Bamboo flooring costs $5 to $10 per square foot installed, depending on the type and installation method. For a 500 square foot room, that works out to $2,500 to $5,000 including materials and labor.
Bamboo Flooring Cost by Type
Bamboo flooring comes in three main types, each with different characteristics and price points.
Bamboo flooring cost per square foot (installed)
| Type | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Horizontal Bamboo | $5 – $7/ sq ft |
| Vertical Bamboo | $5 – $7/ sq ft |
| Strand-Woven Bamboo | $7 – $10/ sq ft |
| Engineered Bamboo | $4 – $8/ sq ft |
Horizontal Bamboo
Horizontal bamboo is made by laying strips of bamboo flat and pressing them together, creating a visible grain pattern with the characteristic bamboo nodes. It has a natural, organic look and moderate hardness. This type works well in bedrooms, living rooms, and other areas with moderate foot traffic.
Vertical Bamboo
Vertical bamboo turns the strips on edge before pressing, creating a narrower, more linear grain pattern. It has a slightly different look than horizontal but similar hardness and pricing. Many homeowners choose between horizontal and vertical based purely on aesthetic preference.
Strand-Woven Bamboo
Strand-woven is the premium option. Bamboo fibers are shredded and compressed under extreme pressure, creating a material that is twice as hard as standard bamboo and harder than most hardwoods. It handles high-traffic areas, kitchens, and entryways well. The higher price reflects its superior durability and density.
Engineered Bamboo
Engineered bamboo has a thin bamboo veneer over a plywood or HDF core. It is more dimensionally stable than solid bamboo, making it suitable for basements and areas with higher humidity. It can also be installed as a floating floor, which reduces labor costs.
Bamboo vs Hardwood Flooring
Bamboo is often compared to traditional hardwood. Here is how they stack up.
Cost: Bamboo is generally 10 to 30 percent less expensive than comparable hardwood species like oak or maple. Exotic hardwoods like walnut or cherry cost significantly more than bamboo.
Hardness: Strand-woven bamboo rates 3,000 or higher on the Janka hardness scale, making it harder than maple (1,450) and oak (1,290). Standard horizontal and vertical bamboo rates around 1,380, comparable to red oak.
Sustainability: Bamboo is a grass that reaches maturity in 3 to 5 years, compared to 20 to 60 years for hardwood trees. This makes it a more renewable resource, though transportation from Asia adds to its carbon footprint.
Moisture sensitivity: Bamboo is more sensitive to humidity changes than most hardwoods. It can swell, cup, or buckle in humid environments. Engineered bamboo handles moisture better than solid bamboo.
Refinishing: Solid bamboo can typically be refinished 1 to 2 times, while most hardwoods can be refinished 3 to 5 times. Strand-woven bamboo is more difficult to refinish due to its density. For more on refinishing costs, see our hardwood floor refinishing cost guide.
Installation Considerations
Acclimation: Bamboo flooring must acclimate in the room where it will be installed for 3 to 5 days before installation to adjust to local humidity levels.
Subfloor requirements: The subfloor must be clean, flat, and dry. Bamboo can be nailed down over wood subfloors or glued to concrete. Engineered bamboo can float over most subfloors.
Professional vs DIY: While click-lock engineered bamboo is manageable for experienced DIYers, solid bamboo nail-down installation is best left to professionals. Professional installation adds $2 to $4 per square foot to the material cost.
Underlayment: A moisture barrier and underlayment are recommended for most installations, adding $0.50 to $1.50 per square foot. For more on overall flooring installation pricing, see our flooring installation cost guide.
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