BAMBOO PLANK FLOORING (Guide)

The World’s Hardest FloorsTM will transform your residence or place of business.

Different types of bamboo flooring exist. With a 50-year warranty, Cali Bamboo flooring is produced using our patented Fossilized® manufacturing method, giving it a density that is twice that of any other hardwood floor on earth.

BAMBOO PLANK FLOORING, Cali Bamboo is ultra-low VOC, the ideal combination of longevity, sustainability, and durability, and is preferred by contractors, builders, and do-it-yourself homeowners.

Bamboo plank flooring is a type of hardwood flooring that is eco-friendly and sustainable. It comes in various colors and styles, including waterproof, engineered, and natural wood. The cost of bamboo flooring varies depending on the type of flooring you choose. Engineered bamboo flooring is typically less expensive than solid bamboo flooring. You can find bamboo plank flooring at home improvement stores like Home Depot or Floor & Decor.

Video: How to Install Bamboo Flooring (Tongue & Groove)

Flooring planks articles How to Install Glue Down Vinyl Plank Flooring and How to Stagger Vinyl Plank Flooring

The use of bamboo flooring planks

Bamboo flooring comes in various unique styles and looks and feels similar to classic hardwoods. As bamboo withstands daily use in high-traffic areas or households with active children and dogs, it is ideal if you’re searching for a sturdy, dent-resistant choice.

From light grays and whites to rich wines and browns, bamboo flooring Products come in a wide variety. Generally speaking, bamboo flooring is a reasonable and straightforward option to install and maintain.

You can choose the ideal bamboo flooring for the interiors of your house from one of our two selections at LL Flooring.

Water-Resistant Collection for Splashes and Spills

A high-tech core behind the natural bamboo surface layer of our water-resistant bamboo collection offers effective water resistance for up to 72 continuous hours while retaining all the warmth and beauty of natural bamboo. So, without worrying about water on the bathroom floor, you may feel free to dry your kids off and put them to bed.

Enhanced Strength Engineered Flooring from the Bamboo Collection

While lacking some of the natural flooring’s beauty, engineered bamboo flooring offers all the benefits of contemporary technology. Natural bamboo veneer is used in its construction, which gives it increased strength and dimensional stability often at a low cost—and is adhered to a cross-grained plywood or MDF core.

When bamboo flooring is put in, it provides your home with the same coziness and rustic appeal as regular hardwood, but it may also add a contemporary, new spin to the traditional style. Explore our entire selection to update your interiors with a magnificent look that is gentle on the environment and easy on your money.

The Whole Story of Bamboo Hardwood Flooring

Despite being around for two decades, bamboo flooring may as well be brand-new despite not being new. Recent improvements in manufacturing have improved its functionality and varied its appearance. However, the most significant adjustment was the introduction of highly dense “strand-woven” bamboo, which could be cut into boards that were 2.5 times as durable as red oak.

They can also be made in various wood-look designs that are pretty different from what most people connect with the material, including common species like maple and walnut and rare ones like tigerwood and cumaru. As a result, green Building Supply’s president, Joel Hirshberg, who has been selling bamboo flooring for 16 years, “strand-woven has converted bamboo’s reputation from an eco-product to a significant player, giving the appearance and durability of Brazilian hardwoods for two-thirds the cost.”

Whether you simply want something a bit different from what all your neighbors have, prefer the idea of rebuilding with sustainability in mind, or love affordability, here is what you need to know about buying and installing the bamboo flooring that is currently available.

Since bamboo is grass, the kind used for flooring differs from the plant that grows in a pot on your desk. This explains the difference in bamboo used for flooring. Moso bamboo matures over the following five years, reaching its full height of 40 to 80 feet in its first year and thickening to 6 to 8 inches in diameter.

How environmentally friendly is the plank bamboo flooring?

In China, where most bamboo planks are produced, the Moso bamboo species (Phyllostachys edulis ‘Moso’) grows naturally. Without clear-cutting, it may be harvested stalk by stalk and regenerate in five to six years, making it a quickly renewable resource. Some businesses, but not all, will disclose if their raw materials come from ethically run plantations. In addition, not all products have Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification yet.

Looking for third-party certification is still your best chance if you’re concerned about formaldehyde and VOC emissions from chemical-containing adhesives and finishes used in the finished product (FloorScore and GREENGUARD are two of the most popular).

