Choosing the bathroom flooring is quite a hard and sensitive task. This is because bathroom flooring is highly exposed to water and moisture. And all floorings don’t handle moisture in the same way. In general, bamboo is known to be a water-resistant and durable flooring material making it reliable for bathrooms. But is that all you need to know? No.
Before you choose bamboo flooring for your bathroom, you must have detailed information about its suitability. A lot of factors should be considered before choosing a bathroom flooring. Thus it is important to check both pros and cons before installing bamboo on the bathroom floor.
Though the final decision would be yours, I am here to provide you with information that you should know about bathroom bamboo flooring. This article would enlighten you about the matter making your decision-making process a bit easier. So let’s start!
5 Advantages Of Using Bamboo In Bathroom Flooring: Know Why To Choose
See, using bamboo flooring has both advantages and disadvantages. We can’t deny the fact that it is hardened grass and we can’t expect much from it when the moisture is high for a long time. But that surely doesn’t mean you can’t choose it for your bathroom. On that note, let’s start with knowing the advantages of using bamboo flooring in the bathroom.
1. More Water And Moisture Resistant Than Hardwood:
If you want a natural wood-like effect on the bathroom flooring, you have to choose between hardwood and bamboo. While comparing them, bamboo shows more moisture resistance than hardwood. Also, it is more hard and durable than most hardwood species.
Both get affected by water and long exposure to moisture. But naturally, bamboo has stronger bonds that it can hold up moisture and water for around 20 to 30 hours. But water on hardwood can swell or discolor the flooring faster. On the other hand, cleaning the spills within 20 hours would suffice. So bamboo is a better flooring option for bathrooms than hardwood.
2. Easy Regular Cleaning:
If you are determined to install bamboo flooring in the bathroom, you should be concerned about cleaning it. Thankfully, cleaning is not so difficult. But you have to do that regularly to prevent the growth of mildews, and swelling of the bamboo.
The main task is to remove soap scum regularly, keep the flooring dry, and ventilate the area. Besides, you should also think of fixing water leakage issues and other problems that may make the area humid. Otherwise keeping the flooring dry is enough. What I mean is it’s easy but quite a hectic task. Regular maintenance can keep the flooring intact.
3. Eco-friendly:
If you are concerned about the environment, bamboo is an eco-friendly option for you. Bamboo is biodegradable. So even if it is disposed of, it won’t harm the land or water. Also, VOC emission from bamboo flooring is minimal, keeping the environment healthy.
Bamboo grows very fast and the supply is huge due to this. On the other hand, growing hardwood trees need years and even ages to mature. So definitely, bamboo is way more eco-friendly than hardwood flooring.
4. Aesthetically Pleasing And Cost-effective:
Bamboo flooring has a very soothing and consistent texture with a light shade of beige. Though carbonized bamboo floorings are slightly darker in color, it still has a calming and sound appearance that people would love.
Another benefit is that you are getting a natural material of flooring at a low cost. It is affordable than most of the other natural floorings. Such inexpensive and beautiful flooring attracts homeowners a lot.
5. Some Can Be Refinished:
Now if there is severe water damage and stains, you have to polish and refinish the bamboo flooring. But if you want the option of refinishing, you have to choose high-quality bamboo veneers. Not all bamboo floorings can be refinished.
I would suggest you buy bamboo that can be refinished, sanded, and stained. This makes maintenance easier and the flooring long-lasting. However, the investment can be more than buying normal bamboo planks.
5 Disadvantages Of Bamboo Flooring Bathroom: Know Why Not To Choose
Besides all the advantages you have just learned, there are major drawbacks of using bamboo flooring in the bathroom. Experts generally don’t recommend installing bamboo flooring in extremely moisture-exposed washrooms or where cleaning is rare. However, if you are still going for it, you must know the drawbacks first.
Here are a few disadvantages of using bamboo flooring in the bathroom:
1. Bamboo Is Not 100% Waterproof:
Yes, bamboo is quite water-resistant but not waterproof. I mean, water and moisture can still damage bamboo no matter how durable or strong it is.
If you don’t clean the spills and water leakages within 20 to 30 hours of the accident, water can seep down. If it seeps down the bamboo, it would slowly swell the inner layers of it. Unlike vinyl or ceramic tiles, bamboo flooring is not completely waterproof. It only holds up moisture for almost a day but it is not waterproof.
2. Bamboo Can Swell And Discolor:
As bamboo is not waterproof, it can swell and discolor if exposed to moisture for a long time. If bamboo starts soaking up water, it will gradually expand the bamboo and can even crack the core. This makes bamboo flooring less durable.
