Both Cork and Bamboo are easily renewable materials. Bamboo is a biologically a grass that grows at astronomical rates. Bamboo plants have been recorded to have grown 48 inches in 24 hours with a peak growth velocity of one meter per hour! Cork is the outer bark of the Quercus suber tree that is harvested every 9 years and continues to provide cork for 2 centuries or more.

Both cork and Bamboo are the leading flooring choices of environmentally conscious designers and home owners. Each type of flooring has its own advantages. Read on for a comprehensive comparison of these two flooring options.

Cork Flooring

• Cork Flooring is made from leftover material after production of corks for bottles. Designs and patterns are included with the aid of dark colored granules added at the compression stage.
• Cork is 90% air and is soft on the feet. Cork is an insect resistant flooring material, with heat and sound insulation properties.
• Cork is available as floating and glue down tiles. Glue down tiles generally gives better results than floating tiles.
• Cork is light weight and easy to install but is generally more expensive than bamboo.
• Cork needs to be swept regularly. Any dust on the floor will quickly scratch the surface.
• Cork can be painted and refinished to suit your taste. However cork can be damaged beyond repair if heavy static loads are placed on it.
• Cork is available in a wide range of patterns including those that look like Bamboo.

Bamboo Flooring

• It is an engineered floor made from bamboo slices that are boiled, straightened and glued together.
• Bamboo floor is either horizontal or vertical cut and is available as natural (non carbonized) bamboo or carbonized bamboo. Of the different combinations possible, horizontal cut natural bamboo is the strongest.
• Bamboo has a smoother finish and a finer grain than most hardwoods.
• Good quality Bamboo flooring is dimensionally stable and almost as dent resistant as traditional hardwood floors.
• Bamboo Floors are available as tongue and groove planks that are very easy to install. They come either as prefinished or finish on site boards.
• Prefinished boards reduce hassles during installation. Finish on site boards enable you to repair any cracks and dents introduced at the installation stage. With finish on site boards you can also fill in the gaps between planks at the finishing stage.
• Generally ‘finish on site’ boards have a more durable finish.

Both bamboo and cork are materials suited to a sustainable lifestyle. Bamboo grows faster than cork and is probably more easily renewable. Cork floors on the other hand are made from post industrial recycled material left after producing corks for bottles.

From measurement to installation and care, Contempo Floor Coverings is a one stop shop for all your flooring needs. Contempo Floor Coverings offers a wide range of colors and patterns in both cork and bamboo flooring. Our selection of interior designers can help you attain the elusive custom look for your floors. Our professional installation services will ensure that you don’t face any hitch at any stage of your flooring decision. Besides Cork and bamboo we also have a large collection of sisal and seagrass carpets and sustainably harvested hardwood floors that you can choose from.