Durability

Though it may come as a surprise to many, bamboo flooring is in fact quite strong and durable. On the Janka hardness scale, which measures the hardness of different types of wood, natural, un-carbonized bamboo come in at the middle of the scale, with ratings of 1380 and 1180, that was properly harvested and manufactured can be as durable as red oak. Because of the manufacturing process, the strand woven bamboo is much harder, with a rating of 3000, it sits towards the top of the scale, which means it’s comparable (though a little softer) than Brazilian walnut. Bamboo, whether in solid or strand form, would have all its natural characteristics.

A Stylish Flooring Option

Bamboo is a trendy flooring material that can elevate the elegance of a space almost instantly. For those drawn to a clean, modern aesthetic, bamboo flooring lends itself to that style perfectly. It has an appearance and a feel that is similar to hardwood and yet, is still distinct and different. The differences can be subtle yet undeniable. The trendy flooring option is elegant which can add an ineffable quality to a room.

Variety

One benefit of bamboo flooring is that it is available in a variety of styles and colors. An extensive range that includes vertical bamboo flooring, horizontal bamboo flooring, carbonized bamboo flooring, natural bamboo flooring, hand scraped bamboo flooring, tinted bamboo flooring, etc., ensures that the customer has a pool of options to choose from. You can opt for myriad designs and colors as well: natural bamboo—light blonde color, carbonized bamboo—darker in color because the sugars in the plant caramelize due to longer boiling times, and stained bamboo—colored with a variety of stains available in light, medium, and dark shades. You may also opt for refinishes or laminates to make the floor all the more appealing. No matter what taste there is to consider, bamboo flooring has an option guaranteed to please.

Cost Effective

Do you dream of hardwood floors but don’t think they’re within your budget? Bamboo flooring is a happy compromise, it is available at a more budget-friendly price point. When considering the durability of the flooring combined with its exotic, unique flair and eco-friendly factor, it is one of the most cost effective options for a home because it is less likely to need repair in the long run.

Easy Maintenance

Bamboo flooring is fairly low maintenance, as special cleaning agents are not needed and in fact should be avoided. You just have to sweep or vacuum it regularly to remove small particle debris. You can also occasional damp mop it, or clean it with a non-wax, non-alkaline, hardwood or bamboo floor cleanser. This is a huge pro to many time-crunched homeowners.

Somewhat Water Resistant

In further comparison to traditional hardwood flooring, bamboo is slightly more resistant to water damage, stains, and warping, although it is still not exempt from damage.

Able to Be Refinished

Because bamboo floors can become discolored, dented, or scratched over time, it is lucky that the surface of this material can be refinished, sanding it down and then reapplying the finishing coats to achieve the look of new bamboo flooring. The amount of sanding that can be done will be determined by the thickness of the planks used. So, you can do this once every few years as long as the floor is thick and layered enough.

Water Damage

As mentioned above, bamboo has good water and moisture resistance properties than the average hardwood. But it is still a natural material made of organic elements, too much moisture will cause warping, discoloration, or even mold growth.The reason is, water lying on a bamboo floor for a prolonged period can eventually seep in causing the bamboo to swell and weaken.So we should take care to clean bamboo floors and keep them dry and devoid of moisture.

Sensitivity to Humidity

If the bamboo flooring is installed in a very humid area, the moisture in the air can cause the floor planks to plump up (expand). In a dry environment, the planks can shrink. Either way, the bamboo will likely crack.

Avoid Wet Areas

Bamboo flooring can be installed in almost any room, above or below the ground, over wood, OSB (Oriented Strand Board), and existing vinyl flooring. While the durable flooring is suitable for high traffic areas, as well as areas prone to scratching and denting, the kitchen, the laundry room, and bedrooms, it is not suitable in areas prone to excessive wetness such as bathrooms. You cannot have bamboo floors in any place that is expected to get wet. Extended exposure to moisture can cause a bamboo flooring to warp, bend, or swell.

Prone to Scratches

While a bamboo floor is relatively easy to maintain, lower quality bamboo dents or scratches fairly easily, although it is nearly impossible to keep any type of bamboo flooring perfect if it is used regularly. There are a wide variety of things that can cause nasty scratches in the surface of a bamboo floor. High heels, pet claws, furniture legs, and even pointy heeled shoes can all damage the surface over time, as can sand or the tiny particles of everyday life. However, this is not something that is limited only to bamboo flooring; wood flooring is also susceptible to the same condition.