Besides weakening the flooring, it can also discolor the bamboo. Small white patches, water stains, or dark spots on the bamboo due to moisture exposure can damage the look.
3. It Needs Regular Maintenance:
If you keep your bathroom wet for a long time, you are reducing its life and damaging it each day. So drying up the floor is a regular task after using the bathroom. This is truly hectic for busy people but this is something mandatory.
Also, you may need to use a protective layer on the bamboo flooring for extra protection. You have to check for water leakage and make sure that the area is dry. Also, rinsing off the flooring with a mild cleaning agent is necessary to remove water stains, soap scum, etc. So you see, bamboo needs constant care.
4. Sealing And Refinishing Are Not Applicable For All Types:
This is the biggest disadvantage in my opinion. I mean when you don’t have an easy way out in case of damages, the problem becomes bigger. Note that only a few expensive and high-quality bamboo floorings can be refinished, polished, stained, or sealed.
Now buying such expensive bamboo floorings is not convenient for all. So when this option is eliminated, maintaining bathroom bamboo flooring becomes difficult. Repairing the damages becomes difficult and costly when there is no option of sealing or refinishing.
5. Faster Growth Of Mold And Mildew:
Bamboo is generally hygienic because it resists different pests to settle down on it. But another problem still remains- the growth of mold and mildew. Bamboo flooring encourages their growth in moisture conditions.
Bamboo has high levels of starch and sugar that feed mold and mildew. Now when the condition is kept moist for a long time, the growth of mold and mildew is encouraged. This not only makes the floor unhygienic but also discolors and damages the flooring.
Best Bamboo For Bathroom Flooring: Know The Right Choice
Before I talk about the suitability of bamboo flooring, if you have already decided on bamboo flooring, you should know which one to buy. Without any argument, let me tell you which flooring you should choose and which one you should not.
Different types of bamboo flooring have different levels of durability and moisture resistance. This is why knowing the property of each type of bamboo flooring is necessary. You can’t just afford to choose the wrong bamboo flooring for your bathroom.
Here is a comparison chart comparing three types of bamboo flooring:
| Properties | Vertical | Horizontal | Strand woven |
| Durability | Durable | Durable | Highly durable |
| Making | Made by bonding sheets of bamboo vertically | Made by bonding bamboo sheets horizontally | Made by bonding bamboo fibers in high heat and pressure |
| Moisture resistance | Moderate | Moderate | High |
The basic comparison shows that strand woven bamboo flooring is the best for bathroom flooring. It is highly durable due to the compact bonding of the fibers. The bamboo fibers are shredded and separated first and then put under intense heat and pressure. This creates a very strong and firm bond between the fibers making it highly durable.
Due to this firm bond, its moisture resistance is high as well. When compared to the other two types, stranded bamboo flooring shows more water resistance. Water can’t penetrate the surface of stranded bamboo easily. However, that doesn’t mean it is 100% waterproof. We will discuss that later in detail.
Now there is another part you should remember. It is better to use engineered strand woven bamboo than installing the solid one. This is because engineered stranded bamboo is made to perform better in moisture conditions than solid ones.
The layer of plywood beneath the bamboo makes it stronger. Though not completely waterproof, it is the best option to go for if you are choosing bamboo flooring for your bathroom.
4 Tips To Maintain Bamboo Flooring Bathroom: If You Stick To Bamboo
The disadvantages are considerable but if you still want to install bamboo flooring, you should get some maintenance tips. So here, I have some tips for you that can help you keep the flooring intact for a long time.
Tip 1: Install Waterproof Mats
Areas, where water spills are common, should be covered with waterproof mats or rugs. You should lay waterproof mats beside the sink or bathtub where water spills can occur at any time. In that case, you won’t need to think of frequent cleaning or water stains.
Tip 2: Keep The Flooring Dry
Trust me there is no alternative to keeping the bamboo flooring dry. No matter what, you have to wipe the flooring very well after taking a bath or in case of spills. Just use a wiper to drain the water and wipe the floor with a towel and leave it to dry out completely. Keep the bathroom ventilated to remove the extra moisture.
Tip 3: Vinegar To Remove Molds And Mildews
In case you see the growth of molds and mildews, you should clean it up immediately. To do so, make a solution of white vinegar and water in a 1:3 ratio. Spray it on the affected area and use a soft brush to scrub off the fungus. Then clean up the area with a towel.
Tip 4: Apply Polyurethane Finish
It is always recommended to finish the bamboo flooring with a polyurethane finish. If you do this from time to time, the surface would stay protected from severe water damages, cracking, or staining. So make sure you do that.
