How much does it cost to install bamboo flooring

May 16, 2023

Alex Ritchie

26 Aug, 2022

Fact Checked

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.

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:

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.

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.

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.

Compare home improvement personal loans

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Fact Checked

This article was reviewed by Personal Finance Editor Georgia Brown before it was published as part of RateCity's Fact Check process.

Alex Ritchie

Personal Finance Editor

Alex Ritchie is a Personal Finance Writer and Editor at RateCity, and has been writing about Australian finance for over six years. Her expertise and passion covers loans, credit, superannuation, and closing the gender pay gap, and she aims to help young Aussies to overcome their financial apathy. Alongside RateCity, Alex has been published in numerous publications, including Australia's Money Magazine, Business Insider, Lifehacker Australia, and in health via NPS MedicineWise.