There are different types of bamboo flooring just like there are different types of hardwood both are available in glue down and interlocking planks while hardwood is also available in a nail down installation type interlocking planks of both types are fairly easy to install.
Is bamboo hardwood flooring any good.
It has a thin layer of bamboo laminated onto plywood the same type of construction used for other engineered flooring.
Look for flooring with a substantial warranty.
Bamboo is a grass that grows very quickly which means that bamboo flooring is more sustainable than hardwood flooring which requires felling trees that are decades old.
You won t find too many choices in this category is bamboo flooring good.
Cali bamboo s fossilized bamboo flooring is the strongest bamboo flooring on the market today and has a score of 5 000 on the janka hardness test.
Bamboo does have a couple of downsides.
Properly finished bamboo flooring cleans easily with a mop and mild soap.
However bamboo does have a few detracting points.
In addition bamboo doesn t have a grading scale like most hardwood floors.
Floating engineered floors work best.
Bamboo is harvested after three to seven years making it an excellent renewable resource for flooring.
For those who prefer modern décor bamboo flooring has a clean contemporary look.
Because it s grass not wood it s.
This lack of scale can make choosing a quality bamboo flooring brand more difficult.
But understanding the benefits and drawbacks of any type of flooring before installation is.
But like wood bamboo can be scratched and it is prone to cracking in conditions where humidity levels swing dramatically.
A closer look at bamboo flooring.
Hardwood flooring costs roughly 4 to 8 per square foot for standard materials such as hard maple or red oak while more unusual hardwoods can cost upwards of 10 per square foot.
The tongue and groove edges of the planks mean that anyone can install them including diy homeowners.
As long as they re installed and acclimated correctly over a suitable subfloor.
The least expensive bamboo option is engineered bamboo flooring.
Bamboo flooring has an average price of about 3 80 per square foot within a range of 2 to 5 per square foot.
Our experience in hot or dry areas such as arizona colorado or california is that floatingengineered floors seem to work best for both bamboo and hardwood.
Bamboo flooring has a chic exotic look but is still relatively inexpensive which makes it a highly appealing flooring option for many.
For example bamboo flooring that isn t properly boiled steamed and dried can shrink after installation causing unsightly gaps.
However not all bamboo flooring is created equal.
Bamboo floors have become more popular in recent years due to their many similarities to hardwood flooring.
The pros cons.