Home Builder Floor Choices: Hardwood vs Bamboo Flooring

Lots of people are choosing to install bamboo flooring in their homes in recent years. They’ve heard that it lasts a lot longer than most types of hardwood flooring, and it’s more ecologically sound. Bamboo has a number of other advantages, too, and it’s a good choice for many situations.

However, it might not be the right choice for everyone. Hardwood has a long tradition of use in homes, and works well with some antique house styles. Installing hardwood floors takes a lot longer than installing bamboo flooring, though for some people the traditional look of wood outweighs the inconvenience.

Bamboo is a spectacularly beautiful floor type, but it’s not the same as a traditional wood floor. Color variation in bamboo is minimal, so it tends to be more uniform than old fashioned wood.

While that’s a benefit from some people’s perspective, it’s a detraction for others. For those who aren’t concerned about color variation or traditional appearance, the choice is a little simpler. Installing bamboo flooring eliminates much of the mess and dust that comes with putting in a hardwood floor. The pieces come ready to put in, and are a lot more convenient.

For many homes, bamboo is a great choice. However, if you’re restoring an older building or really love traditional looks, you might not be happy with it. Fortunately, some manufacturers are creating bamboo that looks a lot more like hardwood. Soon, this may be an option, too.

Oak, maple, and similar hardwoods are the most common materials used in traditional floors. They’re beautiful and durable, but problems may occur over time. Wood can warp and splinter if exposed to heat and cold, or to changes in moisture.

Hardwood also tends to be costlier and less sustainable than bamboo. This amazing grass can grow as much as thirty centimeters in one day, and a grove can be harvested in just a few years. A hardwood forest takes decades to produce lumber, and many of these forests aren’t being maintained sustainably.

Since bamboo grows quickly, and requires no fertilizers, it can be sustainably farmed. That doesn’t mean that every bamboo crop is environmentally responsible, however. Some bamboo plantations, despite the advantages of this plant, are planting only one species and using fertilizers and pesticides on their crops. These bamboo sources are a lot less friendly than well managed bamboo.

These irresponsible practices are most common in countries with little regulation, such as China. A little research will tell you whether you’re getting quality, environmentally friendly bamboo or not. A large percentage of the products on the market are made with “good” bamboo - an important concern for those who want to decrease their impact on the world around them.

Compared to hardwood, bamboo will last a lot longer, and stand up better to daily wear. For those who are still concerned about the life of their bamboo floor, warranties are available. Remember that you get what you pay for - buy a product that’s made to last, rather than a bargain.

Where contraction and expansion are issues, you’ll find that bamboo offers a favorable performance. Unlike hardwood veneer floorings, bamboo will hold up to a number of resurfacings, and there’s no treatment or waxing required. To make sure you get a product that’s non toxic and fully sustainable, look for flooring that uses glues that won’t off gas and don’t contain toxic chemicals.

Anyone who’s curious about how bamboo flooring holds up when compared to hardwood should take a look online. It’s easy to see the whole range of available products and find out more about this great type of floor. It could be right for your home.