The cost of a bamboo flooring is comparable to that of wood floors made of maple, oak, ash, birch or even cherry. The advantage is that because bamboo is a grass and not made of wood from a tree, the environment is not adversely affected by turning the material into elegant and beautiful flooring.
This fact alone helps not only helps the environment, but positively impacts the cost. A plant that quickly replenishes itself following harvesting means costs are generally a little lower. That being said, bamboo is still not harvested in as many parts of the world as wood, so importing and exporting costs come into play. In general, the cost of bamboo compared to wood is so close that other factors are usually the primary consideration in selecting what type of flooring product best suits the consumer’s preferences. As bamboo becomes more popular and availability spreads throughout the world, the cost will most likely drop below that of hard woods. Consumers can expect to pay anywhere from as little as $2 or $3 per square foot all the way up to $5 or $6 per square foot for bamboo flooring. The wide variation in price range depends on the features of the product. For example, a solid bamboo vertical plank will cost in the $4 per square foot range. Horizontal cuts of bamboo are slightly less expensive. Also the treatment of the bamboo, such as carbonizing the finish for a different color tone, can increase the cost slightly. Generally, the longer the bamboo stock is the longer the board that can be created from the plant. This adds value and can add cost to bamboo floor, although not always. Since there are more than 1000 varieties of bamboo, the type and availability of bamboo has the greatest impact on price. Premium long strip floors contain fewer knots and resemble hard wood a little more. These are usually the most costly types of bamboo floors. Veneers or laminate bamboo planks are less expensive than solid bamboo, similar to the situation with hard woods. The durability and guarantees associated with veneer products are not as long and they may need refinishing or replacement sooner than solid bamboo flooring. However, even with the moderately priced bamboo floors, consumers can find quality guarantees in the 25 year range. This value far outweighs the price of less durable types of flooring alternatives such as carpet or tile.
Bamboo Flooring, Introduction, Brands, Cost, Suppliers, Maintenance, Refinishing © 2005 MyBambooFlooring.com. All rights reserved. |