Bamboo floor is better than hardwood in many aspects, such as durability, sustainability, cost, and variety. Bamboo is a fast-growing grass that can be harvested every 3-5 years, while hardwood trees take decades to mature. Bamboo is also more resistant to moisture, scratches, and stains than hardwood, making it ideal for high-traffic areas. Bamboo floor is typically cheaper than hardwood, as it requires less labor and materials to produce. Bamboo also offers a wide range of colors, styles, and finishes to suit different preferences and decor.
However, bamboo floor is not without its drawbacks. Bamboo is susceptible to fading, warping, and cracking due to extreme temperature changes and exposure to sunlight. Bamboo also has a lower resale value than hardwood, as it is less popular and recognized among home buyers. Bamboo may also contain harmful chemicals, such as formaldehyde, that can affect indoor air quality and health.
Therefore, the choice between bamboo and hardwood floor depends on several factors, such as budget, lifestyle, location, and personal taste. Bamboo floor is a great option for those who want an eco-friendly, durable, and affordable flooring material. Hardwood floor is a classic choice for those who value elegance, warmth, and longevity.
To help you decide which flooring option is best for you, let’s compare bamboo and hardwood in terms of their pros and cons.
Durability
Bamboo is generally more durable than hardwood, as it has a higher Janka hardness rating. The Janka hardness test measures the force required to embed a steel ball into a wood sample. The higher the rating, the harder the wood. Bamboo has an average rating of 1,400, while hardwood ranges from 600 to 900. This means that bamboo is more resistant to dents, scratches, and wear and tear than hardwood.
However, not all bamboo floors are created equal. The durability of bamboo depends on the type, quality, and manufacturing process of the bamboo. There are three main types of bamboo floors: horizontal, vertical, and strand-woven. Horizontal and vertical bamboo floors are made by cutting and gluing bamboo strips together. Strand-woven bamboo floors are made by shredding and compressing bamboo fibers under high pressure and heat. Strand-woven bamboo is the strongest and most durable type of bamboo, as it has a Janka rating of over 3,000.
The quality and manufacturing process of bamboo also affect its durability. Bamboo floors that are made from mature bamboo stalks, harvested at the right time, and treated with low-emission adhesives are more durable than those that are made from immature bamboo, harvested too early or too late, and treated with high-emission adhesives. Bamboo floors that are carbonized, meaning heated to achieve a darker color, are also less durable than those that are natural or stained, as carbonization weakens the bamboo fibers.
Hardwood, on the other hand, has a more consistent and reliable durability. The durability of hardwood depends mainly on the species of wood, rather than the type, quality, or manufacturing process. Hardwood floors are made from solid wood planks that are cut from different types of trees, such as oak, maple, cherry, walnut, and hickory. Each species of wood has its own Janka rating, which reflects its hardness and durability. For example, oak has a rating of 1,290, maple has a rating of 1,450, and hickory has a rating of 1,820.
Hardwood floors are also more resistant to fading, warping, and cracking than bamboo floors, as they can better handle temperature and humidity changes. Hardwood floors can also be refinished multiple times, which can restore their appearance and extend their lifespan. Bamboo floors, however, can only be refinished once or twice, depending on the thickness of the bamboo layer.
Sustainability
Bamboo is more sustainable than hardwood, as it is a renewable and biodegradable resource. Bamboo is a type of grass that grows very fast and can be harvested every 3-5 years, without the need for replanting or fertilizing. Bamboo also absorbs more carbon dioxide and produces more oxygen than hardwood trees, which helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality.
However, bamboo is not completely eco-friendly, as it may involve some environmental and social issues. Bamboo is mostly grown in China, where there are no strict regulations or certifications for bamboo production and processing. Bamboo cultivation may cause deforestation, soil erosion, water pollution, and loss of biodiversity, as natural forests are cleared to make room for bamboo plantations. Bamboo processing may also use harmful chemicals, such as formaldehyde, that can leach into the soil and water, and emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can affect indoor air quality and health. Bamboo transportation may also consume a lot of fossil fuels and generate a lot of carbon emissions, as bamboo has to be shipped from China to other parts of the world.
