How much does it cost to install bamboo flooring

Bamboo flooring is an appealing potential value-add to any property with the added benefit of looking aesthetically pleasing. Homeowners and property investors may be wondering how much it costs to install bamboo flooring.

What is the cost of installing bamboo flooring?

The price that you may spend on bamboo flooring will depend on several factors, including the scope of the work and the type of bamboo chosen. According to FloorVenue.com.au, there are three main types of bamboo flooring, each with different price points:

1. Solid strand woven bamboo flooring – Typically priced at $60 – $70 per square metre for supply only. The price varies between ranges and thicknesses.
2. Engineered bamboo flooring – Typically priced at $55 – $65 per square metre for supply only. Engineered bamboo is essentially a “thin veneer of real bamboo material fused to a plywood base”. This may offer homeowners less warping from temperature and humidity fluctuations.
3. Vertical & horizontal bamboo flooring – Typically priced at $30 – $40 per square metre. This style fell out of popularity due to its “lower durability and longevity”.

In terms of installation costs, hipages advises that prices may vary depending on your location, but professional installers regularly quote around $80 - $90 per square metre to lay bamboo flooring, prepare the surface, installing underlay and removing/replacing existing skirting boards.

Why are homeowners using bamboo flooring?

Bamboo flooring can be a competitive option for homeowners looking to renovate on a budget. It is a cost-effective alternative to using wood, as this material can cost between $100 - $150 per square metre, according to hipages. This is especially true when compared to timber – which is a material in short supply due to the 2019-20 New South Wales bushfires.

It is also a highly durable material with strong scratch-resistance, often considered sturdier than hardwood timber. This can make it a competitive material choice for families and pet-owners. Bamboo even has a janka rating of 14.7, making it stronger than popular timbers like hardwood gum, marri and French oak.

It can also be much easier, and more affordable, to install as bamboo flooring products are floating floors, meaning they use a click-and-lock-together installation process, and do not require nails or other materials to install.

Bamboo flooring is also considered to be a more sustainable material to utilise, when grown in the right conditions. It is a fast-growing crop able to reach maturity within three to five years, requiring little fertilisation. Keep an eye out on the quality of the bamboo fabric you’re considering, as there are fake fabrics available made from plastics and harmful chemicals. Doing your research is key to avoiding the fakes when seeking sustainable building materials.

How to finance your bamboo flooring project

If you’re considering installing bamboo flooring, you may be looking at your financing options. One option worth researching is a home improvement personal loan.

Personal loans can be a competitive option to finance a renovation that allows you to avoid drawing down equity in the home, refinancing your mortgage, or draining your savings to pay for the project.

An added benefit of a personal loan is that, unlike a line of credit, you have a fixed repayment period (typically 1-5 years). This adds more certainty that your debt will be paid, and you are less exposed to the risk of accruing ongoing debt.

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