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Flooring can set the tone of your entire home, so it’s a decision you want to get right.
Bamboo or carpet? It’s a tough choice, since both options have so much to offer.
Rest assured, it doesn’t have to be one or the other. Bamboo may be perfectly suited to certain rooms, while carpet works better in others – depending on the look and feel you want to create.
Carpet vs Bamboo – Durability
Carpet
If you’re going to install carpet, you want to stretch out its lifetime for as long as possible. The vast array of textures, colours and styles allows you to choose a suitable option for each room, depending on the amount of foot traffic you expect.
Nylon is durable and tough, making it a popular choice for areas that attract a hive of activity, like the lounge or hallway. It can last a decade or longer, and works well in homes with children or pets.
In terms of carpet styles, a loop pile carpet creates a more casual look and hides footprints better, so this suits rooms that people use a lot.
If spillages are common in your household, a woolen carpet could be a good option, because it’s naturally stain resistant (as long as you clean up the spills quickly).
Many carpet labels carry a star-rating showing how durable it is. A heavy-duty rating is recommended for high traffic areas such as playrooms, stairs and halls.
Bamboo
If you’re looking for a flooring option that can handle a lot of wear and tear, you can’t go wrong with bamboo, which is superior to carpet when it comes to durability.
Natural un-carbonised and strand woven bamboo is particularly strong and scratch-resistant. Lighter bamboo is stronger than darker variations, since the colouration process tends to structurally weaken the planks.
Bamboo that’s placed in high traffic areas will require buffing and recoating every three to four years, to keep it looking good.
Carpet vs Bamboo – Maintenance
Carpet
Bamboo may be easier to clean, but carpet hides dirt better, so you can get away with cleaning it less often. A good option for those who are pressed for time!
On the downside, carpet stains more readily than bamboo and this can be difficult and costly to clean. You may need to steam it regularly to maintain a healthy floor, especially if there are children or pets running around.
If you purchase a top quality carpet, it can last for around 15 years.
Bamboo
If you’re looking for flooring that’s easy to clean, bamboo is for you. All you have to do is run a broom or vacuum cleaner over it to remove small particles. You can also use a mop for polishing. It’s easier to spot spills and debris on bamboo, which makes cleaning a breeze. On the downside, you need to stay on top of it, to stop the mess from getting out of hand.
The firm surface of bamboo flooring provides a double-edged sword. One one hand, it discourages pets from making a mess, but it also reveals scratches (from claws, furniture or heels) more clearly than carpet.
Luckily this can be resolved. The beauty of bamboo is that any wear and tear acquired over the years can be treated by refinishing and sanding it down to create a new and fresh look.
Carpet vs Bamboo – Style
Carpet
Carpet comes in a wider range of colours, patterns and styles – leaving you spoilt for choice, with more flexibility to make a design impact that’s tailored to your surroundings. Different styles include loop (casual, low-maintenance), cut (formal), pattern (striking, bold) and texture (casual, soft).
Bamboo
Bamboo floors have the power to instantly rejuvenate a room by adding a touch of natural beauty, warmth and elegance. Bamboo looks and feels very similar to hardwood timber, although it’s actually a type of grass. Available in dozens of colours, bamboo can be refinished many times to freshen its look over the years.
Carpet vs Bamboo – Comfort
Carpet
If it’s comfort you seek, you can’t go past the enticing plushness of carpet. It’s soft, warm to walk on and acts as a noise dampener. It also cools your home in summer and keeps it warm in winter, by creating an insulation barrier. Less mobile people might prefer carpet, because it’s easier to walk on than bamboo.
Unfortunately asthma sufferers might not find carpet so comfortable, since allergens can sink into the fibers and cause breathing problems. Some people might be sensitive to the chemicals used in carpet manufacturing as well.
Bamboo
Bamboo isn’t as comfortable as carpet, in terms of softness and warmth, but allergy sufferers might prefer it because it has hypoallergenic properties (look for options with non-toxic adhesive).
Bamboo also offers some peace of mind for people looking to reduce their ecological footprint, since it’s a renewable and natural material.
Carpet vs Bamboo – Climate
Carpet
Carpeting is best suited for cool to temperate climates, but doesn’t fare so well in very hot and dry or warm and damp conditions, since it absorbs heat.
Bamboo
Bamboo works well in subtropical climates (such as Brisbane), but avoid placing it in rooms that get plenty of sunlight, unless you don’t mind the colour fading over time.
Excess moisture, humidity and dryness can cause bamboo to warp, crack or split over time. If you live in an area that’s susceptible to flooding, it’s best to steer clear of bamboo, since it can become severely damaged in extreme conditions.
Vinyl vs Bamboo – Price
Carpet
Carpet is cheaper than bamboo and you can buy very cheap or expensive varieties, which are influenced by quality and finish. This gives you more flexibility, depending on your budget. At Carpet One, our prices range from $19 to $100 per square metre.
Bamboo
You pay more for bamboo upfront, but it will last for decades if you care for it properly, making this an economical choice in the long-term. At Carpet One, our prices range from around $93 to $111 per square metre.
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