When buying bamboo flooring supplies, there are many factors to consider. You have to choose the measurements, hue, and model of the planks in addition to the way they will be established. Prior to concluding your purchase, it is crucial to pose some vital queries to the seller or store. This guide can help you to understand the various factors to consider when looking for bamboo flooring, such as quality, expense, warranty, and all the varieties it comes in.

What Is Bamboo Flooring?

The bamboo plant, a species of grass, is used to produce bamboo flooring. This type of flooring is a cheaper alternative than regular hardwood and is really simple to clean, useful, and built to last.

How Is Bamboo Flooring Made?

To create bamboo flooring, the exterior of the stem must be taken away and then it is sliced into thin strips. These strips are then cooked in boric acid or mime to get rid of the sugars and starch.

The strips have been dehydrated and typically have a light tan hue, which is the natural shade of bamboo. Bamboo can also be stained in a variety of colors and hues. Caramelizing and spicing bamboo through the application of heat and pressure results in the material taking on a darker color before it is stained.

The last step is to bond several slats together using an adhesive to form boards. Today, many producers employ environmentally friendly glues, but it may be valuable to contact the merchant or producer before purchasing if this is a worry for you.

The planks are usually coated with a UV resistant anti-scratch aluminum oxide or coated with a UV resistant polyurethane finish to protect them.

Types of Bamboo Flooring

Colors

There is an abundance of colors to choose from when looking into bamboo flooring. Earlier it was said that darkening an item generally makes it not as strong; yet, one can use various types of stains and finishes to get any shade they desire. Examine the kind of finish that was applied to the bamboo flooring during the production process, because that will determine its durability.

There are a multitude of hues, coatings, and finishes available, such as a weathered look, bare so you can apply a finish to it if desired, lacquer, and matte, all while maintaining a more natural appearance. Additionally, you may also opt for an array of light to dark stains.

Horizontal, Vertical or Strand-Woven

The manner in which the bamboo slices are fused together will influence the appearance of the material’s surface.

  • Horizontal: The strips are laid flat side by side and on top of one another to build the plank, creating a look that shows fewer joint lines and more natural bamboo features.
  • Vertical: The slices of bamboo are stood up on their edges and pushed together to bind them, creating a surface that has more joint lines and fewer natural bamboo features.
  • Strand-Woven: This involves shredding the bamboo and then forcing it back together. This type of floor shows the fewest joint lines and natural wood features and has the most consistent look.

Buying Guide Summary

In summary here is a list of the pros and cons of bamboo flooring:

Pros:

  • Interesting aesthetic: Bamboo has an appearance like wood, but its inherent linear pattern is quite different from any hardwood flooring. There are also enough different types of bamboo flooring types and styles to offer plenty of choices according to your personal décor.
  • Durability: Bamboo is one of the hardest natural flooring products on the market, and good quality bamboo flooring can last for decades.
  • Sustainable: Bamboo grows abundantly, is renewable and does not need much water or fertilizer to grow. When bamboo is harvested, the stalk remains planted, and the plant regrows – it is naturally self-renewing!
  • Easy maintenance: Good bamboo flooring that has been properly sealed required little upkeep – regular vacuuming and damp-mopping is sufficient.
  • Mid-range cost: Bamboo is relatively affordable, with an average price of $4 per square foot.
  • DIY installation possible: Most bamboo flooring can be installed by proficient DIY-enthusiasts.
  • Refinishing possible: Some bamboo flooring can be refinished, if necessary; but be sure to check with the manufacturer.
  • Can be installed everywhere: We would recommend engineered bamboo for below grade and bathroom / utility room installation; solid bamboo is best suited for above grade and “dry” rooms.

Cons:

  • Not that popular: The unique look of bamboo flooring is not to everyone’s taste. If you’re looking for a quick return on a property development, then bamboo might not be the best choice as it is not as popular as more traditional hardwood flooring.
  • Overstated eco-credentials: Much is made of how sustainable bamboo is. But whilst it is indisputable that bamboo grows quickly, making it into flooring requires chemicals and adhesives and transporting it from Asia to the US market uses a lot more carbon than domestic hardwood flooring.

Buying Considerations for a Bamboo Floor

Quality

No one measurement of evaluation can be applied to determine the value of bamboo materials. Dealers will often separate their items into two groups- Grade A and Grade B- but these are merely made up classifications. In order to guarantee top-notch supplies, you must track down a trustworthy seller who can provide goods from dependable sources. Attempt to keep away from discounted bamboo outlets that sell inferior materials for suspiciously low prices.

Warranty

Most reliable merchants will provide a guarantee when buying flooring supplies. Typically, there is a guarantee for the structural strength of bamboo flooring. You may be able to receive a warranty on the surface of your pre-finished flooring.

Generally, bamboo flooring of a higher caliber will include an extended and more comprehensive warranty. The typical guarantee period for a residential construction will be between 10 and 25 years and the covering for the finish is generally valid for between 5 and 10 years.

Strength and Durability

The power of bamboo compared to other hardwood flooring materials varies based on multiple factors.

The lighter the bamboo is, the sturdier it will be. The dark colors are a result of carbonization, a process that requires a high amount of heat and pressure to be placed on the bamboo. This both changes the color and weakens the material.

The harvesting season of the bamboo can influence how long-lasting and tough it is. The optimal moment to harvest bamboo stalks is five years after planting them. If the crop is harvested too early or too late, the resulting material will be weaker.