Durability

Hardwood flooring. Today’s wood floor finishes are durable, water resistant and require minimal maintenance. In addition, hardwood floors can withstand more wear and tear than average, but can be scratched if objects with sharp edges come into contact with the floor. Also, a properly installed a hardwood floor resists stains and doesn’t hold moisture the way carpets do. The durability of hardwood flooring depends on a number of factors, such as whether the floor is finished, type of wood used, what type of room it is in, and how well it is maintained. Hardwood cannot be installed in basements. Properly finished and well-maintained hardwood floors can last for decades. And as time goes by, the charm of hardwood floors multiply, and since they last for a very long time, generations of people can benefit from this one-time investment.

Cost

Bamboo flooring. The rapid growth of bamboo plants makes them a much more economical crop to grow and harvest for flooring, only from $2 to $8 per square foot. So, the cost of bamboo is much cheaper than traditional hardwood flooring, frequently coming in at less than half the price of a standard wood floor. Apart from extravagant high-end bamboo flooring product, there are cheaper ones that even homeowners who are on a tight budget can realistically afford.

Hardwood flooring. One of the biggest disadvantages of hardwood flooring is the expense. As of publication time, the cost for hardwood flooring, can range from $6 per square foot for a basic product to $20 per square foot for luxury-level materials. In fact, it is much higher than that of bamboo flooring. What’s worse, additional money must be handed out to the professional installers, since laying out the planks must not be entrusted to amateurs.

Varieties

Maintenance

Bamboo flooring. Many people are finding it easier to care for bamboo floors than to get stains out of carpet. A simple sweep daily and application of a mop once a week is all that is required to keep the bamboo flooring clean. You do not have to worry about the amount of foot traffic or any spilled drinks because it is easy to clean and maintain. Wet mops should be avoided when cleaning bamboo floors. Dust mops and stiff brooms are enough for general cleaning, and a well wrung-out mop can be used if necessary. Cleaning agents that are safe for use on hardwood floors can also be used on bamboo. Worn or scratched bamboo floors can be sanded down and refinished, rather than needing a full replacement.

Resale value

Installation

Experience

Allergen Friendly

Moisture resistance

Bamboo flooring. Bamboo flooring is usually laminated and blemished that makes it a floor that fights off moisture. And due to this feature, it’s very much suitable for use in areas of the house where moisture is aplenty. For example, this type of natural flooring is particularly good for kitchens and bathrooms.

Hardwood flooring. Hardwood flooring is prone to moisture penetration, discoloration, or warping. Engineered hardwood is slightly more water resistant alternatively.

Prone to damage

Bamboo flooring. The bamboo material is much vulnerable in a sense that such floor is likely to show dents and scratches that arise from direct contact with spiky and sharp objects. Bamboo is also prone to bleaching out when exposed to a lot of direct sunlight, so it can have issues in sunny rooms over time.

Hardwood flooring. Hardwood is a living material that reacts to variations in humidity and wears naturally over time so it is not as durable and tough as other floorings. Thus, this flooring is less suited for installation in a wider range of climates. It is prone to stains, scratches and fading can be quite approached by moisture so you have to be careful of spillages and leaks in your home.

Environmental Impact

Hardwood flooring. Hardwood is extremely environmentally friendly since it’s a natural resource. It’s recyclable and renewable. But when comes to the production of hardwood flooring, it isn’t exactly as environmentally friendly as it is billed to be. Unlike bamboo which is ready for harvest in as short as 5 years, hardwood takes many years to replenish. So if wood is cut down on a large scale, it will make a negative impact on the environment. So it is best to be purchased from environmentally responsible manufacturers to avoid over-harvesting.

Quality

Bamboo flooring. Cheap, poorly manufactured bamboo, made from immature stalks, not only cups can emit a lot of formaldehyde and other chemical toxins. Definitely, you should purchase flooring which has been made of materials harvested for about five years, otherwise it will be weaker.

Hardwood flooring. Due to the lack of oversight in some of the wood produced overseas, there is a safety risk with some cheaper wood. So most of all, it would be the best to get some research on the different dealers that offer hardwood flooring before finally plunging into any purchase.