Exploring the 5 Different Types of Bamboo Flooring

Bamboo flooring has gained in popularity over the years due to its sustainability, durability, and unique aesthetic appeal.

As a natural alternative to traditional hardwood floors, bamboo flooring offers a variety of options that can fit any design style or budget.

In this blog post, we will explore the different types of bamboo flooring available on the market today.

Whether you’re considering new floors for your home or business, read on to discover the pros and cons of each bamboo flooring and find out which one is right for you!

Types of bamboo Flooring

Here are the different types of bamboo flooring. The variations are primarily based on the way they are manufactured and their structure and arrangement.

i) Solid Horizontal

In this type of bamboo floor, the bamboo stacks are cut into very thin slices and they are pressed together horizontally under high heat and pressure.

This process doesn’t change the color or appearance of the default bamboo and thus produces the most natural-looking bamboo floors.

You can even see the bamboo nodes on it without any bumps giving it a luxurious look. These floors can be refinished often because this type of bamboo flooring is a stack of layers.

Hence, refinishing it will not cause any harm.

ii) Solid Vertical

The features of this floor are similar to that of a horizontal floor except that in vertical floors the process of manufacture differs.

Usually on vertical floors, the bamboo stacks are pressed vertically. This also has a natural bamboo look but it doesn’t have those nodes. The color compared to the horizontal version will be a little lighter.

If you have a room that is quite dark and is looking for a flooring option that can naturally give lighting, then this is the best option to consider.

iii) Strand woven

This is the most popular version of the bamboo flooring. In this flooring, the bamboo stocks are shredded and the fibers are pulled out of it.

Then the strands of fibers are combined with some sort of adhesive and are pressed under high heat.

This will result in a highly durable form of bamboo floor that is very well structured. They don’t have the natural look of bamboo.

They can be manufactured in a variety of colors depending on your need. If you are looking for a bamboo floor that suits your interior but also doesn’t want to have that classy natural bamboo look to it, then this is your option to go with.

The bamboo fiber stands used in this floor are usually the remains that come after the manufacturing of vertical and horizontal bamboo floors, hence they are much more eco-friendly.

One of the primary cons of this type of floor is that the adhesive used in the process of making these types of floors can sometimes contain formaldehyde which is harmful.

This isn’t the general case and these are formaldehyde-free options available in the market, but still, certain cheap brands can still have it.

This is the most durable out of all the bamboo flooring types mentioned in the list.

iv) Engineered Bamboo

This flooring type is not made of primarily bamboo. Instead, it has multiple layers, and each layer usually is made of a different type of wood.

The bottom most layer has durable wood and the topmost layer will have some type of bamboo.

It comes in a variety of colors and since it is not completely bamboo, they are more like vinyl or laminate floors and can withstand wet areas and are durable enough as well.

Compared to the other wooden flooring options like hardwood or laminate, engineered bamboo floors are much more affordable but also offer the same durability which is a pro.

Since a major part of this floor isn’t bamboo this is not your go-to option if buying eco-friendly or sustainable flooring is your primary goal.

Because of its bamboo wear layer at the top, compared to other bamboo floors, this floor can’t be refinished that often.

v) Carbonized bamboo

These types of bamboo are exposed to high heat and thus they eventually lose their color in the process.

carbonized floors in general can weaken the structure of the floor compared to a natural uncarbonized bamboo.

Cost Considerations

When it comes to bamboo flooring, the cost is always a consideration. There are a few different types of bamboo flooring on the market, each with its own price tag.

So, what type of bamboo flooring is the most affordable?

The answer may surprise you: strand woven bamboo flooring is actually one of the more affordable types of bamboo flooring.

It is also one of the most durable types of bamboo flooring, making it a great investment for your home.

If you’re looking for an even more affordable option, consider carbonized bamboo flooring. But, as mentioned earlier it is made from lower-quality strands of bamboo that have been treated with heat and pressure to darken the color.

This treatment makes carbonized bamboo less durable than strand-woven bamboo, but it’s still a sturdy option that can withstand a good amount of traffic.

No matter what type of budget you’re working with, there’s a type of bamboo flooring that will fit your needs. Shop around and compare prices to find the best deal on your new floors.

When choosing the right type of bamboo flooring for your home or business space, it’s essential to consider factors such as foot traffic levels, room humidity levels, budget constraints, and personal style preferences.

Taking these elements into account when making your selection will ensure you enjoy a beautiful floor that lasts for many years.

So, what is your preferred bamboo flooring type? Do you prefer bamboo flooring over other floors, if so let us know why.