Bamboo Floors: Pros And Cons
May 8th, 2009 categories: Buyer Resource, Green, Seller Resource
Many of our clients who buy a home will begin a remodeling project soon after purchase. And why not…you just made an investment and want the investment to increase in value. The most common fixes include small things like paint and carpet…you know, the usual cosmetic fixes. Lately, many of our clients have been choosing to go with bamboo floors.
There are certainly good reasons to choose bamboo, and also some things that to make sure you understand before you buy bamboo flooring. We have found that different aspects of bamboo flooring are important to each buyer, and we wanted to summarize the list or PROs and CONs of each buyer here.
PROs
- Sustainability and Eco Friendly Material – Bamboos (all varieties) grow relatively quickly in relation to other hardwoods that are typically used in flooring. Bamboo also attains maturity quickly, allowing for quick cultivation.
- Price – Bamboo prices are relatively cheap compared to most hardwood floors, and even comparable to higher end carpet. There are still cheaper alternatives (cork floors, carpet) but the price relative to other hardwood floors is seen as an advantage.
- High Moisture Resistance – Bamboo resists spills very well, and is really easy to clean, making is a good choice not only for family and living rooms, but also for kitchens and bathrooms.
- Durability – Bamboo is quite hard, and stands up well against would be dents and scratches. Bamboo has been found to be as hard as some traditional hardwoods. We have also noticed that bamboo is being used increasingly in the commercial setting, offices, boutiques, etc that have high foot traffic.
- Choice – Bamboo comes in a wide variety of color choices.
- Beauty – Bamboo is a really pretty flooring choice. I still remember the first time I saw bamboo floors…it was in Manhattan Beach, CA when I was looking for a home in 2002. I did not end up purchasing that home, however the floors still stand out in my mind. This is a big PRO, but we listed this last because form follows function.
CONs
- Some have reported that bamboo, in some instances, can be brittle. This has not been proven according to a flooring wholesaler I spoke to, and they thought this may be an issue with climate, care, or maybe an issue in manufacturing of that particular lot or species of bamboo. I cannot give better information on this currently, but this should be explored by anyone who plans to make a bamboo flooring purchase.
- Locally sourced? – Bamboo is not currently locally sourced on a large level.
- Exposure to direct sunlight can bleach the color in bamboo. This can also happen with wood floors. This is most evident in areas where a piece of furniture or rug was moved…the wood where the rug or funiture used to be is darker than the rest of the floor that received direct sunlight exposure.
- Staining – I know I know…in the PROs section I said it was moisture resistant…it is, if sealed properly. If not sealed properly, bamboo as well as other flooring types, can stain. Make sure your bamboo floors are sealed properly.
Bamboo floors are worth considering for various reasons; sustainability, eco-friendly, price, durability, beauty. We hope you find this article informative and useful. If you have anything to add, please comment on this blog.
