Bamboo flooring cost guide

It’s easy to see why bamboo flooring is a popular choice for modern homes. Just like hardwood flooring, it offers a beautiful natural look and warm appearance to almost any room. But of course, bamboo also shares the same drawbacks as other hardwood floors. These include being prone to scratches from everyday use, and warping or cracking when humidity levels are unstable.

But what does bamboo flooring cost? We’ll look at the average price of getting a bamboo floor installed below, including the cost of refinishing a damaged floor.

How much does bamboo flooring cost?

To get an accurate bamboo flooring cost estimate, you’ll need to consider a few factors. Firstly, the type of bamboo flooring you choose (we’ll cover the different types available in just a moment) and how large the room is. Your location could also make a difference to the price, as it can be more expensive to have floors fitted in London, for example.

But so that you can plan your project, here are some average costs. The bamboo flooring cost per square metre is around £18 to £33. This equates to a bamboo flooring cost per square foot of around £2.37.

There are also installation costs to consider. This should set you back around £150 to £200 per day. 

And don’t forget about preparation work and underlay, which should cost around £5 per square metre.

Types of bamboo flooring

You may be surprised to learn that there’s actually more than one type of bamboo flooring. Here are the main types you might want to choose for your new floor:

• Stranded bamboo flooring. This is a premium form of bamboo flooring, and it comes in a choice of shades. To make it, the stalks of the bamboo plant are shredded into tiny strands. These strands are then compressed into sheets, bound using heat and resin, and then cut into planks. You’ll usually find stranded bamboo flooring available for sale as tongue-and-groove planks. You can install it as a floating or a nailed-down floor.
• Horizontal bamboo flooring. This type of bamboo floor has a striking appearance and an attractive ‘grain’ effect, although it’s not quite as hard-wearing or tough as stranded bamboo. It’s made by cutting bamboo strands into thin strips, which are glued together.
• Engineered bamboo flooring. Similar to engineered hardwood, this type of bamboo flooring is made by adhering a very thin layer of bamboo onto a core of MDF or plywood. It’s usually installed using click-lock planks. It’s one of the cheapest kinds of bamboo floor you can get, but it does have the drawback that it can’t be refinished. Engineered bamboo also not quite as durable as other kinds of bamboo floor.

Bamboo floor refinishing cost

Your bamboo floor will look stunning when new, but what happens if it gets damaged? Unfortunately, some kinds of bamboo floor are quite susceptible to scratches and scrapes. They can also become discoloured over time.

If your floor is suffering from wear and tear, the good news is that you can get most kinds of bamboo floor (except engineered) refinished.

The average bamboo floor refinishing cost is £14 per m2 to sand, and around £17 per m2 if you also want three coats of lacquer applied over the top.

Bamboo flooring cost vs hardwood

Bamboo is quite similar in cost to hardwood flooring, so you’ll need to base your decision on factors other than just the price.

For example, bamboo can be a more eco-friendly option. Trees take decades to mature, while bamboo can usually be responsibly harvested every five years or so.

Bamboo is slightly more resistant to water damage than hardwood, and it can be slightly harder than some hardwoods. However, it can still be easily dented, scratched or marked unless protected.

FAQs

Is bamboo flooring easy to maintain?

It should be quite easy to look after your bamboo floor. It’s recommended to sweep or vacuum it regularly, and mop with a slightly damp mop.

Is bamboo flooring compatible with underfloor heating?

You can have bamboo flooring with underfloor heating, but only if you choose the engineered variety.

Is bamboo flooring waterproof?

Bamboo can be more water-resistant and resilient than hardwood. However, it’s far from immune to water damage. For this reason, it’s probably not the best choice for bathrooms.