Bamboo Flooring Pros and Cons: An Honest Guide
Bamboo flooring is an appealing middle ground for Perth and Australian homes: a natural, sustainable floor that sits between laminate and solid timber on both look and price. But bamboo has real quirks worth understanding before you buy, and it is not the right floor for every room. This is an honest guide to the pros and cons of bamboo flooring, so you know exactly what you are getting.
What is bamboo flooring?
Bamboo flooring is made from bamboo, which is technically a fast-growing grass rather than a timber, processed into hard, dense boards. It gives you a genuine natural surface with a distinctive grain, and it comes as a floating floor or as an engineered board for extra stability over a concrete slab. It is often chosen as a natural-looking, more sustainable alternative to hardwood.
The pros of bamboo flooring
- Sustainable and natural. Bamboo is a rapidly renewable grass that regrows far faster than hardwood trees, which is a big part of its appeal for eco-conscious buyers.
- Hard and durable. Quality bamboo is genuinely hard-wearing; denser, well-made boards rival or exceed many hardwoods for hardness, so it stands up to everyday family traffic.
- A real, natural surface. Unlike a printed look-alike, bamboo is a genuine natural material with its own grain and warmth.
- Good over a slab as an engineered board. The engineered version adds stability, which suits Perth’s slab-on-ground homes.
- Mid-range price. From $78/m² supplied and laid, bamboo sits between laminate and solid timber, offering a natural floor without a hardwood budget.
The cons of bamboo flooring
- Moisture sensitivity. Bamboo is vulnerable to spills, leaks and high humidity; prolonged moisture can cause it to swell or warp, so it is not suited to bathrooms, laundries or wet areas.
- Quality varies a lot. Bamboo ranges from excellent to poor depending on how it is made. Cheaper, lower-density boards can dent and scratch, so buying a quality product matters more than with some other floors.
- Possible off-gassing in budget products. Lower-quality bamboo can release volatile organic compounds from the adhesives used in manufacture; a reputable, well-finished product minimises this.
- Limited colour range. Bamboo comes in fewer colours and styles than laminate or hybrid, which lean on printed decors.
- Not for wet rooms. As with real timber, kitchens and laundries are better served by a waterproof hybrid floor.
Floating or engineered bamboo?
Both are available. A floating bamboo floor clicks together over an underlay and is quick to lay, while engineered bamboo bonds a bamboo layer to a stable core for better resistance to moisture movement, which makes it the safer choice over a Perth slab. If moisture stability is a concern, the engineered board is worth the small step up in price.
Is bamboo flooring right for your Perth home?
Bamboo is a strong choice for living areas and bedrooms where you want a natural, sustainable floor with real character, and it pairs well with a modest budget. It is the wrong choice for kitchens, laundries and other wet zones, where a waterproof floor is safer. If you are weighing bamboo against the alternatives, our best flooring for Perth homes guide sets it against every option, and the Perth flooring cost guide shows how the prices compare.
Getting a bamboo flooring quote
Bamboo flooring starts from $78/m² supplied and laid, with the exact figure depending on the board and your space. The online quote tool gives a fast estimate for your rooms. Perth Flooring & Skirting is a local, fully insured business based in Pearsall, and the same team that quotes your floor lays it and finishes it with new skirting boards.
Bamboo flooring pros and cons: frequently asked questions
Is bamboo flooring a good choice?
Yes, for living areas and bedrooms where you want a natural, sustainable and hard-wearing floor. It is not suited to wet rooms, where a waterproof floor is better.
Is bamboo flooring waterproof?
No. Bamboo is moisture-sensitive and can swell or warp with prolonged exposure, so it should be kept out of bathrooms, laundries and other wet areas.
Is bamboo flooring durable?
Quality bamboo is very hard-wearing and can rival many hardwoods, but durability varies with quality, so it pays to choose a reputable, well-made board.
Is bamboo more sustainable than timber?
Bamboo is a rapidly renewable grass that regrows much faster than hardwood trees, which is a key reason it is chosen as a sustainable option.
How do I get a price for my home?
Use the online quote tool for a fast, no-obligation estimate on your actual rooms.