Eco-Friendly Flooring

Bamboo flooring has become a popular choice among homeowners, designers, and architects—and for good reason. This eco-friendly option offers the beauty of natural wood with added sustainability and durability. For example we have received many comments on the flooring used in our North Kirklands, Eaglesham project. But what exactly makes bamboo flooring beneficial, and why should you consider it for your next project? Let’s explore bamboo flooring to find out if it could be the perfect fit for your space.

Featured: North Kirklands, Eaglesham – Sustainable Bamboo Flooring.

Sustainabilty

Bamboo, one of the fastest-growing plants on Earth, can grow up to 3 feet in a single day. Unlike hardwoods, which take decades to mature, bamboo is ready for harvest in just 3-5 years and regenerates naturally, making it a highly renewable and eco-friendly choice.

Incredible Durability

Although technically a grass, bamboo is incredibly strong—strand-woven bamboo even surpasses traditional hardwoods like oak and maple in durability. This strength makes it ideal for high-traffic areas, and with proper care, it can last 20-30 years or more.

Bamboo flooring’s durability largely depends on the type of bamboo and its manufacturing process. Strand-woven bamboo, in particular, is extremely hard and highly resistant to wear, making it ideal for high-footfall areas. During manufacturing, strand-woven bamboo is created by compressing bamboo fibers under intense heat and pressure, resulting in a material that’s denser than many hardwoods like oak or maple, which makes it naturally resistant to scratches and dents.

However, not all bamboo flooring is created equal. Lower-cost or softer forms, such as horizontal or vertical bamboo, are more prone to scratching and denting, particularly if they’re not strand-woven. To help reduce scratches in any type of bamboo flooring, using protective pads under furniture, regular cleaning to remove dirt and debris (which can cause scratches when walked on), and maintaining a proper finish can go a long way in protecting the floor's surface.

Types of Bamboo Flooring

Solid Bamboo: Made from pure bamboo stalks, this type is known for its durability. However, quality can vary, making it crucial to source from reputable suppliers.
Engineered Bamboo: Features a bamboo veneer over plywood or other wood layers, providing stability against moisture changes, which is ideal for areas with fluctuating humidity.
Strand Woven Bamboo: This type is created by compressing bamboo strands with resin under high heat and pressure, resulting in an extremely hard surface, often harder than many hardwoods.

Beautiful Aesthetic

Bamboo has a unique, clean look that suits modern and minimalist spaces. Available in a range of finishes and colours, from light tones to dark stains, bamboo can seamlessly fit into various styles, whether contemporary, rustic, or traditional.

Cost-Effective Alternative to Hardwood

With its natural appeal, bamboo often comes at a more affordable price than hardwood. Its durability also means fewer repairs over time, adding to its cost-effectiveness.

Easy to Maintain

Bamboo flooring is low-maintenance, needing only routine sweeping or vacuuming and occasional mopping. Properly sealed, it resists spills and stains better than many types of wood, making it suitable for areas with moderate humidity. For moderate humidity areas, bamboo flooring doesn’t typically require special treatments beyond standard sealing, but it should be installed with a high-quality moisture-resistant sealant to protect against minor moisture exposure. Most high-quality bamboo floors come pre-sealed and can be finished with low-VOC or no-VOC sealants, so you can avoid unnecessary chemical exposure.

If additional treatment is needed (for example, in areas like kitchens or entryways), many bamboo suppliers offer eco-friendly, low-VOC sealants specifically formulated for wood and bamboo floors. Using these ensures the floor remains durable without compromising indoor air quality.

Healthier for Indoor Air Quality

High-quality bamboo flooring typically has low levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which helps promote cleaner indoor air. Additionally, bamboo’s resistance to dust and allergens makes it a great choice for people with allergies or asthma.

Dimensionally Stable

Unlike many hardwoods, bamboo is relatively stable against temperature and humidity changes, meaning it’s less prone to expanding, contracting, or warping. Proper installation ensures you’ll enjoy a stable, low-maintenance floor for years to come.

Potential Disadvantages of Bamboo Flooring

While bamboo flooring offers many benefits, there are a few factors to consider before making a decision. Bamboo, particularly lower-cost varieties, can be prone to scratches and dents, especially in high-traffic areas or homes with pets. It is really important to understand the quality of bamboo flooring you are buying. Additionally, while bamboo is more moisture-resistant than hardwood, it’s not waterproof, so excessive moisture can lead to warping or mold, making it less ideal for bathrooms or basements without specific treatments.

Like other natural materials, bamboo can fade when exposed to direct sunlight over time, potentially causing uneven coloration. It’s also important to choose high-quality bamboo flooring from reputable suppliers, as some lower-quality products may contain high levels of VOCs or be manufactured with less sustainable practices. Moreover, bamboo can generally only be refinished once or twice, limiting the options for repairing deep scratches compared to traditional hardwood.

Finally, bamboo may swell in very humid climates if not acclimated properly, and quality can vary widely across suppliers.

By considering the pros and cons, you can decide if bamboo flooring aligns with the durability, style, and environmental goals you have. Ultimately, understanding the type and quality of bamboo flooring you’re purchasing will help you make an informed choice that matches your space’s need.

