Cork Vs Bamboo Flooring

Even though both flooring types are affordable cork flooring has the edge and is the least expensive optionof the two.

Cork vs bamboo flooring. The installation methods for cork and bamboo flooring are similar except that bamboo has one more option than cork. 91 points cork flooring. The main pro of cork and bamboo flooring sustainability. If you re looking to minimize sound in your home you might want a different option.

Since bamboo is more resilient than hardwood though not as cork it is considered more durable than hardwood. While neither material innately involves destroying non renewable resources there is no requirement that any company that makes cork or bamboo flooring. Cork flooring can be installed as a floating floor or glued down. While bamboo loses out on comfort underfoot scoring just 2 to bamboo s 10 and its lower air quality score it claws back some points on ease of installation and water resistance.

Bamboo a native plant to tropical regions with heavy rainfalls grows much faster than hardwood and has a different cellular structure. If comfort is your priority nothing beats cork. This is true but the reality is slightly more complicated. Floating and adhesive installation options are also available for bamboo flooring but bamboo can be nailed down as well.

Bamboo flooring cons bamboo s hardness is usually considered a strength but this feature also makes the flooring noisier than a softer pick like cork. If bamboo flooring is exposed to direct sunlight it can begin to lose some of its color. Cork is produced from the bark of the cork tree and can be re harvested every ten years without ever damaging the tree itself. Ultimately your flooring decision comes down to personal taste or lifestyle.

If you prefer a material similar to traditional wood flooring bamboo might be right for you. Bamboo is not wood. 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. The final score is.

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. Neither bamboo nor cork are completely waterproof but both are water resistant and could work with pets as long as you are diligent about cleaning up quickly. Although it is commonly grouped with hardwood flooring bamboo is not actually a wood but rather a woody grass. The average price of cork flooring is between 3 to 5 per square foot.

Bamboo and cork flooring are both thought of as sustainable options that provide a great alternative to traditional wood flooring.