How much will your floor installation or replacement cost?

Columbus, OH 43215

Flooring Specialists on Thumbtack cost$3500 - $9000

National average fixed price

  • Lowest price:$0
  • Most common low price:$3500
  • Most common high price:$9000
  • Highest price:$0

How much does bamboo flooring cost?

The national average cost of bamboo flooring installation ranges from $4.75 to $9.50 per square foot. In total, the average customer pays around $6,500, and prices typically range from $3,500 to $9,000. This price includes materials and installation costs. 

Bamboo flooring installation costs

National Average Cost $6,500
Typical Range $3,500-$9,000

Can't take one more day of looking at that dull beige carpet in your living room or the 80's vinyl flooring in your kitchen? Eco-friendly bamboo floors are an easy and affordable way to refresh your home — and make you smile, not sigh, when you walk into a room.

Before you start shopping for flooring, read this guide to get an estimate of bamboo flooring costs and how to find a floor installation contractor near you.

What's in this cost guide?

What is the average cost to install bamboo floors per square foot?

National average bamboo flooring costs range from $2.75 to $3.50 per square foot for installation, plus $2 to $6 per square foot for materials. Having your old floor ripped out will add to the price. Expect to spend anywhere from $0.35 per square foot for carpet to $2.25 per square foot to remove an old hardwood flooring.

The total could range from a little over $750 for an average-sized kitchen done with low price bamboo to up to $7,500 or more for a large open concept living area with high-end flooring. The total depends on the type of floor you need to remove, the size of your space, the kind of bamboo flooring you choose, and the cost of other materials.

Flooring contractors typically charge by the hour for labor plus the cost of bamboo flooring, which is priced by the square foot, as well as the cost of trim and other materials such as glue for glue-down flooring. Some may require you to use flooring they supply while others will be willing to install a floor you purchase.

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laying down new floor

What factors affect the cost of bamboo flooring?

The cost of bamboo flooring varies based on your choice of bamboo flooring, the size of the space, and the prep work needed.

For example, here's a price breakdown of a project using high-end bamboo flooring in a 1,000-square-foot space from Oakerds Flooring in Atlanta, Georgia:

Removal and disposal of old glue-down engineered hardwood $945
Solid strand woven bamboo tongue and groove flooring $3,990
Urethane adhesive $600
Install flooring (glue down) $1,999
Supply and install primed white quarter round trim $450
Total $7,984

Cost of different types of bamboo flooring

The type of bamboo you select can greatly affect the cost of your project. Bamboo flooring is made in different ways, and -- just like hardwood flooring -- you can choose between low price, mid-range, or high-end bamboo floors.

Find a great flooring specialist in your area.

Bamboo is available in a range of species with colors varying from light yellow to dark tan. Carbonized bamboo has been heat treated to deepen the color. You can also choose between click or tongue and groove fitting mechanisms. Click flooring is generally easier for DIY installations.

Types of bamboo flooring include:

  • Engineered bamboo flooring: Has a veneer of bamboo on top of a substrate made of other materials. Engineered bamboo, like engineered wood, is typically less expensive than solid bamboo.
  • Horizontal bamboo flooring: Solid bamboo flooring in which grasses are arranged and laminated horizontally, lying flat side by side.
  • Vertical bamboo flooring: Solid bamboo flooring in which grasses are arranged and laminated vertically, standing up on their sides for a different look from horizontal bamboo.
  • Strand woven bamboo flooring: The most expensive type of solid bamboo flooring, made from strips of bamboo that are coated with resin, compressed with heat and milled into planks. Tiger strand woven bamboo is made using lighter and darker colored strips to create a unique variegated look.

Here are some examples of the range of prices for bamboo flooring:

Flooring retailer Cost per square foot for bamboo flooring
Home Depot $1.89 for engineered, click horizontal bamboo in "toast" color to $4.29 for handscraped, strand woven solid bamboo planks in "mocha" color
Lowe's $2 for solid bamboo flooring in "spice" color to $6.25 for solid tongue and groove wide solid bamboo planks in "rustic barnwood" color
Lumber Liquidators $1.78 for carbonized smooth solid horizontal bamboo flooring to $5.19 for extra wide distressed strand bamboo floating planks

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Repair or replace subfloors

If your subfloor is in good condition, you won't have to replace it. However, if you need new subfloors, estimate $150 to $800 to repair damaged subfloors on top of your installation costs for the new floors.

Is bamboo flooring better than laminate or hardwood?

Although technically a grass, bamboo is a common material used instead of wood, and is considered a type of hardwood floor. If you're trying to decide between bamboo, laminate, and solid wood flooring, all three types of floors have pros and cons.

Solid wood flooring has natural beauty and durability, but many homeowners go with bamboo or laminate flooring because they're less expensive and easier to install and maintain.

Trying to decide what kind of flooring to install in your home? Here's a look at bamboo vs. laminate and wood flooring:

Qualities Bamboo Flooring Laminate Flooring Hardwood Flooring
Cost per square foot $4.75-$9.50 $4.50-$11.00 $7-$18
How long it lasts 25-30 years 15-20 years 50+ years
Maintenance Minimal Minimal Refinish every 10 years/as needed
Ease of installation DIY-friendly DIY-friendly May require a pro
See which flooring specialists are top-rated in your area.

The cost of laminate flooring often makes it a go-to option for homeowners on a budget, but bamboo can also be an affordable alternative to hardwood floors. Bamboo floors also last longer than laminate floors, though not as long as hardwood. It also typically comes pre-finished, so you avoid the finishing costs associated with installing unfinished wood flooring.

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Is bamboo flooring durable?

The durability varies by type of bamboo floor. For example, engineered bamboo floors with bamboo veneers glued to planks, are the least durable type. Horizontal and vertical bamboo planks, which may be attached to the subfloor with a nailer or glue, are fairly sturdy. Woven strand bamboo planks, compressed with resin, are even harder than solid oak flooring.

Can bamboo flooring be refinished?

Like hardwood floors, floors made with some types of bamboo can be sanded down to remove the original finish and smooth out scratches and small dents. The cost to refinish a bamboo floor starts at $5 per square foot.

You'll need to contact a floor refinisher near you to find out whether your bamboo floor can be refinished and to get a cost estimate.

working using equipment on flooring

How can I save money on bamboo flooring?

To save money on bamboo flooring installation:

  • Go DIY if you can: You can save hundreds or thousands of dollars if you rip out your old floor and choose DIY-friendly click bamboo flooring. But installing a floor is a big job, and there are other ways to save if you'd rather hire a bamboo flooring professional near you.
  • Compare prices and look for sales: Compare bamboo flooring prices online and at home improvement stores. For example, Home Depot and Lowe's sometimes have clearance specials where you can get bamboo flooring for half price.
  • Get a free estimate: Flooring contractors typically offer free estimates. This can help you choose a capable flooring installer and ensure that you're prepared for the cost of that much-needed floor makeover.

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How do we know these prices?

Millions of people ask Thumbtack for help with their projects every year. We track the estimates they get from local professionals, conduct our own research and then we share those prices with you. The prices reflected in the article above are for informational purposes only and are subject to change at any time. Contact a professional near you to receive a personalized cost estimate for your project.

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