Installation and Maintenance Tips

Acclimation: Before installation, allow bamboo flooring to acclimate to the room's temperature and humidity to prevent future issues.
Care: Regular sweeping or vacuuming with a soft brush keeps bamboo floors looking new. For wet cleaning, use a damp mop with mild soap, avoiding excessive water.
Refinishing: Like hardwood, bamboo can be refinished, extending its lifespan significantly if maintained well.

Is Bamboo Flooring Right for You?

Bamboo flooring is a practical, stylish, and eco-friendly choice with benefits that go beyond aesthetics. From its impressive durability to its low environmental impact, bamboo offers an appealing balance of form and function. However, it’s essential to choose high-quality bamboo and ensure proper installation to get the best results. If you’re seeking a beautiful, sustainable flooring option that suits a variety of lifestyles, bamboo could be the ideal solution for your home or business.

Finding High-Quality Bamboo Flooring Suppliers in Scotland

If you’re interested in bamboo flooring, it’s essential to source it from a reputable supplier. Here are a few companies in Scotland that offer bamboo flooring.

Note - While we’re sharing a few companies in Scotland that have a reputation for quality bamboo flooring, we recommend that readers conduct their own research to select a supplier that best fits their specific needs.

The Bamboo Flooring Company (UK) - Check Instagram
Based in England but delivering across Scotland, they specialise in bamboo flooring with a variety of options, including strand-woven and engineered bamboo in multiple finishes. This company prioritises sustainability with FSC-certified products and low-VOC finishes. B&Q stocks bamboo flooring from Bamboo Flooring Company across its Scottish locations, making it accessible across the country. Options include both solid and strand-woven bamboo flooring in various styles.
Floor Monster (Glasgow) - Check Instagram
A Glasgow-based supplier offering bamboo flooring, Floor Monster provides delivery across Scotland. Their bamboo flooring options include traditional and strand-woven varieties, known for durability and eco-friendly practices.
Direct Flooring (Multiple Locations in Scotland) Check Instagram
With branches throughout Scotland, Direct Flooring offers a range of bamboo flooring options, including solid and strand-woven styles, sourced with sustainability in mind.

It’s important to carefully review each supplier's certifications, reviews, and sustainability practices to ensure you’re getting a high-quality, environmentally friendly product that fits your needs. Taking time to research these options will help you find the best bamboo flooring for your project.

Note: We are not being paid to mention these companies.

High-Quality Eco-Friendly Alternatives to Bamboo Flooring

If bamboo isn’t the right fit for your project, there are several eco-friendly alternatives that offer durability, style, and sustainability. Cork flooring is a renewable choice, harvested from the bark of cork oak trees. It provides a comfortable, resilient surface and has a unique, speckled look available in various shades. Engineered hardwood, especially when FSC-certified, is another excellent option that reduces the need for solid wood while maintaining the classic appeal of hardwood in finishes like oak or walnut.

For a rustic aesthetic, reclaimed wood brings a sense of history with its natural imperfections and charm, while linoleum (not vinyl) offers a biodegradable option made from natural materials like linseed oil and wood flour, available in vibrant colours and patterns. If you’re looking for a sleek, industrial look, polished concrete is incredibly durable and can be customized with stains or patterns, making it ideal for modern spaces.

Other sustainable options include eucalyptus, a fast-growing hardwood that’s dense and durable, and recycled rubber flooring, which repurposes old tires into resilient, moisture-resistant flooring. Each of these alternatives provides a unique balance of sustainability, durability, and aesthetics, making it easy to find a flooring option that aligns with both style and environmental priorities.

Flooring Costs: From Budget-Friendly to Premium Choices

Flooring options come in a wide range of prices, making it possible to find something that suits both your style and budget. At the more affordable end, vinyl and laminate flooring range from £10-£40 per square meter, offering durability and a variety of styles, including wood-look options that are easy to install and maintain. Linoleum (not vinyl) and cork, priced between £20-£60, are eco-friendly choices that add comfort and warmth while being budget-conscious.

In the mid-range, engineered wood and bamboo flooring, costing around £35-£100 per square meter, provide the classic look of hardwood with added stability and sustainability. Polished concrete is another mid- to high-range option, from £50-£120, known for its sleek, modern appeal and resilience.

For those looking to invest in premium options, solid hardwood and reclaimed wood lead the way. Solid hardwood ranges from £60-£150+, with a timeless appeal and durability that can add value to a home, while reclaimed wood, at £80-£200+, is a unique, eco-conscious choice prized for its character and history. No matter your budget, there are plenty of options to explore to find the perfect flooring for your space.

North Kirklands, Eaglesham Project

You can look at more images and find out about the design process in our North Kirklands portfolio page.

We’d love your input on eco-friendly flooring options!

We’re not flooring experts ourselves, so we’d love to hear about your experiences with bamboo and other eco-friendly and indeed any flooring? We are always keen to understand what works best for our clients and we want to know about the pitfalls too!

Furthermore, we would love to know if your experience differs from our research?

We look forward to your insights and experiences. Thanks for helping us explore sustainable flooring options together!