Know Your Flooring: Bamboo
When it comes to a contemporary and ecologically sustainable alternative to hardwood floors, you can't go past bamboo
Rebecca Gross
11 August 2016
Design writer and historian. I write about contemporary architecture and design, and I study cultural history through the lens of architecture, design and visual culture. I have a Masters in the History of Decorative Arts and Design from Parsons The New School for Design, New York. My latest book is called "Ornament is not a crime: Contemporary Interiors with a postmodern twist."
Design writer and historian. I write about contemporary architecture and design,... More
Bamboo may not be the first material that springs to mind when you’re thinking about flooring, but it’s proving to be an increasingly popular and sustainable option. Bamboo floors are similar to hardwood, but are typically less expensive and a more ecological choice because the timber takes only three to five years to reach maturity – versus 15 years or longer. This guide gives you the lowdown on bamboo flooring.
What is bamboo flooring?
Bamboo is a type of grass mainly found in China and other parts of Asia, and is one of the fastest-growing plants in the world. Bamboo is processed extensively to be transformed into boards or tiles suitable for flooring.
Bamboo is a type of grass mainly found in China and other parts of Asia, and is one of the fastest-growing plants in the world. Bamboo is processed extensively to be transformed into boards or tiles suitable for flooring.
What to consider when choosing bamboo flooring
- Choose a colour that suits the look and style of your room. Bamboo flooring is available in a variety of styles and colours, ranging from white and blonde hues to browns, caramels and greys. A heat treatment known as ‘carbonising’ gives bamboo a darker colour, but also reduces its hardness. Therefore, non-carbonised bamboo flooring is harder and more durable.
- Be aware that with time, bamboo tends to lighten in colour. Curtains or blinds in rooms with direct sunlight can reduce the dramatic fading that can occur over time.
- Bamboo flooring is available in two forms: solid (horizontal grain, vertical grain or strand woven) and engineered. The choice will affect both the look and the price of the boards.
- If sustainability plays a big factor in choosing bamboo flooring, then be sure the forestry practices associated with its growth and harvest are also responsible and environmentally friendly.
The pros of bamboo flooring
- Bamboo is strong, hard and durable and exceeds the hardness ranking of many hardwood flooring materials.
- The natural durability of bamboo makes it an ideal choice for high-traffic areas.
- Bamboo is a highly renewable resource, positioning bamboo floors as an ecologically sustainable choice.
- Bamboo flooring is less porous than hardwood floors and therefore more resistant to moisture.
- They can be refinished as needed to address any discolouration, dents or scratches.
The cons of bamboo flooring
- Like hardwood floors, low quality bamboo can scratch and dent.
- Bamboo is a natural material and too much moisture will cause warping, discolouration or mould growth. Spilt liquids should be cleaned and dried as quickly as possible.
- Splitting can occur in very wet environments and shrinking can happen in very dry environments.
Maintaining bamboo flooring
Bamboo flooring can be easily swept or vacuumed. It can also be cleaned with a mild soap and a damp mop.
Bamboo flooring can be easily swept or vacuumed. It can also be cleaned with a mild soap and a damp mop.
Variety of Bamboo Floors
Solid: horizontal grain
‘Horizontal’ refers to the orientation of the individual bamboo elements. Horizontal-grain boards are made from layers of flat, thin strips of bamboo glued and pressed together.
See more contemporary living rooms
Solid: horizontal grain
‘Horizontal’ refers to the orientation of the individual bamboo elements. Horizontal-grain boards are made from layers of flat, thin strips of bamboo glued and pressed together.
See more contemporary living rooms
Solid horizontal-grain boards are the most consistent in appearance of grain and colour, with a surface that most closely resembles natural bamboo and its characteristic nodes.
Solid: vertical grain
‘Vertical’ also refers to the orientation of the individual bamboo elements. These boards are constructed from thin strips of bamboo bonded vertically together.
The resulting look is that the boards have a more linear grain than horizontal planks with an almost ‘stripey’ appearance.
‘Vertical’ also refers to the orientation of the individual bamboo elements. These boards are constructed from thin strips of bamboo bonded vertically together.
The resulting look is that the boards have a more linear grain than horizontal planks with an almost ‘stripey’ appearance.
Solid: strand woven
For strand-woven boards, shredded bamboo fibres are fused and compressed and the blocks are then cut into hard solid planks. They are typically more expensive and more durable than vertical- and horizontal-grain boards.
For strand-woven boards, shredded bamboo fibres are fused and compressed and the blocks are then cut into hard solid planks. They are typically more expensive and more durable than vertical- and horizontal-grain boards.
Strand-woven bamboo floors have a very distinctive grain and can be a lighter ‘natural’ coloured bamboo, darker carbonised colour, or a tiger-striped combination of the two.
Engineered
Engineered bamboo floorboards consist of several layers of wood (such as plywood or HDF) bonded together with adhesives, heat and pressure. They are overlaid with a bamboo veneer and covered with a strong, protective finish. Engineered flooring is more resistant to swelling, warping and cupping than solid bamboo flooring.
Engineered bamboo floorboards consist of several layers of wood (such as plywood or HDF) bonded together with adhesives, heat and pressure. They are overlaid with a bamboo veneer and covered with a strong, protective finish. Engineered flooring is more resistant to swelling, warping and cupping than solid bamboo flooring.
YOUR TURN
Do you have bamboo flooring in your home? Share your style by uploading photos in the Comments section below.
MORE
Browse a gallery of bamboo flooring
Do you have bamboo flooring in your home? Share your style by uploading photos in the Comments section below.
MORE
Browse a gallery of bamboo flooring
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I don't know how others clean their bamboo but I was told to use a well squeezed out mop with just water and then buff with one of those flat micro fabric whatsits to avoid streaks. Works for me although I do add a little vinegar to the water sometimes. I've never saturated it and never washed it as I would tile or vinyl, gently does it.
I used enjo micro fibre mop for wooden floors..just with water (use a spray bottle and just moisten the floors not dripping wet). In this house with Jarrah board I use same but with a squeeze or two of the method almond floor wash. Makes the house smell lovely
Hi.
I chose bamboo flooring for the granny flat I designed for my mum at the rear of our property in Darwin primarily for sustainability reasons but also as I love the look and feel of a timber floor. The darker colour is elegant with a beautiful tonal variance and the texture, visible in the bedroom photo, feels lovely underfoot. Unfortunately it scratches really easily and looks like it's been there for several years rather than one and when installed by the provider was left with 'air pockets' which have produced spongy areas in the floor. We've been through one build-up and Wet season and thankfully no issues with the humidity at this stage. After reading the comments I would quite possibly use bamboo flooring again but try a different provider. (Not always easy in the Territory!)
Anthea.
Dancing Dragon Design