Hardwood, on the other hand, is less sustainable than bamboo, as it is a non-renewable and slow-growing resource. Hardwood trees take decades to mature and can only be harvested once, which means that they are not easily replenished. Hardwood also consumes more land and water than bamboo, which puts more pressure on natural resources and ecosystems.
However, hardwood is not entirely eco-unfriendly, as it may have some environmental and social benefits. Hardwood is mostly grown in the US, where there are strict regulations and certifications for hardwood production and processing. Hardwood cultivation may support forest management, wildlife conservation, and rural development, as hardwood forests are maintained and protected by responsible and certified foresters. Hardwood processing may also use less chemicals than bamboo, as hardwood floors are made from natural wood planks that are sanded and finished with low-VOC coatings. Hardwood transportation may also consume less fossil fuels and generate less carbon emissions than bamboo, as hardwood is sourced locally or regionally.
Cost
Bamboo is typically cheaper than hardwood, as it requires less labor and materials to produce. Bamboo is easier to cut, glue, and finish than hardwood, which reduces the manufacturing costs. Bamboo is also more abundant and available than hardwood, which lowers the supply costs. Bamboo floor costs an average of $3 to $5 per square foot, while hardwood floor costs an average of $5 to $10 per square foot.
However, the cost of bamboo may vary depending on the type, quality, and installation of the bamboo. As mentioned earlier, strand-woven bamboo is the most durable and expensive type of bamboo, while horizontal and vertical bamboo are less durable and cheaper. The quality and manufacturing process of bamboo also affect its cost, as higher-quality and lower-emission bamboo floors are more expensive than lower-quality and higher-emission bamboo floors. The installation of bamboo may also add to the cost, as bamboo floors require professional installation, which can cost $2 to $4 per square foot.
The cost of hardwood may also vary depending on the species, quality, and installation of the wood. As mentioned earlier, different species of wood have different hardness and durability, which affect their price. For example, oak is the most common and affordable hardwood, while walnut is the most rare and expensive hardwood. The quality and manufacturing process of hardwood also affect its cost, as higher-quality and lower-VOC hardwood floors are more expensive than lower-quality and higher-VOC hardwood floors. The installation of hardwood may also add to the cost, as hardwood floors require professional installation, which can cost $3 to $5 per square foot.
Bamboo offers a wide range of colors, styles, and finishes to suit different preferences and decor. Bamboo can be natural, carbonized, or stained to achieve different shades of color, from light to dark. Bamboo can also be horizontal, vertical, or strand-woven to create different patterns and textures, from smooth to knotty. Bamboo can also be finished with different types of coatings, such as matte, glossy, or hand-scraped, to enhance its appearance and protection.
However, bamboo has a limited variety of grain and knot patterns, as it is made from grass rather than wood. Bamboo also tends to have a more uniform and modern look, which may not appeal to those who prefer a more rustic and traditional look.
Hardwood, on the other hand, has a limited range of colors, styles, and finishes to suit different preferences and decor. Hardwood can be natural, stained, or painted to achieve different shades of color, from light to dark. Hardwood can also be solid or engineered to create different levels of stability and versatility, from rigid to flexible. Hardwood can also be finished with different types of coatings, such as matte, glossy, or hand-scraped, to enhance its appearance and protection.
However, hardwood has a wide variety of grain and knot patterns, as it is made from wood rather than grass. Hardwood also tends to have a more diverse and classic look, which may appeal to those who prefer a more rustic and traditional look.
Conclusion
Bamboo floor is better than hardwood in many aspects, such as durability, sustainability, cost, and variety. However, bamboo floor is not without its drawbacks, such as fading, warping, cracking, and lower resale value. Therefore, the choice between bamboo and hardwood floor depends on several factors, such as budget, lifestyle, location, and personal taste. Bamboo floor is a great option for those who want an eco-friendly, durable, and affordable flooring material. Hardwood floor is a classic choice for those who value elegance, warmth, and longevity.
