Traditionally used in the far east, bamboo floors have been gaining market share from wood floors in recent years. Many people find bamboo flooring to be both stylish and affordable, making it an attractive alternative for many people. But like any other flooring material, the bamboo floor also has its own pros and cons. So to see if it is better than wooden flooring or not, let’s have an in-depth look at bamboo flooring pros and cons!
What is Bamboo Flooring?
Despite the fact that the bamboo plant is a sort of grass rather than a tree, bamboo flooring acts very similarly to wood flooring—it may even be refinished in the same manner. Despite its softness, bamboo is as durable as most hardwoods and is extremely resistant to dampness. This is the reason why it has become so much popular as a flooring option.
As compared to trees, bamboo stalks can be harvested every five to six years, making them far more environmentally friendly than trees.
Is bamboo flooring expensive?
No bamboo flooring is not expensive; however, if you will get premium bamboo flooring, then you may find the prices high. It can cost as much as $9 a square foot to have solid bamboo floors, which are the most durable and premium too.
Engineered bamboo floors, which consist of numerous layers, may be purchased for as little as $3 per square foot, but the quality may be compromised. So obviously it is not expensive as compared to hardwood flooring, which refinishing cost is this much!
So, what are the bamboo flooring prices?
Uninstalled, bamboo flooring costs between $3 and $9 a square foot. The national average for this type of flooring is $3.84 per square foot. It’s thought to be easier to install than hardwood and is usually easier for people to do on their own. It is put down by gluing or nailing it to the floor below. It costs $3 to $5 per square foot to have a professional do the job.
So, you should be able to get some good-quality bamboo put in at a price of less than $10 per square foot for both materials and labor.
What are the Bamboo flooring pros and cons?
There are many good and bad things about bamboo flooring, but it also has a few more advantages over the hardwood flooring. Let’s have a look at all of them:
| Pros of Bamboo Flooring | Cons of Bamboo Flooring |
| Durability | Scratch Prone |
| Affordable | Moisture Sensitive |
| Easy Maintainance | limited Styles |
| Stylish and Contemporary | Toxic |
| Eco-Friendly | Potential for Softness |
| Variety | |
| Can Be Refinished | |
| Pest & Allergen resistant |
Pros of Bamboo Flooring
Even though bamboo is the most popular choice for eco-conscious homeowners wishing to construct with sustainably sourced materials, it also has a number of advantages that make it an excellent alternative for anybody shopping for new flooring. Let’s have a look at them:
1) Durability
High-quality bamboo flooring will wear and last just as long as standard hardwood flooring if it is properly installed. The most long-lasting sort of bamboo flooring is strand woven. It’s also the most expensive among the vertical and horizontal bamboo that is the most affordable.
You should buy bamboo flooring from high-end brands if you want to get a good return on your cash and investment.
Bamboo has a hardness that ranges from 1130 to 1640 on the Janka-Ball scale, which is used to measure the durability of wood.
So, in this case, it is better than hardwood flooring.
2) Affordable
The price of a square foot of bamboo flooring is between $3 and $5, less expensive than that of a hardwood floor. As with hardwood floors, the extra cost for installation tends to stay the same at about 4$.
You can install good-quality bamboo with green certification for less than $10 per square foot. This remains quite affordable when compared to the price of 16-22$ per square foot for leading brands of hardwood flooring.
3) Easy Maintainance
Maintaining bamboo floors is a pretty simple task. Regular dust and debris removal with sweeping and vacuuming should be sufficient. A gentle soap and water solution or a bamboo floor cleaner can be used to clean it up from time to time.
Many time-crunched homeowners will appreciate this feature much.
4) Stylish and Contemporary
Bamboo flooring is ideal for people inclined to a clean, contemporary appearance. The fashionable flooring option is attractive and, while comparable to hardwood, is distinctive.
5) Eco-Friendly
Traditional hardwood is derived from oak, rock maple, and hickory trees, which develop over a period of around 20 years before harvesting is viable. On the other hand, bamboo is classified as grass since it grows and develops over a five- to seven-year period and may be harvested without rebuilding the root structure.