The most long-lasting bamboo flooring will be made from strand woven materials. The bamboo stalk is cut into shreds, then formed into a block with the help of adhesive and force applied. The block is divided into sections that can be used for flooring.

Relative Hardness

Strand-woven bamboo has the same level of strength and durability as Brazilian cherry hardwood.

Natural bamboo = Red oak hardwood

Bamboo thats been carbonized to give it a darker colour is similar to that of black walnut hardwood, however it is much softer and can easily be scratched and dented.

Maintenance

Maintaining a bamboo floor is fairly simple; similar to hardwood floors, it should be vacuumed, wiped, or damp mopped regularly. This flooring can experience scratches, fading, or even dents with time, depending on the quality of the material used. The higher the quality, the lower the risk of this occurring. But if it does require maintenance, unless it is engineered bamboo flooring, it can be quickly restored to its former condition using sandpaper and new stain.

Bamboo flooring will not be affected by water damage, but it is not completely impervious to it. Organic matter is susceptible to mold, and humidity levels can lead to swelling and warping of the planking. Hardwood flooring is known to be more resistant to cracking than other types of flooring.

Surface Treatment

The cost of bamboo materials is usually significantly affected by the kind of UV finish that is used on the surface. Materials that are of a low standard will usually just have two or three layers put on them. The optimum is to have a layer of coating on each of the six sides of the plank six to seven times to obstruct moisture from coming through. Aluminum oxide is viewed as one of the most exceptional finishes accessible.

Cost

Bamboo flooring is an affordable choice of material, with the cost per square foot varying depending on a number of factors. It typically runs $2.00 – $9.00 per square foot. If you opt to have a trained expert put in the floor for you, an additional charge of approximately $4.00 to $5.00 for each square foot should be taken into consideration.

In determining the cost of your flooring, remember to include the cost of extra material that might be required due to cuts or waste. For instance, when dealing with a room that has 200 square feet of area, you ought to buy between 230 and 240 square feet of flooring to factor in allowances. It may be necessary to fix or patch up the floor beneath before putting down the new floor covering. You may opt for a vapor barrier or underlayment, which would require an increase in expenses.

Is Bamboo Considered Environmentally Friendly?

The most important environmental advantage of bamboo is its sustainability throughout its life cycle. A positive aspect of the plant is that it flourishes profusely and regenerates quickly, thereby not requiring the complete extraction of its roots from the soil, which is beneficial for plantation owners.

Bamboo is great in that it’s low maintenance; it doesn’t need much in terms of water or fertilizer and its deep roots prevent landslides.

It is said that bamboo groves that are dense and covered in foliage can take in more carbon dioxide than numerous trees and produce a lot more oxygen. Although there is not much evidence from trustworthy sources to back this idea up.

A point to consider is that since bamboo is mainly grown in China and Asia, significant carbon emissions occur in transporting the product to global customers.

The process of transforming bamboo stalks into flooring requires the use of chemicals and adhesives which are not necessarily environmentally friendly. Furthermore, since bamboo plantations are monocultures, they do not host the same diversity of species as normal hardwood forests.

Bamboo presents some very advantageous environment-friendly qualities, most notably in terms of its sustainability; however, it is not a miracle solution for saving the world.

Can I Buy Bamboo Look Flooring Alternatives?

If you favor the aesthetic of bamboo flooring but don’t want to choose bamboo, you can opt for vinyl or laminate flooring that mimics the appearance of bamboo. If the cost of real bamboo flooring is too expensive or it wouldn’t be suitable for your home, you might want to consider vinyl or laminate flooring which are often more affordable and tougher.

So, What Makes Bamboo a Great Choice for Flooring?

It has been noted that bamboo have good lasting capacity and are fairly eco-friendly, making it an excellent choice. It is not difficult to maintain and is reasonably priced (check out the information regarding cost and care below).

At Home Flooring Pros, we find that one of the main advantages to using bamboo flooring is its eye-catching look. If you want a distinct look for your flooring without going too far out of the ordinary, laminate flooring could be a good choice.

Installation Costs for Bamboo Flooring

It is estimated that it would cost approximately $3 for each square foot to install bamboo flooring in its simplest form.

The final cost of installing bamboo flooring is contingent upon a few different determinants, such as the grade and kind of subfloor, if there is an existing floor that needs to be taken off, and if any machines or items that can’t be taken away must be taken into account.

The cost of your bamboo flooring setup will be influenced by the skill and credibility of the contractors you hire. The Home Flooring Pros suggest that you should obtain a few comprehensive estimates and reviews prior to deciding on the most appropriate contractor to carry out your flooring job.

We have learned that if you think one specialist will produce better results, but they quote a higher cost than someone else, inquire whether they are able to match the opponent’s quote, or come as close to it as possible. Have your competitor’s written estimation ready to show the contractor. Take into account that the finer builder may cost more because of the sophisticated craftsmanship you will get. Put succinctly, it might be beneficial to spend a little more for a job to be done properly.

What Else Can I Do to Save Money on Bamboo Flooring?

In addition to searching for the most financially-suitable contractors, you can save money on your flooring project by selecting specific tasks that do not necessarily require a professional.

Before you embark on the job of laying a new floor, several steps must be taken. These include clearing out all preexisting floors, trims, and doors; making sure the subfloor is level and in good shape – that is, repairing it if necessary; and guaranteeing the subfloor is pristine and completely dry ahead of proceeding with the project.

Jonathan
Author: Jonathan