Cork Vs Bamboo Flooring

The main pro of cork and bamboo flooring sustainability.

Cork vs bamboo flooring.

This means that putting bamboo or cork flooring in locations where it will get a lot of sun is not a good idea which can be a significant drawback. Cork flooring can be discolored or lightened by repeated exposure to sunlight. The number one benefit that cork and bamboo have over hardwood flooring as manufactures and retailers of both products are eager to point out is their eco friendly credentials. If comfort is your priority nothing beats cork.

Cork flooring is very often chosen because it is a renewable resource unlike hardwood in which trees are killed during the harvest. However it is also moisture sensitive. The average price of cork flooring is between 3 to 5 per square foot. Floating and adhesive installation options are also available for bamboo flooring but bamboo can be nailed down as well.

Even though both flooring types are affordable cork flooring has the edge and is the least expensive option of the two. Cork flooring is made from wood bark so it can be harvested without killing the tree. If you prefer a material similar to traditional wood flooring bamboo might be right for you. Cork is produced from the bark of the cork tree and can be re harvested every ten years without ever damaging the tree itself.

If this virtue is important to you another flooring material to consider is bamboo. Ultimately your flooring decision comes down to personal taste or lifestyle. Bamboo is also vulnerable to damage from sunlight especially over a long period of time. Cork is not ideal for basements or bathrooms and it should be allowed to acclimate to your home s humidity levels for several days prior to installation.

Bamboo is made from the fibers of the bamboo grass plant which continues to grow after the stalks are cut. Since bamboo is more resilient than hardwood though not as cork it is considered more durable than hardwood. Cork trees reach maturity at 25 years. The installation methods for cork and bamboo flooring are similar except that bamboo has one more option than cork.

This grass is cut at the ground level and regrows from the roots another five to seven years after each harvest. The hardness of bamboo is rated similar to hardwood according to the janka index that rates bamboo harder than oak ash and maple among others. Cork flooring is even more affordable. On average bamboo flooring is more affordable at 5 to 7 per square foot.

Like bamboo cork flooring is a eco friendly material that is available in a variety of colors and designs. In contrast bamboo reaches maturity in just five to seven years.