat and steam treatment without chemical additives, stains, or pigments [3] |

Company: mafi Naturholzboden GmbH, Schneegattern, Austria, https://mafi.com

Mafi is an Austrian producer of high-end [engineered wood flooring](https://www.misterendgrain.com/flooring/engineered-wood/), solid wood stairs and wall elements. Headquartered in Upper Austria, the company is recognised for its commitment to unlacquered, open-pored timber surfaces and balanced multi-layer engineering. This profile summarises the specifications, construction methods and technical data published on the manufacturer's official website.

## What is the corporate background of Mafi?

According to company registration records on its official website, the business operates as mafi Naturholzboden GmbH, with corporate headquarters and manufacturing facilities located at Utzweihstraße 25, 5212 Schneegattern, Austria [1]. 

All Mafi natural wood floors comply with European CE directives in accordance with ÖNORM EN 14342 [1]. The company operates international flagship showrooms in Salzburg, Vienna, Milan and Schindellegi (Switzerland), distributing its bespoke floors to residential and commercial architectural projects globally [1].

## How are Mafi planks constructed?

Mafi places central emphasis on a symmetrical three-layer board architecture designed to counteract the hygroscopic movement of natural timber [2]:

- **Symmetrical balance:** Both the top surface lamella and the bottom backing layer are made from the exact same wood species, subject to identical drying and thermal conditioning [2]. Because both exterior layers exert equal mechanical tension against relative humidity changes, the board resists cupping, warping and tension cracking [2].
- **Softwood core:** The transverse middle core consists of Austrian softwood (spruce) glued at a 90° angle to the face lamellas, dampening dimensional changes across the board width [2].
- **Adhesive standard:** Layers are laminated using formaldehyde-free PVAc white glue, preventing off-gassing and VOC emissions [2].
- **Dimensions and formats:** Mafi produces single-strip [wide-plank flooring](https://www.misterendgrain.com/flooring/wide-plank/) in lengths up to 5 metres and widths up to 300 mm [2]. For renovation projects with restricted thresholds, the company manufactures a 10 mm "Thin-Plank" format comprising a 3 mm top layer, a 90° softwood core, and a 1.8 mm balancing backing [2].

## What surface treatments and thermal processes are used?

Mafi adheres strictly to natural surface treatments without film-forming coatings [3]:

- **Air-dried natural oils:** Planks are treated exclusively with natural linseed-oil-based finishes that penetrate deep into the cellular structure of the timber without forming a plastic coating on top [3]. Pores remain open and breathable, allowing the wood to regulate indoor humidity and feel warm underfoot [3].
- **Vulcano thermo-treatment:** To achieve deep brown and dark shades without synthetic stains or chemical dyes, Mafi subjects regional timbers to heat and steam in its proprietary "Vulcano" process [3]. The heat alters the sugar compounds within the wood cells, colouring the timber evenly through its full depth while substantially reducing shrinkage and swelling behaviour [3].

Alongside Austrian peers such as [Admonter](https://www.misterendgrain.com/manufacturers/admonter/) and Swiss makers like [Bauwerk](https://www.misterendgrain.com/manufacturers/bauwerk/), Mafi is widely specified for low-emission interiors requiring verified ecological standards.

## Frequently asked questions

### Where are Mafi natural wood floors manufactured?

Mafi manufactures its natural wood floors at its headquarters and production facility located at Utzweihstraße 25 in 5212 Schneegattern, Austria [1].

### What is Mafi's symmetrical plank construction?

Mafi constructs its planks using a three-layer system where the visible top wear layer and the bottom backing layer are made from the same timber species with identical thermal treatment, balanced around a perpendicular softwood core and bonded with formaldehyde-free white glue [2].

### How does Mafi finish its wood surfaces?

Mafi avoids synthetic varnishes and UV oils, finishing boards exclusively with natural linseed-oil-based finishes that penetrate open pores and cure naturally through contact with ambient air [3].

### What is Mafi Vulcano wood?

Vulcano is Mafi's chemical-free thermo-treatment process using only heat and steam to darken European hardwoods and softwoods all the way through, providing rich tones while enhancing dimensional stability [3].

## Sources

1. [Imprint & Company Information](https://mafi.com/en/imprint), mafi Naturholzboden GmbH, accessed 2026-11-04
2. [Symmetrical Plank Structure](https://mafi.com/en/Knowledge/The%20Difference/Symmetrical%20Plank%20Structure), mafi Naturholzboden GmbH, accessed 2026-11-04
3. [Evolutionary Surface](https://mafi.com/en/Knowledge/The%20Difference/Evolutionary%20Surface), mafi Naturholzboden GmbH, accessed 2026-11-04