Bamboo, which technically isn’t even a wood, is growing in popularity as a wood flooring alternative to the traditional woods. Classified as a grass, and not a wood at all, bamboo is a plant that grows with impressive rapidity into a strong raw material. Its fast growth makes it a highly eco friendly alternative to the likes of oak, which can take hundreds of years to grow, that said there are downsides to bamboo flooring. The majority of bamboo flooring options on the market today have their roots in China and other areas of Asia.
Ideally suited to flooring, bamboo behaves similarly to hard wood and in terms of strength, durability and resistance to moisture and bugs, it puts up a reasonably good fight. Although bamboo has a Janka rating similar are the likes of red and white oak, the way bamboo is treated and bamboo flooring constructed it is generally recognised as being less durable. Like wood, bamboo is sliced into thin strips to create flooring. Those strips are then boiled in an acid or lime solution to remove the starches and sugars naturally present in bamboo and then dried, laminated, stained and finished creating an attractive flooring product.
When it comes to colour, in its natural state, bamboo is very like beech, but can be darkened using a heating process called carbonizing. Although many people might seek out dark bamboo, it has to be said, that carbonizing bamboo tends to soften it, which isn’t ideal when it comes to flooring. Planks made of bamboo will typically either be made up of horizontal slices of bamboo or vertical grains that are small morsels of bamboo that are laminated side by side. Horizontally arranged slices of bamboo are laminated along their length on their widest edge. This lamination process uses a urea-formaldehyde (UF) adhesive that is known to emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs). That said, the amount of UF used in bamboo flooring is minimal in comparison with other wood products. If you are keen to have an emission free product, you have the option of seeking out a bamboo flooring which has not included UF resin in its production process.
Oak flooring on the other hand is a solid wood flooring solution that has quite literally stood the test of time. With oak flooring dating back centuries still in existence and in use to this day, there is no doubt that oak is a tough, durable and stable flooring option. So what might bamboo flooring have in its favour? Here are some of the major pluses of bamboo flooring:
Price: On average, bamboo flooring is about half the price of oak flooring. There are several reasons for this, however the speed of growth and the abundant supply are undoubtedly the most significant.
Environmental impact: Taking an average of only six years to be ready for harvest, compared to around 60 for oak, bamboo is, without a doubt an eco friendly product.
All of that said, there’s no getting away from the fact that the hardness and the stability of oak is significantly better than bamboo. When it comes to denting and scratching as well as warping and cupping, oak beats bamboo pretty much hands down. In fact, oak is so acknowledged and celebrated for its stability and strength that it’s now commonplace for companies to use the oak tree in their logo as a symbol of strength and stability.
Comparison Between Bamboo Flooring and Oak Flooring
| Characteristics | Bamboo Flooring | Oak Flooring |
|---|---|---|
| Classification | Grass, not wood | Solid wood |
| Origin | Majority of options from China and other areas of Asia | Widely available, sourced from various regions |
| Growth Rate | Rapid growth, ready for harvest in approximately 6 years | Slower growth, ready for harvest in approximately 60 years |
| Price | Approximately half the price of oak flooring | Higher price compared to bamboo flooring |
| Environmental Impact | Highly eco-friendly due to fast growth and abundant supply | Less eco-friendly due to longer growth period |
| Strength and Durability | Comparable to red and white oak in terms of Janka rating | Oak is significantly harder and more stable |
| Construction | Thin strips of bamboo treated and laminated to create flooring | Solid wood planks |
| Colour Options | Natural colour similar to beech, can be darkened through carbonizing | Wide range of natural colour variations |
| Emission Concerns | UF adhesive used in lamination process may emit VOCs | Minimal UF usage compared to other wood products |
| Resistance to Wear | Less durable compared to oak | Highly durable and known for its stability |
| Denting and Scratching | More prone to denting and scratching | More resistant to denting and scratching |
| Warping and Cupping | More susceptible to warping and cupping | More stable, less prone to warping and cupping |
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FAQ
What is bamboo flooring?
Bamboo flooring is a flooring alternative that is not technically a wood, but a grass. It is eco-friendly, given the fast growth rate of the bamboo plant compared to traditional woods. Bamboo behaves similarly to hardwood and is processed into thin strips to create flooring.
How does bamboo flooring compare to oak flooring in terms of durability?
Oak flooring is generally recognised as being more durable than bamboo. While bamboo has a Janka rating similar to red and white oak, it is generally less durable due to the treatment and construction process.
Are there any environmental concerns related to bamboo flooring?
Bamboo flooring is considered eco-friendly due to the fast growth rate of the bamboo plant. However, the lamination process for bamboo flooring often uses a urea-formaldehyde (UF) adhesive that can emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The amount of UF used in bamboo flooring is typically minimal compared to other wood products.
What is the price difference between bamboo and oak flooring?
Bamboo flooring is on average about half the price of oak flooring. This is mainly due to the fast growth rate and abundant supply of bamboo.
How does bamboo flooring compare to oak flooring in terms of resistance to wear and tear?
Oak is significantly more resistant to denting, scratching, warping, and cupping compared to bamboo. Oak’s superior hardness and stability contribute to its longevity.