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TruthGather

How to install bamboo flooring

Author

Marcus Reynolds

Updated on January 09, 2026

Is it better to glue or nail bamboo flooring?

If you have a concrete subfloor, then you will need to glue your bamboo flooring down (or float over an underlay). However, if you are planning to install your bamboo flooring over joists, then you will need to secret nail the planks into place.

What is the best way to install bamboo flooring?

Do you need underlayment for bamboo flooring?

The long and short of it is that you need bamboo flooring underlayment if you are nailing down or floating a bamboo floor. Using underlayment under your bamboo floor can provide soundproofing, moisture protection, and stability and reduce wood on wood squeaking.

Can I install bamboo flooring myself?

There are no nails or glue involved when it comes to our DIY bamboo flooring. Our DIY bamboo flooring is one of the easiest flooring to install yourself. You just cut the boards to the right size and snap them into place. The boards “click” together and look exactly like tongue-and-groove flooring once installed.

What are the problems with bamboo flooring?

Bamboo Flooring Cons:

Inexpensive bamboo flooring is susceptible to scratches and dings. Bamboo grass readily absorbs water and is susceptible to damage from water and excessive humidity. The contemporary look of bamboo doesn’t fit with all décor.

Can you mop bamboo floors?

Yes, you can clean your bamboo floor with a mop, but it must be either dry or wrung out completely leaving it only slightly damp. Using products that have been specifically designed for wooden or bamboo floors will eliminate any excess water from sitting on your flooring and prevent any unnecessary damage.

Can I use Swiffer wet on bamboo floors?

Experts recommend using a bamboo-specific cleaner such as Bam-Brite Bamboo Floor Cleaner Spray. Still, there are other widely available hardwood floor cleaners on the market (such as Bona Hardwood Floor Kit and Swiffer Wet-jet for Hardwood Floors) that will work just fine.

Can I use Murphy Oil Soap on bamboo floors?

You can use Murphy oil soap to clean your bamboo floor. In case the oil soap has progressively dulled the finish on bamboo flooring, you’ll want to restore the shine. Wash it off with a mixture of vinegar and warm water. In some cases, it may require sanding and refinishing your bamboo flooring.

How long do bamboo floors last?

Bamboo flooring has a number of practical benefits. Many bamboo options can last upwards of 50 years if properly maintained, although the average lifespan ranges from 20-25 years with normal family wear-and-tear. It is harder than most hardwoods, which makes it extremely durable.

What is the best bamboo flooring to buy?

Strand woven is by far the hardest type of bamboo flooring, since its bamboo fibers actually interlock. In fact, strand woven bamboo is actually twice as hard as oak when measured on the Janka hardness scale. Basically, if you’re looking for a super durable flooring option, strand woven bamboo might be the way to go.

Does bamboo flooring add value to a house?

As a flooring material, bamboo has many of the same benefits and drawbacks of hardwood flooring, Like wood flooring, bamboo is an attractive natural material that generally adds real estate value to a home.

Is bamboo a good choice for kitchen flooring?

Bamboo flooring comes in various formats including solid, engineered, and strand woven. Since this natural material is extremely hardy, it makes a perfect choice for kitchens. Even with fluctuations in temperature, moisture levels, and humidity, bamboo can withstand these changes without any damage.

Can I put bamboo floor in kitchen?

The answer is yes, you can use bamboo flooring in a kitchen. First of all, you will find bamboo flooring to be extremely versatile and can be installed in almost any room in your home. It will look great in your kitchen and you will find it to be a very stable and durable floor covering.

What happens if bamboo flooring gets wet?

Although bamboo flooring is fairly water resistant, it is still at risk of water damage if excessive water is allowed to soak into the planks of flooring. Water damage can cause the bamboo to warp, distort and become discoloured.

Is bamboo flooring better than laminate?

Final Verdict. Both laminate and bamboo flooring offer the classic elegance of hardwood at a more affordable cost. However, for flooring that’s easy to maintain, budget-friendly, easy to install, durable, and available in a variety of colors, laminate is the right choice.

Which is harder bamboo or oak?

Typically, bamboo in its natural state carries a Janka hardness rating of around 1,300 to 1,400, making it harder than most oak flooring, and comparable to hard maple. Carbonized bamboo carries a Janka Hardness rating of around 1,000 to 1,100, which is still considerably harder than some hardwoods.

What is better vinyl or bamboo flooring?

Vinyl plank and bamboo flooring are both extremely durable. These floors can be installed in homes with kids, pets, or heavy traffic. However, bamboo has the edge in this category. That is because it is more resistant to damage and can be refinished as needed.

What thickness of bamboo flooring is best?

Thickness. Solid boards come ½ to ⅝ inch thick; engineered planks, ⅜ to ½ inch. Made with a bamboo veneer atop a plywood or bamboo substrate for added stability, engineered planks are good for floating floors in damp or very dry environments. Expect to find unfinished planks at ¾ inch thick, to be sanded on-site.

What flooring is best for dogs?

Vinyl flooring is the best floor for dogs. It’s an inexpensive, waterproof, scratch and stain resistant flooring that is also comfortable underfoot. Vinyl flooring will keep both you and your dogs happy.