Bamboo floors can scratch easily, but they are highly durable and resilient. To prevent scratches, it is recommended to follow a cleaning routine, use felt protector pads, and avoid dragging heavy furniture or sharp objects across the floor. Bamboo flooring comes with anti-scratch layering in their topcoats designed to protect the floor from being damaged. While bamboo is versatile in style, scratches can still occur, including micro-surface scratches and permanent dents. All hardwood flooring, including bamboo, will scratch and dent to some extent.
Are Bamboo Floors Prone to Scratching?
In general, bamboo floors are moderately scratch-resistant but they do not compare to materials like stone, porcelain, or vinyl when it comes to imperviousness to scratches. Here is how bamboo stacks up:
- More scratch-resistant than most hardwood species, especially softwoods like pine. The dense compressed structure of strand woven bamboo makes it very durable and long-lasting.
- Less scratch-resistant than materials like slate, ceramic tile, and vinyl flooring. Bamboo is still vulnerable to scratches from pet nails, furniture legs, grit, heels, and other abrasives.
- About on par with scratches as mid-range hardwoods like oak or hickory. But the finish coat on bamboo is essential for scratch protection.
So while bamboo floors are not invincible to scratches and marks, a good quality strand woven floor with multiple coats of aluminum oxide finish will resist scratches, dents, and wear better than many types of hardwood flooring. But proper maintenance and preventing scratches in the first place is still important.
Tips for Preventing Scratches
While no flooring material is 100% scratch-proof, there are steps you can take to minimize scratches on your bamboo floors:
- Use area rugs in high-traffic zones and under furniture legs to prevent surface abrasion. Rotate rugs occasionally to minimize uneven wear.
- Apply felt pads to the bottom of all furniture legs to prevent scraping and indentations when pieces are moved. Test them first to ensure the pads will not discolor the floor.
- Keep pet nails trimmed short and smooth down any sharp edges. Consider soft caps for dogs that spend a lot of time indoors.
- Remove shoes when inside to prevent tracking in grit and dirt that can scratch floors. Socks or slippers are best.
- Sweep and vacuum regularly using soft brush or hardwood floor attachments. Clean any spills immediately to prevent moisture damage.
- Avoid abrasive cleaners, scouring pads, or stiff-bristled brushes that could mar the finish. Use cleaners made specifically for bamboo flooring.
- Limit direct sunlight exposure which can cause discoloration. Use curtains and blinds in rooms with excessive sunlight.
- Maintain indoor humidity between 40-55% year-round. Bamboo expands and contracts with fluctuations in humidity and moisture.
With proper care and maintenance, quality bamboo floors can remain beautiful and scratch-free for decades. But they do require more vigilance than ultra-resilient flooring types.
What Causes Scratches on Bamboo Floors?
There are several common causes of scratches and surface damage on bamboo flooring:
1. Pet Nails
Sharp claws and toenails of dogs and cats can easily scratch bamboo floors when they run across the surface. Even blunt nails will scratch over time with repeated contact. Try to keep pets off bamboo flooring or keep nails trimmed short.
2. Furniture Legs
Dragging furniture like chairs or appliances across the floor can dent, scrape, and scratch bamboo. Use felt pads under legs or lift furniture when moving it.
3. Grit and Debris
Sand, dirt, and grit tracked inside on shoes can scratch and abrade the floor’s protective finish. Sweeping and vacuuming regularly can help remove abrasive particles.
4. High Heels
The concentrated pressure from spiked heels and stilettos can damage bamboo floors, especially thinner engineered planks. Limit wear or use heel caps.
5. Falling Objects
Dropped glasses, dishes, knives, and other objects can chip, dent, or scratch bamboo depending on the impact. Handle dishware carefully.
6. Insufficient Finish
Low-quality bamboo flooring often has fewer coats of finish, making it more prone to scratches. High-traffic areas can wear down the finish over time as well.
7. Sunlight Exposure
Excessive sunlight can cause bamboo floors to fade, discolor, or become damaged over time. Limit sun exposure with curtains.
How to Repair Scratches on Bamboo Floors
Here are some tips for repairing existing scratches and surface damage on bamboo floors:
- For minor scratches, use a bamboo flooring touch-up kit or filler stick that blends with the color of your floors. Apply to scratches, allow to dry, then buff smooth.
- Small indentations may be steamed out by using a damp cloth and iron on a low heat setting. Go slowly and avoid excess moisture.
- For deeper gouges and extensive scratches, the floor may need to be refinished. Sanding and recoating the floor can remove scratches and restore the surface.
- Severely damaged planks beyond refinishing can be replaced. Nail or glue replacement planks into place to match existing flooring. Stain to blend edges if needed.
- For surface scratches that affect a large area, screening and recoating can improve appearance. Screening lightly sands the floor before applying new coats of finish.
- Consult a flooring professional for refinishing, recoating, or repairs if you are unsure of the best method. Improper DIY repairs can damage floors.
Are Bamboo Floors Right for Homes with Pets?
Bamboo floors can work well in homes with pets but require some extra precautions:
- Keep nails trimmed short and filed smooth to minimize scratches. Consider soft vinyl caps for nails.
- Restrict pets from areas with new flooring during the first 2 weeks so finish can fully cure and harden.
- Place area rugs down in high pet traffic zones and places they sleep. Rugs protect floors and provide traction.
- Immediately clean any accidents on the floor. Urine can damage bamboo and leave permanent stains.
