Before you buy bamboo flooring, you should understand why you might see a wide range of
prices for bamboo. The price or
cost of bamboo flooring is largely dependent on the quality of the material. In this bamboo pricing section you will learn
about what goes into determining the cost of bamboo flooring. We start with the grade of the bamboo, talk about the flooring
adhesives used, the construction of the bamboo floor, the top layer finish used, and ultimately the brand or manufacturer of
the flooring.
Using this cost of bamboo flooring guide will be a great reference when shopping for bamboo flooring materials and
products – it can help to reduce and/or maintain your budget by keeping you informed. There is usually a reason why one
bamboo floor is cheaper than another bamboo, especially if it is by a wide margin. Remember the saying, if it is too good to
be true, then it probably is; this holds true with the cost of bamboo floors.
Bamboo Buying Guide Sections
Checklists?
Bamboo Buying
Checklist Download our Bamboo flooring buying checklist, so you know what
questions to ask at your local
floor store.
The grade of bamboo flooring describes the overall quality of the raw bamboo material itself, along with the other floor
related materials such as flooring adhesive and top coat finish. Although bamboo manufacturers can alter the names of the
grades, in most bamboo flooring circles, the grades are labeled as Grade A and Grade B, with Grade A bamboo being the higher
quality flooring product.
- A: Grade "A" bamboo flooring is made of bamboo that has been allowed to fully mature; a
process that
typically takes 5-7 years. This high quality bamboo generally maintains a consistent color, and is resistant to mold and
fungi growth. Others features of "A" grade bamboo include non-toxic, formaldehyde free adhesives as well as
finishes with low
VOCs. The term VOCs stand for volatile organic compounds and are emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids. Exposure to
VOC's can present health problems including cancer.
- B: Grade "B" bamboo floors are generally manufactured from bamboo that hasn't fully-matured. The
result can be uneven color from plank to plank as well as within the same piece of flooring. In addition, bamboo cut before
it has been able to fully mature might produce a weaker product that's more susceptible to mold and fungi growth. Grade B
bamboo is often weaker than Grade A, and can't dent or chip more easily. Other areas of the manufacturing process that give
bamboo a "B" Grade rating include; using finishes with high level of VOC's and other toxins and using lower quality
adhesives
that contain high levels of formaldehyde. If you are wondering why there are significant price differences between bamboo
flooring from one place to the next, chances are it has to do with the grades and manufacturing processes.
Flooring Adhesives (glues)
Flooring adhesives (glues) containing low to no formaldehyde content are normally
more expensive than those with higher levels. High levels of formaldehyde can cause illness and induce allergy-like symptoms
when inhaled. Help minimize the air pollutants in your home by making sure that the glue you choose meets E-1 standards
(European regulation for formaldehyde content). The flooring industry refers to the European regulations (E-1) and quality
standards because they are higher than those in the USA. Ask your bamboo flooring salesperson if the glue container
formaldehyde, and if they don't seem sure of their answer, contact the bamboo manufacturer. Formaldehyde is often used
because it is a cheaper source of glue, and therefore the overall cost of the bamboo flooring will be cheaper. The type and
quality of adhesive directly impacts the cost of bamboo flooring.
Construction
In most cases bamboo manufacturers charge a premium for vertical constructed bamboo. This is because vertical bamboo is
comprised of more bamboo pieces than its horizontal counterpart. Strand woven bamboo undergoes a much lengthier manufacturing
process than regular horizontal or vertical bamboo. This results in a higher production cost which typically results in a
higher price of bamboo flooring at your local floor covering store.
Durability
Grade "A" bamboo flooring tends to be more resilient and more durable than Grade "B" bamboo floors.
It only makes sense
that a stronger bamboo floor will have a higher price. The durability of the top finish coat is a big factor in the overall
cost of bamboo. If the price of bamboo flooring that you are looking at is drastically less expensive than at other reputable
flooring stores, you may want to enquire about the flooring finish.
Flooring Top Coat Finish
The flooring coating finish that is applied in the last step of bamboo floor manufacturing can determine whether the same
floor is going to be significantly more or less in price. Above we talked about VOC's and how they are harmful to your
health. Just like the floor adhesives, the bamboo floor finish can contain VOC's. To ensure that you are getting the best
flooring finish for your health and for the environment, make sure that the finish contains little to no VOC's. Companies
like Bona Kemi make eco-friendly floor finishes that contain no VOC's and compare in strength to those finishes that contain
harmful VOC levels. Bona Kemi finishes are not the only green friendly bamboo floor finish in the market, so be sure to ask
your salesperson what type of finish their bamboo floors have.
Warranty
Depending on where you purchase your bamboo flooring materials, different warranties may be offered. Be sure to ask if
there is a warranty included and if your local retailer or flooring manufacturer offers an extended warranty. The length
(time frame) of the bamboo floor warranty may be another factor in determining the price of bamboo floors. Also note that the
more reputable a bamboo flooring manufacturer, usually the higher the likelihood of a bamboo floor warranty being honored.
Brand/ Label/ Manufacturer
When it comes to the cost of bamboo floors and materials, brand name makes a difference. Certain brands or manufacturers
that have more recognition are generally more expensive than plain label or unknown entities due to their professional
reputation, time in the industry, and proven quality product. By default, a lesser–known brand may not necessarily have a
lower quality product, but the popularity and therefore usage and proven quality may not be comparable to a company with a
well–established reputation. Just because the bamboo floor is made by a well known brand doesn’t mean the price
of their
bamboo flooring will be the highest, it can be just another factor to think about when shopping for bamboo flooring and
comparing prices.
