Cork Vs Bamboo Flooring
If bamboo flooring is exposed to direct sunlight it can begin to lose some of its color.
Cork vs bamboo flooring. Bamboo is not wood. Bamboo and cork flooring are both thought of as sustainable options that provide a great alternative to traditional wood flooring. 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. This is true but the reality is slightly more complicated.
The final score is. Cork is produced from the bark of the cork tree and can be re harvested every ten years without ever damaging the tree itself. Bamboo a native plant to tropical regions with heavy rainfalls grows much faster than hardwood and has a different cellular structure. 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 flooringis even more affordable. On average bamboo flooring is more affordable at 5 to 7 per square foot. If you re looking to minimize sound in your home you might want a different option. 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. Although it is commonly grouped with hardwood flooring bamboo is not actually a wood but rather a woody grass. Ultimately your flooring decision comes down to personal taste or lifestyle. 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.
If you prefer a material similar to traditional wood flooring bamboo might be right for you. 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. 91 points cork flooring.
If comfort is your priority nothing beats cork. Cork is the more pet friendly of. 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. The main pro of cork and bamboo flooring sustainability.
The installation methods for cork and bamboo flooring are similar except that bamboo has one more option than cork.