- Install runners or rugs on stairs to provide traction and limit scratches from claws.
- Train pets to walk and not run on bamboo flooring to minimize impact. Try rewarding them for walking.
- Schedule regular professional cleaning to remove pet dander and degrease floors from fur oils.
With extra diligence, bamboo floors and pets can coexist successfully. But expectations need to be set realistically, and some surface scratches should be expected.
Pros and Cons of Bamboo Flooring
Here is a summary of the major advantages and disadvantages of bamboo floors:
Pros:
- Made from a renewable, sustainable resource that is very eco-friendly
- Harder and more scratch-resistant than many types of hardwood
- Attractive natural grain patterns and colors
- Less expensive than premium hardwood floors in most cases
- Easy to clean and maintain with simple sweeping and mopping
Cons:
- Not as scratch or indentation-resistant as stone, ceramic, or vinyl
- Prone to swelling from water damage if poor quality or unfinished
- Lower quality products may be too soft and prone to scratches
- Periodic resealing needed to maintain protective finish
- Not as moisture resistant as some flooring unless properly sealed
How Durable is Bamboo Flooring?
With proper care and maintenance, bamboo can be one of the most durable and long-lasting flooring materials available. Here are some factors that determine its durability:
- Quality of construction – Higher density strand woven bamboo is more durable than lower density or engineered planks.
- Type of bamboo – Some species like Moso bamboo are naturally harder and more scratch-resistant.
- Finish – Multiple coats of aluminum oxide finish prevent wear and scratches. Reapplication is needed over time.
- Maintenance – Keeping bamboo free from dirt, grit, water damage and direct sunlight preserves its longevity and appearance.
Under ideal conditions, top-quality bamboo floors can last 50 years or longer before needing replacement. Lower quality products may only last 10-15 years with heavy use. But with its hardness and renewable properties, bamboo offers a more durable and sustainable option to many types of traditional hardwood flooring.
Scratch Resistance by Bamboo Flooring Type
Strand Woven Bamboo
Strand woven bamboo flooring is the most scratch-resistant type. The strands of bamboo are shredded into thin strands, then compressed and woven together in different directions under extreme heat and pressure. This creates an incredibly dense, durable material, even harder than most hardwoods. The tight weave makes strand woven bamboo highly resistant to scratches, gouges, and dents. Even pet nails have a difficult time scratching high-quality strand woven floors. For ultimate scratch protection, strand woven is the best choice.
Vertical Grain Bamboo
Vertical grain bamboo flooring is milled from bamboo stalks cut lengthwise to showcase the long vertical grain pattern. The fibers run top to bottom rather than side-to-side. While durable, vertical grain bamboo is not quite as dense and scratch-resistant as strand woven floors, since the fibers are not compressed and woven. The vertical grain texture also tends to show scratches more noticeably. But it still rates well for scratch resistance compared to solid hardwood.
Horizontal Grain Bamboo
With horizontal grain bamboo flooring, the bamboo stalks are cut horizontally along the growth rings, exposing the soft inner pith and fibers. This type is the least scratch-resistant, as the exposed horizontal fibers are relatively soft and prone to dents and abrasions. Furniture legs, pet nails, and high heels take a toll on horizontal bamboo more quickly than strand woven or vertical grain.
Carbonized Bamboo
Carbonized bamboo goes through a heating process that caramelizes the natural sugars, creating darker colored floors. But this process can make the bamboo fibers slightly softer and more susceptible to scratches. Caramelized bamboo still has good durability, but not quite as scratch resistant as natural bamboo color options.
Engineered Bamboo
Engineered bamboo flooring usually has a top layer of bamboo adhered to a plywood or high-density fiberboard core. The thin bamboo wear layer makes engineered planks more vulnerable to scratches than solid bamboo. But durability depends on thickness and construction. Thicker wear layers resist scratches better. Overall, engineered bamboo is moderately scratch-resistant but not equal to solid planks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is bamboo flooring scratch proof?
No flooring is completely scratch proof, but high-quality strand woven bamboo floors are highly scratch-resistant due to the density and structure of compressed bamboo strands. But they can still be damaged under the right circumstances.
Do bamboo floors scratch easily compared to hardwood?
Bamboo is generally slightly harder and more scratch resistant than many types of hardwood. But top exotic hardwoods like Brazilian Walnut can be equally as dense and durable as bamboo.
Is bamboo or hardwood more durable?
It depends on the species and grade, but strand woven bamboo tends to be denser and more resistant to scratches than the majority of hardwood flooring options. Overall, bamboo rates very high for durability.
Can bamboo floors be refinished?
Yes, sanding and refinishing bamboo floors can remove scratches, restore gloss, and allow a new layer of protective finish to be applied. But the number of times they can be refinished is limited.
How do you fix scratches on bamboo floors?
Minor scratches can be repaired with fillers and touch up kits. Larger scratches may need sanding and refinishing for the best results. Severely damaged planks can also be replaced if needed.
Conclusion
While bamboo floors are not completely immune to scratches and dents, high-quality bamboo with multiple layers of aluminum oxide finish rates very well compared to solid hardwood floors when it comes to scratch resistance. By taking measures to protect the surface and limit abrasion, quality bamboo floors can remain beautiful and durable for many years. With its unmistakable natural grain patterns and pleasing colors, bamboo remains a distinctive and eco-friendly flooring option that can add style and value to any home.