There are few flooring types that can raise your home’s value and get you a better return on investment than wood. Hardwood floors have been used for centuries for their beauty and durability. Newer materials to the market, such as bamboo flooring, bring a similar beauty with the added benefit of being a more sustainable product.

Bamboo is often sold and grouped with true hardwoods, but it’s actually a type of fast-growing grass of which there are more than 1000 species. Not all species are made into bamboo floors, however, and it is difficult to tell which type you may be purchasing. Hardwood flooring may be made of a solid piece of wood or it may be engineered with several layers of plywood ¹ beneath a hardwood veneer ². Bamboo is always used as a veneer ² on top of a plywood ¹ core. While bamboo flooring, as we know it today, is fairly new, it is actually one of the oldest materials known to man, giving it just as long - if not longer - a reputation as hardwood. Below, we’ll outline the basic differences between these two materials so you can make a more informed choice.

Costs

Both bamboo and hardwood come in several different styles, sizes, and species, which affect the final cost. The average cost of bamboo is around $5 to $6 a square foot for material and around $10 a square foot installed. Hardwood costs start around $3.50 a square foot but can be as high as $12.50 a square foot for material and $12 to $21 installed. This means that hardwood on average will cost 50%-200% more than bamboo, but some species and finishes cost less. This is because of the different installation methods. Prefinished solid hardwood flooring in an exotic species is going to cost more than unfinished domestic wood flooring because exotic hardwoods ³ often have transportation costs added in. Wider plank floors may also cost more, as can floors with specialty finishes, such as wire brushed. Most bamboo flooring sold in the US is Moso and doesn’t have as many variations, which is why costs may be more consistent.

Moisture & Mold Growth

Both wood and bamboo floors are affected by moisture and humidity levels. Strand woven bamboo and solid hardwood floors are both particularly susceptible to moisture and cannot be used below grade or in basements. Bamboo in general is slightly more resistant to both moisture and mold than hardwoods. Engineered hardwood floors can be used anywhere as they are built to withstand moisture and not swell on contact. Engineered bamboo floors are the same and can also be used below grade. Traditional bamboo floors, however, will swell on contact with moisture and should not be used in damp areas such as kitchens, bathrooms, and basements.

Environmental Impact

Both hardwood and bamboo can be considered renewable and sustainable materials. Hardwood takes longer to renew, however, with most trees taking up to 70 years to be harvestable. Bamboo can be harvested within 5 years, which makes it a more sustainable product in general. Both materials can be produced with low volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and free of formaldehyde to make them greener as well.

Radiant Heat Flooring 

Both bamboo and hardwood floors can be installed over radiant heating. However, the installation should be floating or made with an interlocking tongue and groove edge rather than a glue down or nail down installation. Moreover, it is not recommended to use radiant floor heating ⁴ under a plank wider than 3". All in all, as the constant temperature changes and builds up of condensation, the floor may be damaged quickly. To know more about the use of hardwood/bamboo flooring over radiant heating, it is recommended to consult the American Hardwood Information Center.

Remodeling Terms Cheat Sheet

¹ Plywood: An engineered construction material manufactured from thin slices of wood glued together in alternating grain patterns for strength

³ Exotic hardwoods: Timber from deciduous, flowering, seed-bearing trees that grow in tropical rainforests

⁴ Radiant floor heating: (Also known as Radiant floor) A heating system using tubes or electric wires installed underneath the flooring