Laminate Flooring They are natural and durable but expensive. Bamboo Flooring They are cheaper and are growing in popularity. While hardwood floors can last up to 75 to 100 years, bamboo floors have a lifespan of 10 to 25 years. Both types of floors are prone to warping due to the humidity of the environment.
Bamboo Flooring and Hardwood Flooring Comparison Chart
| Bamboo Flooring | Hardwood Flooring | |
| Durability | 10-25 years, depending on the nature of the bamboo and the material added. 30-50 years if well maintained and reappears as needed. | It depends on several factors, such as whether the floor is finished, the type of wood used, what room it is in, and how well it is maintained. It cannot be installed in basements. Well-finished and well-maintained hardwood floors can last for decades. |
| Material | Mainly Chinese bamboo material processed with adhesives. | Wood; Wood from harvested trees, mostly angiosperms. |
| Cost | $ 2 – $ 5 per square foot. | In general, the more complex the hardwood is, the more expensive it is and durable. Including labor costs for installation, most hardwood floors are between $ 8 and $ 15 per square foot. |
| Source | Natural, but with chemical bonds. | Natural |
| Installation | Nail or interlaced | It used to be very difficult to install; Errors can be frustrating and costly. Today, most hardwood floors are pre-cut into easy-to-install groove and groove boards. |
| Resistance to humidity | Somewhat waterproof but more prone to warping due to ambient humidity. | It is prone to moisture penetration, discoloration or deformation—slightly more water-resistant alternative engineered hardwood. |
| Restoration | It can be quickly restored | It can be quickly restored to a new condition. |
| Prone to damage | Yes | Prone to scratching and moisture damage. |
| Introduction | A bamboo floor is a type of flooring made from the bamboo plant. Most of today’s bamboo flooring products originate from China and other parts of Asia. Moso bamboo is the most commonly used species for flooring. | Wood flooring is any product made of wood designed to be used as a structural or aesthetic flooring. Solid wood floors are made from milled planks from a single piece of wood. |
| Resale value | Well | Excellent |
Composition
Bamboo flooring can be made from many different bamboo species with other properties, but Moso bamboo is the most popular high-quality option. Harvested at a total density at 5-6 years of age, it is more challenging even than maple and oak hardwoods. Engineered bamboo flooring material (also called braided bamboo) is more durable than natural bamboo. Still, it is primarily processed from its natural state as it is peeled, boiled, cut, joined, and pressed. Lighter-colored bamboo is more complex than darker bamboo, as the charring process used to darken the wood makes it softer.
Hardwood floors are made from natural hardwood from wood harvested in forested areas. The price depends on the tree. For example, the most expensive hardwood comes from mahogany, wenge, and teak. The softest hardwood used in flooring is pine, and it is pretty inexpensive. Another option for areas prone to moisture, such as a concrete subfloor, is engineered hardwood. It consists of a layer of hardwood over plywood or fiberboard, which allows for some expansion and contraction.
Advantage
Good quality bamboo flooring can compete with expensive hardwood flooring in terms of durability and appearance. Modern processing techniques allow all kinds of colors and textures. In terms of comparing the hardness between bamboo and hardwood floors, bamboo is the cheapest option. Because it is grass, bamboo performs slightly better than wood in repelling moisture and mold growth.
Hardwood floors can last for generations if they are well maintained. Depending on the wood and the treatment, the bed can be highly resistant to damage and repaired or restored. Hardwood flooring is also in demand by home buyers and can increase the resale value of the home it provides.
Disadvantages
The cheaper bamboo options are likely to be soft and easily damaged, so higher quality products seem to be the only durable options. The most demanding bamboo flooring products are treated with formaldehyde and other toxic binding agents. Homeowners have reported a tendency for bamboo to lose some of its colors in areas that receive constant sunlight. Bamboo floors can warp over time in humid environments.
Hardwood flooring is comparatively more expensive than bamboo. As a natural material, hardwood is prone to staining, warping, and discoloration from exposure to the sun and water, as well as substantial changes in temperature and humidity levels. This makes hardwood unsuitable for installation in bathrooms and some kitchens.
Installation
While hardwood or bamboo flooring can be installed as a DIY project, it is best done by professional contractors unless done by a DIY expert. Hardwood and bamboo floors often require steps that include laying, nailing, stapling, cutting the base plate, and filling the holes with wood putty.
Replacement and maintenance
Wet mops should be avoided when cleaning bamboo floors. Dust mops and stiff brooms are sufficient for general cleaning, and a well-wrung mop can be used if necessary. Cleaning agents that are safe to use on hardwood floors and can also be used on bamboo. Worn or scratched bamboo floors can be sanded and refinished, rather than needing a complete replacement.
Hardwood floor maintenance is relatively easy and includes keeping grit off the surface by sweeping and wiping with a damp cloth. Most worn and damaged hardwood floors can be repaired or restored rather than replaced. Still, when the damage is severe enough to require replacement, the damaged planks can be lifted and replaced with the appropriate material.
Environmental considerations
The recent increase in the use of bamboo flooring is partially attributed to its marketing as a green product. It is undoubtedly highly renewable in the sense that it only takes 3 to 5 years for bamboo plants to mature, rather than 70 or 80 years for some hardwoods, and bamboo plants that are trimmed can grow back. But environmental considerations are not that simple. As most bamboo is imported from China, there is some regulation on the environmental impacts of growing and processing bamboo.
Hardwood is highly environmentally friendly as it is a natural resource. It is recyclable and renewable and is best purchased from ecologically responsible manufacturers to avoid overexploitation.
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