Related Questions About Bamboo Flooring Bathroom:
Why Is Bamboo Flooring Used In Bathrooms?
Bamboo has an excellent aesthetic appearance and is a smart replacement for hardwood. People who love wood-like flooring generally opt for bamboo flooring.
People use bamboo in the bathroom due to its pleasant appearance and its incredible durability. Though not waterproof, bamboo is quite water-resistant that holds up water for more than 20 hours.
Besides, regular cleaning can keep bamboo flooring intact. Installing them is simple and it gives stable and beautiful flooring. All in all, bamboo flooring is used in bathrooms due to its beauty, low cost, water resistance, and easy maintenance facilities.
What Happens If a Bamboo Flooring Bathroom Is Wet?
Bamboo flooring is water-resistant but not waterproof. When this is the case, keeping the bathroom bamboo flooring wet for a long time is risky.
If bamboo is kept wet for a long time, you would see severe water stains and patches on the bamboo. Even worse can happen! The bamboo can warp and distort its shape due to swelling and contraction.
This not only reshapes the bamboo but also damages the bonding between the fibers. In simple words, keeping bamboo flooring wet would damage it in so many ways that repairing it can become almost impossible.
Can You Put Waterproof Bamboo Flooring In A Bathroom?
Note that waterproof bamboo flooring is a myth. No bamboo flooring is completely waterproof.
Bamboo is adequately water-resistant but not completely waterproof. It can survive for around 30 hours in moist conditions. But if not cleaned after that period, moisture can warp and distort the shape leaving water stains. As bamboo is not completely waterproof, such risks are there. But regular maintenance can protect it from severe damages.
Can Engineered Bamboo Flooring Get Wet In The Bathroom?
Note that engineered stranded bamboo flooring is more water-resistant and durable than solid stranded bamboo flooring. So engineered bamboo is better for bathroom flooring.
Engineered bamboo has an extra layer beneath the bamboo sheet. This makes the flooring water-resistant, durable, and stronger. Water can’t easily seep down the flooring due to this extra layer. So engineered bamboo doesn’t get wet easily. However, long exposure to moisture can damage the plywood beneath the sheet of bamboo.
How To Remove Water Stains From Bamboo Flooring Bathrooms?
Getting water stains on bamboo flooring is a common thing. But if you let it sit, the stain will start damaging and discoloring the flooring. So take my tip on cleaning water stains from bamboo flooring!
To remove and clean up water stains from bamboo in the bathroom, apply a layer of mayonnaise on the stain. Keep it for 15 minutes and use a soft brush to scrub off the stain.
Else you can apply a mixture of fluoride toothpaste and baking soda. Keep it for a few minutes and brush off the layer gently. Next, rinse off the area and dry it very well.
Is Bamboo Too Expensive For Bathroom Flooring?
Bamboo flooring is quite a reasonable option for bathroom flooring. In terms of cost, bamboo flooring is a decent option. But there are better options for bathroom flooring that are less expensive.
Artificial flooring materials like vinyl and ceramic tiles are more suitable for bathroom flooring. They are more water-resistant and long-lasting in moist conditions. Also, they are less expensive than bamboo flooring. So if you compare these materials, bamboo is expensive. But when compared to hardwood flooring, it is cheap.
How Long Will Bamboo Flooring Last In A Bathroom?
The longevity of bamboo in the bathroom depends on how you maintain it. If maintained regularly and properly, bamboo flooring in the bathroom can last more than 25 to 30 years.
If you keep the bamboo flooring dry and clean, it can last between 25 to 35 years. Besides, finishing and polishing should be done to maintain the condition of the bamboo. If you fail to care for it, bamboo flooring won’t last long; maybe between 10 to 15 years. Therefore, you should maintain it properly to last the bamboo flooring for the longest time.
Is It Okay To Install Bamboo Flooring In Bathrooms?
Bamboo is a durable and quite a moisture-resistant flooring option. However, that doesn’t make it the best candidate for bathroom flooring.
The level of moisture in bathrooms is very high. Normal bamboo flooring generally can’t survive long in moist conditions. It can only live in moist areas if the surface is maintained properly. Otherwise, it would damage and discolor gradually.
So while you can choose bamboo flooring for the bathroom, you should also consider the hassle of maintaining it. If you are ready to care for it, it is okay to install bamboo flooring in bathrooms.
Conclusion:
To wrap up, I must say that you should consider the drawbacks before choosing bamboo flooring for the bathroom. Though not recommended, you can still install it if you can maintain it properly. Anyway, follow my site to get regular updates about different types of flooring.
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