What to Look For in Thickness in Bamboo Wood Flooring

Engineered planks range in thickness from 3/8 to 12 inches, whereas solid boards range in thicknesses ranging from 1/2 to 5/8 inches. Engineered planks, made with a bamboo veneer on top of a plywood or bamboo substrate for extra stability, are suitable for floating flooring in moist or arid situations. In addition, bamboo planks 34 inches thick and unfinished will be available for on-site sanding.

Width

Three hundred thirty-four inches is the standard width for solid bamboo flooring, but 4- to 6-inch widths are gaining popularity. Micro-beveled edges hide unevenness between boards, just like prefinished wood floors do. Both conventional horizontal or vertical bamboo flooring and click-together engineered planks have square edges.

Hardness

Although there is a lot of variances across products, vertical and horizontal bamboo floor cost considerations often have a Janka hardness value of 1,825, which is more complex than hickory. The score for strand-woven can be almost quadruple, about 3,270, making it similar to Brazilian redwood. To find out if independent testing has been conducted, visit corporate websites.

Finishes

Like hardwood floors, more scratches will be visible with a glossier finish. However, in contrast to finishes that are done on-site, factory-applied finishes provide higher longevity but need more expertise and labor to replace. (See the following slide for details.)

Air quality

Adhesive resin is bamboo flooring’s secondary key component. Formaldehyde, a recognized carcinogen, may release from inexpensive urea-based resins. To ensure it won’t emit significant VOCs, look for independent certification, such as one from GREENGUARD or a new Floor Score.

Cost and advice for installing bamboo plank flooring

Putting down bamboo flooring

Bamboo flooring is available in a variety of products, including:

Similar to solid hardwood, solid bamboo planks are inserted. Typically, tongue-and-groove boards are blind-nailed to the subfloor through their edges. Over an existing concrete floor, solid bamboo stalk planks can also be cemented down. Experts often install bamboo planks that are nailed or glued down.

Solid bamboo also comes in thinner varieties intended to be installed as floating floors. Floating bamboo flooring can occasionally be placed using a modified tongue-and-groove system called “click-lock,” in which the boards’ edges mechanically connect. If the edges of the boards are bonded together, the planks may also have the typical tongue-and-groove pattern.

 In either case, the entire floor is supported by a thin layer of bamboo veneer foam underlayment and is not fixed to the subfloor. This kind of installation is more straightforward for do-it-yourselfers and enables the floor to expand and contract when humidity levels vary.

A surface veneer has adhered to a core made of plywood or MDF to create engineered bamboo. These products always install using the click-lock floating floor system. Engineered bamboo costs less than solid bamboo and is typically installed by do-it-yourselfers.

If refinishing is not included, who must seal the flooring with urethane after installation? Most bamboo flooring products are prefinished at the factory before top-coating with a urethane sealant, which can also stain bare bamboo boards.

Top bamboo hardwood flooring Brands

Bamboo flooring options are offered by most of the leading hardwood flooring producers. However, it’s a good idea to check out the bamboo-specific producers for the best choice and product quality:

Plyboo: 

This business employs a resin made from soy that doesn’t contain formaldehyde. Because of this, the finished product is more expensive (up to $6 per square foot), but it also makes for some of the most attractive and healthy bamboo floorings.

Cali Bamboo Flooring:

This business offers more than 30 distinct options, such as solid bamboo flooring, hardwood flooring, and engineered bamboo in various hues. They also consist of some bamboo flooring items created to operate well in environments with a lot of dampness.

Peregrine:

This company is renowned for the ethical treatment of its workforce and sustainable farming methods. Its bamboo flooring products are regarded as some of the highest-quality bamboo flooring available.

Ambient Bamboo Floors produce formaldehyde-free flooring. Most of its products are produced from stranded bamboo, which looks stunning.

Pros and Cons of Bamboo Flooring

Bamboo’s Benefits and Drawbacks

Pros: Bamboo is a quick-renewing material that matures in 5 to 6 years, or about a tenth as long as it takes for hard oak flooring. The same plant produces new stalks again.

Generally, $1 per square foot is less expensive than a typical hardwood and considerably more affordable when compared to an exotic species.

A high-quality bamboo floor can endure decades with proper care and little contact with dirt, high heels, and pet nails.

