Bamboo vs. Wood Flooring: A Comparison

Bamboo and wood are two popular flooring options, each with their own sets of pros and cons. This comprehensive guide compares bamboo vs wood flooring to help you decide which is better for your needs.

An Introduction to Bamboo Flooring

Bamboo flooring has surged in popularity in recent years as an eco-friendly and sustainable flooring choice. But what exactly is bamboo flooring and how does it compare to traditional wood floors?

What is Bamboo Flooring?

Bamboo flooring is made from the bamboo plant. Bamboo is technically a grass, but it is harvested and manufactured into floor planks similarly to hardwood floors. The bamboo stalks are cut into strips, boiled to remove starches, dried, and then laminated together under pressure.

The resulting flooring planks have a look and feel similar to many hardwood floors, but with notable differences in the grain patterns and coloring. Bamboo floors are available in many different stain colors from light to dark.

Benefits of Bamboo Floors

Here are some of the touted benefits of bamboo flooring:

Sustainability: Bamboo is among the fastest growing plants, reaching maturity in just 3-5 years compared to 50+ years for many hardwoods. It also does not require replanting after harvest. This makes bamboo a very renewable and sustainable flooring choice.
Strength: Bamboo flooring is typically twice as hard and dense as many oak wood floors. The compressed laminate bamboo planks are highly durable and resistant to scratches.
Stability: Bamboo flooring tends to be more stable and less prone to expansion/contraction issues compared to solid wood flooring. The laminate construction helps restrict excessive moisture absorption.
Affordability: While prices can vary, bamboo flooring is typically more affordable than traditional hardwoods for an attractive and durable floor.
Visual Appeal: Modern manufacturing techniques allow bamboo floors to mimic wood grain patterns. Strand woven bamboo has an appealing woven visual texture.

Drawbacks of Bamboo Flooring

Bamboo is not perfect, however, and there are some potential disadvantages to consider:

Not Actually Environmentally Friendly: While the raw material bamboo is eco-friendly, some manufacturing processes involving adhesives and finishes are less green. Look for low-VOC bamboo floors for the most eco-friendly choice.
Prone to Scratches: The outer finish on bamboo floors tends to be less scratch-resistant than wood floor finishes. Keeping pets nails trim can help avoid scratches.
Sensitive to Moisture: Although more stable than solid hardwood, bamboo flooring is still prone to some expansion/contraction and needs to be kept away from excessive moisture.
Makes Popping Noises: The compressed construction of bamboo floors means they cannot absorb sound as well and may creak or pop as they expand and contract.
Can’t Refinish: Unlike solid wood, refinishing and sanding bamboo floors typically damages the thin laminate veneer. So when the floor starts looking worn, replacement is the only option.
Variation Between Planks: There can be more variations between individual planks compared to hardwood. Blending planks from different boxes during installation can help minimize visible differences between planks.

What is Wood Flooring?

Wood flooring encompasses a wide range of products from solid hardwood planks to engineered wood floors. Some of the most common types of wood flooring include:

Solid Hardwood Flooring

Made from solid wood milled from a single piece of lumber.
Typically 3/4″ thick.
Available in oak, maple, cherry, hickory, walnut, and exotic woods.
Can be sanded and refinished many times.

Engineered Wood Flooring

Made by adhering a thin veneer of wood to a plywood or composite core.
Total thickness is 1/2″ or thinner.
More dimensionally stable than solid wood.
Can’t be refinished as often as solid wood.

Laminate Wood Flooring

Made by fusing photographic images of wood to a composite core.
Most affordable and easiest to install option but not as realistic looking as wood veneers.
Cannot be sanded or refinished.

Recycled Wood Flooring

Uses reclaimed wood from old buildings or spent wine barrels.
Has an eco-friendly appeal.
Limited availability depending on reclamation sources.

Acclimation is Key

One important tip for any wood flooring is to let it acclimate in the installation environment for several days before installation. This allows the wood to adjust to the room’s temperature and humidity helping prevent issues like gaps or cupping later on. Consult the manufacturer’s recommendations for proper acclimation.

Comparing Bamboo vs. Wood Flooring

Now that we’ve provided an overview of both bamboo and the various wood flooring options, let’s compare them across some key factors:

Cost and Affordability

Bamboo flooring is typically more affordable than premium hardwood floors, with prices ranging $2-8 per square foot installed.
Wood flooring has a wider range of price points depending on the species and type chosen:
Basic oak starts around $3 per square foot.
Exotic hardwoods can cost $9 per square foot or more.
Laminate and engineered floors are the most budget friendly, starting under $2 per square foot.

Appearance

Bamboo has a signature segmented grain pattern that looks different than wood. Strand woven bamboo has a distinctive “woven” look.
Bamboo is available in a range of stain colors from light to dark.
Wood offers wider variety of colors and grains. Exotic woods have unique and decorative patterns.
Laminate wood floors have a printed, photographic finish replicating wood grains. The patterns are not as varied or realistic as real wood veneer.

