Oak or bamboo flooring in kitchen-please help me decide?

[ArcticRoll]

Am planning new kitchen and can't decide between solid or engineered oak or bamboo -any advice gratefully received!

I love oak floors and have them throught downstairs except kitchen. I've had a few samples of bamboo through work and actually I've been really impressed , so much so I've recommended it to MIL. I would recommend getting a decent sized sample of the exact one you are getting though as the quality can vary a lot from supplier to supplier. Stranded bamboo is supposed to be more hard wearing than normal however both are incredibly hardy.

No idea about bamboo but I had engineered oak everywhere through my last flat and it was brilliant - tough as old boots and always looked fab.

thanks wonkylegs-need to find local supplier of bamboo as I haven't actually seen it.

depends how big your kitchen is -bamboo can look very busy in a small room

I LOVE bamboo - have it right through my hall, kitchen, dining room, utility room and cloakroom
living room and family room are carpeted
its 4 years old and has a few scratches but olive oil helps and as its 11 mm solid I can always have the whole lot sanded back in a couple of years if needs be

I really love my bamobo floor but be careful in the kitchen because mine has 'lifted' at the edges of the boards in some places like round the sink after repeated drownings from my darling DCs. It's very forgiving in other ways, I don't notice any scratches and it's really easy to keep clean.

bamboo is more water resistant and is the only one recommended for bathrooms and kitchens.

Personally I don't like the look of it and would rather a matt tile or pale slate.

If you have pets, most flooring will get damp problems around the water bowl, even if you never have a spill or leak.

We have bamboo in every room apart from the kitchen which was already tiled when we moved in.
In the bathroom we haven't had any problems with water damage sonim sure it would be fine in a kitchen.

We also have bamboo - not sure what the poster above means about it looking "busy" - I suppose there are lots of variations / patterns etc. I can't remember which one we have, it is pretty dark highly polished but doesn't have a particularly visible pattern or grain in it, its pretty uniform. We only have it in the hall at the moment and I'd have it in other rooms when we come to extend. It has scratched though - you wouldn't notice unless you were on your hands and knees looking, but I think thats probably the amount of traffic in the hall and 3 DC.

Bamboo is more sustainable and Eco friendly.

I think it is hardwearing and also waterproof but doesn't have the classic look of oak planks and can look like laminate. I agree about it looking busy

what I meant by it looking busy is it can be highly patterned which on a sample plank looks fine but when laid across the floor it can be too much

Bamboo takes three years to grow to maturity - and the plant lives on when it is harvested
Oak takes 40 and the plant is killed
Bamboo is a much more sustainable product

There are lots of different types of bamboo flooring and some do look busier than others - it depends how it's put together. As I mentioned before you need to see a large sample of it before buying

Thanks for all the replies- really need to look at it first to see if I like look of it- bit concerned by Noddy's comment that it may look like laminate!
Now builder has thrown new idea into the arena as he has got some reclaimed maple floor boards from squash courts . Ah decisions. , decisions...

I have the light oak look like click lock bamboo from sim

Sorry - it is from simply bamboo on line. It has fooled more people than I can count who think I have had oak flooring put down. If you phone simply bamboo and tell the effect you are looking for they will adv. which of their products will give you that look and send you a free sample.
The chippy who laid my floor normally does exhibition stands so lays several floors a week says it is the nicest truest product he has ever work with he took loads of photos to use in his portfolio he was so please with it.

mine is simplybamboo but not clicklock - its glued down

Thank you for all replies, have finally decided to go for wide planks engineered oiled oak, love the look of oiled rather than lacquered finish but will I regret it as guessing it's more high maintenance?

I believe you can wax oiled oak, but check the instructions to be sure. Waxed is said to be less slippery (i don't understand how) if you are wearing shoes or barefoot (but not socks)

Thanks piglet john-will check to see.

We have some bamboo but it's laquered and scratches easily (and idea of how to fix Piglet?) but solid oak in the kitchen. No worries with water staining or anything.

Our bamboo is covered in scratches and dents and scuffs. But only if you look closely. They add character. Cool one from where a kitchen knife landed point down ....