Cons: Even with a factory finish, it can scratch; protect furniture with protective padding and use doormats indoors.

Because not all bamboo is created equal, it can be challenging to distinguish through quality claims. Additionally, it is difficult to compare apples to apples because of the various varieties (see below).

The flooring of lower grade created with adhesives using urea-formaldehyde can be off-gas.

Bamboo Flooring Types

If you’re considering buying bamboo flooring, you should know the numerous varieties available. Bamboo floors are constructed and installed similarly to hardwood wood boards. Both solid and engineered shapes are available. Layers or strips of bamboo are bonded together to form solid bamboo. Engineered bamboo flooring is created by gluing a thin top layer of bamboo to a fireboard or plywood core. Let’s take a closer look at the primary bamboo flooring varieties.

Tongue and Groove Solid Strand Bamboo

More complicated than conventional timber flooring is solid-strand bamboo flooring. It’s all made of solid wood. This shape is available in brushed, flat, and hand-scraped finishes, among others. As a result, you might discover one that complements your taste. You can either glue or nail a solid strand of bamboo down to a wooden flooring when installing it.

Engineered Bamboo Stand with Click Lock

Additionally, it is secure to use throughout the house and more complex than regular wood flooring. Compared to solid flooring, the wear layer is renewable and has a larger dimension. You can refinish the flooring at least twice if the wear is at least 2mm, extending its longevity. Additionally, installation is simple. It is ineffective, nevertheless, in climates with year-round high humidity levels.

Tongue & Groove Bamboo Engineered Strand

This engineered strand bamboo flooring provides dimensional stability and a simple installation technique. In addition, it is environmentally beneficial because it is made from renewable resources. If you opt for the floating installation option, put a small amount of glue within each plank’s groove.

Bamboo Solid Strand with Click Lock

This natural bamboo flooring is three times tougher than conventional wood flooring and is available in various finishes. Additionally, it is produced using plants that can be fully grown again in five years. The click-lock feature makes installation simple. The humidity is generally consistent throughout the year, making it primarily acceptable for indoor use.

The Best bamboo laminate flooring is available at Floor & Decor.

Due to its distinctive beauty, extensive color and tone range, strength and durability, and eco-friendliness, bamboo flooring is growing in popularity in residential and commercial buildings. From bamboo kitchen flooring to bamboo flooring planks that is waterproof for the bathroom, Floor & Decor has the best bamboo flooring to meet all your upcoming flooring projects.

After cutting into 1/4-by-3/4-inch strips and joining with solid adhesives, stalks are milled into three different types of bamboo flooring.

Inaccurate Grading

When it comes to grading bamboo planks, no system is both reliable and effective. Merchants typically divide them into grades A and B; however, this classification system is arbitrary and might signify different things to various stores. It’s not related to how good the bamboo is. Finding a reputable and trustworthy flooring vendor is crucial to guaranteeing you receive high-quality materials.

Region Covered

The cost of installing new flooring includes more than just the cost of the flooring supplies. Getting rid of the old flooring is necessary to prepare the space for new flooring, which may increase labor costs. Usually, the size of the space that has to be covered determines how much it will cost because more flooring material is needed, and a lot of the old flooring needs to be removed. 

For example, installing a bamboo floor in a 250-square-foot room will cost between $1,250 and $2,500, while installing bamboo wood flooring in a 2,500-square-foot house will cost between $7,000 and $20,000. Bamboo floor installation costs are calculated by multiplying the entire installation area by $8.

FAQs

What does premium Bamboo flooring cost?

Depending on the style and quality, solid and engineered boards might cost anywhere from $2 and $10 per square foot. The cost of installation will be comparable to that of a wood floor.

DIY or consult a professional?

Who may install bamboo flooring planks similarly to wood planks, so if you’re confident installing tongue-and-groove oak or floating floor planks using nails or glue, you can also install bamboo flooring planks?

Where should it be installed?

Anywhere you’d use wood—bathrooms, kitchens, basements—but it runs the same risk of being damaged by too much moisture or too little moisture as hardwood.

How much time will it take?

Most manufacturers offer lifetime structural warranties, but a factory finish should have a minimum 25-year warranty.

Can you use bamboo flooring in the kitchen?

Because of its many uses, bamboo flooring is ideal for kitchens. It is durable when spills are swiftly cleaned up, and the floor is routinely maintained.