Technically, Bamboo is a type of grass and not really a “hardwood”. Despite this fact, it’s actually harder and than some species of wood used to make hardwood flooring. It’s a favorite of those who are environmentally-minded as it is a resource that is abundant. It grows quickly and plentifully and is used for many different applications. Bamboo has a grain pattern that can give a floor a very unique look. It can work well with both a contemporary and traditional design. But, is bamboo a type of a floor that will hold up to wear and traffic? Let’s talk about this…
Back in the day Bamboo only came in the natural color we all know and a carbonized option that gave it a warm brown look. These days you can get Bamboo in a variety of different stains and can even go with a rustic finish. These additional options help when looking to incorporate a bamboo floor into a decor.
Also, regardless of the misinformation floating around stating the contrary, bamboo floors CAN be refinished!
One thing to look out for with bamboo is the fact that it readily absorbs moisture so it will not be a good option for areas in the home with high humidity or moisture (basements/bathrooms).
The first question in most home owners minds when shopping for a floor is whether or not it will stand up to traffic and wear. On this matter, from my experience, bamboo will not hold up as well as most species of real hardwoods (oak, maple, etc) will. I’ve seen bamboo floors with indentations from high-heel shoes, bamboo floors that would scratch just from looking at them and even bamboo flooring of such low quality that no proud hardwood flooring contractor would feel good installing because they’d know the floor just won’t stand up to normal wear and tear.
That is one of the big issues with bamboo flooring – the availability of cheap, poorly made products. How do you spot them? Well, like anything else, you get what you pay for. If the price is much lower than comparable floors, best to stay away. This is especially true when dealing with engineered bamboo flooring. The thin veneer used in engineered flooring can easily be damaged if coming from a low-quality manufacturer.
Me personally, I’m not a big fan of bamboo. I think it could look cool in a special room to compliment a particular decor, but I don’t think it’s a very practical floor to put throughout the house. Again, superficially it seems to scratch and dent easily. Beyond that, the clean/uniform look doesn’t hide any of the wear you will inevitably get throughout the years. But, that’s me.