Environmental Sustainability

Bamboo is more renewable and sustainable than wood. It regrows rapidly without replanting.
Reclaimed and recycled wood floors have appeal from an environmental perspective.
When sourced responsibly, wood floors can also be sustainable, especially when choosing common domestic woods rather than exotics.
Adhesives and finishes for both bamboo and wood may involve VOCs. Seek out low-VOC options for enhanced sustainability.

Durability and Scratch Resistance

Properly finished hardwoods are quite durable, but prone to dents and scratches over time. Exotics like Brazilian cherry are exceptionally hard.
Bamboo is typically harder on the Janka hardness scale than oak, but has a thinner finish than wood veneer that may scratch more easily.
Laminate flooring is very scratch resistant but can chip or bubble with excess moisture.

Stability

Bamboo floors are more dimensionally stable than solid wood, reducing gaps and warping.
Engineered wood floors are more stable than solid wood, but may still react to humidity changes.
Ensure proper acclimation to the installation environment and maintain indoor humidity around 40-60% year-round. This helps minimize expansion and contraction for any flooring.

Noise Levels

Laminate and engineered floors offer the best sound absorption and insulation properties out of these options. The plywood core dampens sounds.
Bamboo’s laminate construction does not absorb as much noise. It can be noisy and creaky. Soundproof underlayment helps.
Solid hardwood also does not absorb sound as well, but is less noisy than bamboo. Rugs over the floor also reduce noise transfer.

Installation and Repairs

Engineered wood flooring is the easiest to install, even for DIYers. Floating click-lock planks go down fast.
Nailed down solid hardwood requires more skill but gives a customized appearance.
Glue down bamboo and wood provide the most natural appearance but are harder to install and repair. Nail down is an option too.
Bamboo and laminate cannot be refinished but wood floors can be refinished and repaired multiple times.

Moisture Resistance

Laminate floors offer the best moisture resistance. They can be used in basement and bathroom installations.
Bamboo and engineered hardwood have moderate moisture resistance due to their laminated construction. Avoid excessive water exposure.
Solid hardwood has the least moisture resistance. Water can lead to cupping, warping, and gapping.

Resale Value

Natural hardwood floors boost home value significantly, especially oak flooring.
Bamboo and laminate are good budget-friendly options but typically won’t increase value as much.
Any new floor will likely add more value than old, worn carpeting.

Pros and Cons Summary

Which is Better: Bamboo or Wood?

So what’s the final verdict between bamboo vs wood flooring? Here are some quick tips:

Bamboo is best if you prioritize an eco-friendly and sustainable option. It provides great durability and stability for the price.
Solid hardwood remains the premium flooring choice if budget allows. It offers timeless beauty, customization, and longevity.
Engineered wood floors are ideal for easy DIY installation and Added moisture resistance. Budget options mimic wood nicely.
Laminate wood is highly affordable but doesn’t look quite as realistic as veneers. Great for basements and bathrooms.

Ultimately, choose the flooring that aligns with your budget, lifestyle, and design goals. Both bamboo and wood floors have strengths that make them popular choices for residential and commercial projects. Doing your homework helps ensure you select the right flooring for each unique situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is bamboo flooring more expensive than hardwood?

In most cases, bamboo flooring has a lower material cost than traditional hardwood flooring. Average costs for bamboo range from $2-8 per square foot installed. Oak hardwood averages $3-9 per square foot but exotic woods can be over $10 per square foot.

How long does bamboo flooring last compared to hardwood?

With proper care, bamboo and hardwood floors can both last 50 years or longer. Laminate and engineered wood floors have a shorter lifespan of around 25 years. The key is keeping them well-maintained and protected from moisture.

Which hardwood flooring adds most value to a home?

According to real estate experts, oak wood flooring offers the biggest return on investment versus other woods or bamboo. Refinished oak floors can boost home value approximately 1.5% over homes with carpet.

Can you refinish bamboo floors?

Unfortunately, refinishing and sanding bamboo floors is not recommended. The thin laminate wears away quickly, exposing uneven sections of adhesive and fiber. Scrape and recoat is an option for minor surface repairs. Full replacement is needed over time to maintain appearance.

Is bamboo flooring scratch resistant?

Bamboo is typically harder and more scratch-resistant than oak, but tends to have less durable finish layers than hardwood. Keeping pet claws trimmed and using furniture pads helps minimize scratches. Hardwoods with thicker urethane finishes resist scratches better long-term.

Final Thoughts

Bamboo and wood floors each have attractive qualities depending on your needs and home. Seek out sustainable harvesting and low VOC adhesives for the most eco-friendly options. Focus on proper installation, humidity levels, and maintenance to get the most enjoyment from your new floors for decades to come. Consult flooring experts in your area for help selecting the perfect flooring for your next remodel or new construction project.