6) Variety
There are several kinds and colors of bamboo flooring to choose from. It’s vital to know what the different hues mean, though, because the deeper colors usually result from a heat treatment that has softened the bamboo.
7) Can Be Refinished
Because bamboo flooring is susceptible to discoloration, denting, and scratching over time, it’s reassuring to know that they may be refinished as required. Sanding down the surface and then reapplying finishing coatings will restore the appearance of fresh bamboo flooring.
8) Pest & Allergen resistant
Termites are unable to digest some of the chemicals used to cure bamboo flooring. In general, the majority of bamboo flooring is pet-friendly.
Allergy sufferers will appreciate bamboo’s ability to keep out allergens, as well as its resistance to dust mites and pollen.
Cons of Bamboo Flooring
On the other hand, bamboo flooring has many of the same problems as hardwood floors. For anyone who is thinking about bamboo flooring, here are some bamboo flooring problems to look at:
1) Scratch Prone
While bamboo is quite resilient, its surface, like the majority of wood flooring, is readily scratched. Carbonized bamboo flooring, which has a deeper tone, is also noticeably more scratch-resistant.
Over time, furniture, dogs, and even pointy-heeled shoes may all cause damage to the surface of bamboo flooring, as can sand and other minute particles of daily life.
2) Moisture Sensitive
Because bamboo is grass, it is more susceptible to humidity than hardwood. Moisture in humid regions or rooms with frequent temperature fluctuations can cause floor planks to expand and buckle.
As a result, excessive moisture can lead to bending, fading, or even the formation of mold in bamboo.
3) Limited Styles
While bamboo’s distinctive, contemporary appearance and feel is one of its key selling points as a flooring material for modern spaces, this same current vibe may be a detriment when viewed through the lens of a beautiful home’s antique decor.
4) Toxic
Most bamboo flooring is made outside of the United States, where the quality control of the production process may be lacking. Toxic VOCs from adhesives and formaldehyde may be found in some bamboo flooring manufacturers that use these materials.
Bamboo flooring has about the same amount of formaldehyde as engineered hardwood flooring, and it’s only a concern for those who are particularly sensitive to it.
5) Potential for Softness
If bamboo is taken before it has matured and hardened, the flooring will appear beautiful at first but will be fragile and undurable. Uncarbonized and strand-woven bamboo floors are often more durable and firm, but darker bamboo has a weaker structure and a general softness.
Bamboo is quickly becoming the material of choice for many homeowners because of its attractive look and long-lasting resilience at a reasonable price. However, considering both the benefits and drawbacks of bamboo helps you compare prices and make an educated purchase decision.
When you work with trusted and reliable flooring dealers, they can help you find bamboo flooring products that work around their many flaws and make sure it’s high-quality.
So which one to choose? Bamboo vs. Hardwood Flooring?
Making a decision between bamboo and hardwood flooring might be difficult because of their comparable properties and price points. Bamboo is normally lighter in color than other hardwoods, but it can also be “carbonized” to produce darker varieties.
Because each board in a hardwood collection has its own grain pattern, the feel and grain of bamboo are more consistent. Finally, bamboo is a more environmentally-friendly resource than other wood-based products like pine because it is collected from living shoots that can regenerate.
Apart from this, there are several parallels between these two flooring materials—both require waterproofing, are slightly scratch-prone, and are recognized as luxury natural flooring choices that add value to your property.
So it is up to you which one to go for. But according to us, bamboo has the edge over hardwood flooring in today’s times!
Bottom Line
Bamboo flooring is quite similar to hardwood floors when it comes to their performance. There are minor levels of formaldehyde and VOCs in the resins of these flooring, which some persons with chemical sensitivity may be sensitive to. You should also avoid bamboo flooring if you reside in a wet location.
However, you can go for bamboo flooring after considering all the factors & its pros and cons!
We hope this article was helpful & informative. Leave your valuable thoughts & suggestions in the comments!
