Few flooring types enhance the value of a home and provide a better return on investment than wood. For centuries, hardwood floors have been used for their beauty and durability. Newer materials being introduced to the market, such as bamboo flooring, offer similar aesthetics while still being a more sustainable product.
Characteristics of bamboo and hardwood
(i) Characteristics of Bamboo
Classification and Characteristics
Often sold in the same category as real hardwood, bamboo is actually a fast-growing grass that comes in more than a thousand varieties. However, not all types of bamboo are made into bamboo flooring, so it can be difficult to tell which type you are buying. Bamboo is often used as a veneer on top of a plywood core. Although today’s bamboo flooring is relatively new, it is in fact one of the oldest materials known to man, rivaling hardwood in reputation (and even older).
Appearance
While traditional bamboo flooring will show grass “knuckles” in the planks, the appearance of strand-woven bamboo is more similar to that of traditional hardwood with a simulated grain pattern. Bamboo is available in a variety of stains and colors, and some types darken in color and appearance by heating the planks to soften the sugars, but at the same time the planks will be softer and easier to scratch.
Moisture and Mold Growth
In general, bamboo is more resistant to moisture and mold than hardwood. Engineered bamboo flooring can be used underground, but traditional bamboo flooring expands when exposed to moisture and should not be used in wet areas such as kitchens, bathrooms and basements.
Maintenance
Bamboo has similar maintenance needs to hardwood, requiring regular wet mopping or vacuuming with an agitator-less, bristle wand to prevent scratching. Bamboo can only be refinished once or twice before the veneer wears out and has a service life of approximately 25 – 35 years.
Environmental impact
Bamboo can be harvested within 5 years, making it a more sustainable product. Bamboo flooring is more environmentally friendly as it can be produced with low Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) and contains no formaldehyde.
Durability
Depending on the type, bamboo flooring may scratch or dent more easily and cannot be repaired as often as hardwood.
(ii) Characteristics of Hardwood
Classification and Characteristics
Hardwood flooring can be made from a solid piece of wood or designed as several layers of plywood under a hardwood veneer.
Appearance
Wood species vary greatly in color and grain patterns, and hardwood floors can take on many different appearances.
Moisture and Mold Growth
Wire-woven hardwood floors and solid hardwood floors are particularly susceptible to moisture and should not be used underground or in basements. Engineered hardwood flooring resists moisture and will not swell on contact, allowing it to be used anywhere.
Maintenance
The great thing about hardwood is that it can be sanded and refinished many times, especially since solid hardwood is much easier to refinish than engineered hardwood and has a life expectancy of up to 100 years.
Environmental impact
Hardwood can be considered a renewable and sustainable material, and is environmentally friendly as it can be produced in a low VOC and formaldehyde-free manner. However, it takes longer to grow and renew, with most trees taking up to 70 years to harvest.
Durability
Hardwood floors are more durable than bamboo, wear longer and require less maintenance.
Installation
Both bamboo and hardwood flooring are available in glued and interlocking planks, and hardwood also has a nail-installation type. Interlocking planks are relatively easy to install, and the tongue-and-groove edge design allows DIY homeowners to install them as well. Glued and nailed installations are more difficult and require professional installation to ensure good results. Glued flooring costs are roughly the same for bamboo and hardwood, but nailed hardwood flooring costs more to install than bamboo. The average cost to install hardwood is about $8.75 per square foot, while installing bamboo costs closer to $5.
IV. Cost Differences
Both bamboo and hardwood come in a variety of styles, sizes, and species, which can affect the final cost. The average material cost for bamboo is about $5 to $6 per square foot, and the installation cost is about $10 per square foot. Hardwood costs start at around $3.50 per square foot, but material and installation costs can be as high as $12.50 per square foot, averaging 50 to 200 percent more than bamboo. Certain species and finishes of hardwood cost less, though, such as prefinished solid wood flooring from exotic species that can be more expensive due to high shipping costs, and wider plank flooring and flooring with special finishes (such as wire brushed) can also cost more. Most bamboo flooring sold in the U.S. is Moso, with fewer variations and relatively more stable costs.
V. Appearance Variations
Wood species vary greatly in color and grain patterns, and hardwood floors can have many different appearances. While there are different species of bamboo, there are usually only a few different looks to a floor.
VI. Moisture and Mold Problems
Both wood and bamboo flooring are affected by moisture. Wire-woven bamboo floors and solid hardwood floors are sensitive to moisture and should not be used underground or in basements. Generally, bamboo is more resistant to moisture and mold than hardwood. Engineered bamboo flooring and engineered hardwood flooring can be used anywhere because they are moisture resistant and do not swell on contact. Traditional bamboo flooring swells on contact with moisture and cannot be used in wet areas.
Maintenance Requirements
Hardwood and bamboo have similar maintenance needs, both should be wet mopped or vacuum cleaned regularly with an agitator-less, bristle wand to prevent scratches. Hardwood can be sanded and refinished many times, and solid hardwood is easier to refinish than engineered hardwood, with a service life of up to 100 years; bamboo can only be refinished once or twice, with a service life of about 25 – 35 years.
Environmental impact
Both hardwood and bamboo can be considered renewable and sustainable materials. Hardwoods take a long time to grow and renew, with most trees taking 70 years to harvest; bamboo can be harvested in five years and is more sustainable. Both can be produced in a low VOC and formaldehyde-free manner, making them more environmentally friendly.
Durability
Hardwood floors are more durable than bamboo, wear longer and require less maintenance. Bamboo flooring may scratch or dent more easily and cannot be repaired as often as hardwood.
X. Radiant Heat Flooring
Both bamboo and hardwood flooring can be installed over radiant heat, but should be installed with a floating installation or interlocking tongue and groove edges rather than glued or nailed. Radiant floor heating is not recommended under planks wider than 3 inches, or the floor may be damaged quickly by constant temperature changes and condensation buildup.
