How Much Does Bamboo Flooring Cost?

A bamboo floor expands and contracts less than hardwood floors and is more water-resistant, making it ideal for high-traffic, high-moisture areas. But bamboo that’s harvested too early produces a softer floor that scratches and dents more readily, plus lets stains penetrate more easily, making it similar to a soft wood such as pine.

Bamboo ranges in color from a light tan to a honey brown; it's easy to maintain.

Laminate bamboo floors: Laminate bamboo floors consist of a thin layer of bamboo veneer usually glued to a click-together base or plank that "floats" above the subfloor. Similar to laminate wood floors, the amount of bamboo veneer used tends to be so small that sanding and refinishing are almost impossible.

Solid bamboo planks: Solid plank flooring is usually glued or nailed to the subfloor. Just like hardwood floors, solid bamboo planks can be sanded and resealed. Contact a professional floor refinisher to determine if your floors can be refinished. If you have scrap pieces of flooring, give some to the floor contractor to work with.

Strand carbonized bamboo planks: After the bamboo has been boiled to remove all the starches and sugars from the grass, the bamboo is then glued and compressed to form planks. This carbonizing of the bamboo creates a rich, amber color but can make the wood softer than woven strand.

Woven strand bamboo planks: These planks provide various patterns and color variations and are compressed with a resin, creating a durable floor product. Woven strand bamboo is very moisture-resistant and one of the hardest floorings on the market, based on the Janka Hardness Scale. It can be refinished.

From lowest to highest prices, here’s an idea of what bamboo flooring may cost you.

Lowest: Low-end engineered panels or unfinished solid bamboo planks may run from $4.50 to $9.50 a square foot installed. At this price, the flooring may be immature (softer), have higher levels of formaldehyde or volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and have wider color variations in a box.

Middle: For mid-range engineered bamboo or finished solid bamboo planks, you can expect to pay from $7.50 to $13 a square foot installed. This will usually get you mature bamboo, less formaldehyde, fewer VOCs and more color consistency. You also should get a longer warranty.

Highest: Paying about $17.50 to $30 a square foot installed will get you high-end, hand-finished solid bamboo flooring. It usually will be grainless, strandless or strand woven, which means it’s more durable and has multiple protective coatings.

Manufacturers suggest using felt pads on the feet of furniture to prevent surface scratches, but other than that, bamboo is so durable that it will last for years without a second thought.

As with any flooring, bamboo needs to be swept or vacuumed regularly, followed by a damp mop with a mild cleaner. Homeowners should avoid products with wax or abrasive cleaners because they will affect the finish.

Most bamboo flooring manufacturers have a 25-year warranty on the surface finish; other manufacturers offer a lifetime warranty on their product with up to a 30-year warranty on the finish.

To determine the total cost you’re likely to pay for bamboo flooring, there are several important factors to consider.

For many homeowners, bamboo is an excellent alternative to hardwood flooring. Bamboo tends to be more water-resistant and it expands/contracts less than other hardwood floors. It is therefore a durable option for high traffic areas with higher moisture content.

Bamboo is also an eco-friendly alternative to hardwood because it produces no chemical emissions during manufacturing, and bamboo trees are renewable. In addition, with a variety of styles and finishes to select from, you will not run out of ideas for bamboo flooring.

Depending on where you purchase the bamboo, the cost per square foot can vary. In most retail outlets, bamboo flooring cost per square foot can be as little as $1.80 to $3 per square foot, while it can also be as high as $3.50 to $6 per square foot at other locations. Laminate bamboo floors tend to be more affordable than other types of bamboo because it only uses a thin layer of natural bamboo veneer on the surface.

Solid bamboo planks tend to be higher in cost because they use actual panels of bamboo that are nailed to the subfloor layer. The cost of solid bamboo can range between $3 to $7 per square foot.

There are also bamboo planks that undergo a boiling process to purify them and remove starch and sugars. The result is richly colored and softer wood than other bamboo selections. These strand-carbonized bamboo planks can cost between $5 to $7 per square foot.

To make bamboo flooring even harder and moisture resistant, strands of bamboo can be interwoven with a resin to make them durable and sturdy. This bamboo cost lies anywhere between $3.80 to $6 per square foot.

A majority of the cost of bamboo floors will be incurred during the installation process. The first cost you’re likely to incur is the removal of the existing floor. To replace any missing or damaged plywood and joists, expect to incur $180 for a 200 square foot living room (about $22 per 4x8 foot panel). You should also consider the labor cost, which can be about $20 to $35 per hour.

During installation of the bamboo floor, the contractor may need to inspect the baseboards to ensure they are in good condition. They will also need to cut bamboo-panels to size depending on the shape and structure of the room. If you consider all labor costs, the total per square-foot for labor only can come to about $15 per square foot.

And finally, be aware that the bamboo flooring should not be walked on for at least two days after installation. Find your local Flooring Companies Angie Lists Here and start the search for three qualified contractors. You will want three quotes or estimates to ensure a good price!