What Are The Pros And Cons Of Eucalyptus Flooring?

The beauty of wood flooring is something many homeowners pine for. While it can be expensive, attractive and affordable wood flooring is also attainable. But what about attractive, affordable, and eco-friendly wood flooring?

There are a few options that fall into this category, including bamboo and cork. But another wonderful choice is eucalyptus.

Grown in several tropical regions across the world, eucalyptus is a sustainable hardwood because of its fast growth. Though not waterproof, eucalyptus is resistant to moisture and highly durable. It is harder than most available hardwoods. The average price of eucalyptus ranges from $5-$7 per square foot, making it more affordable than other floorings. However, eucalyptus can be difficult to find in stores.

With over 600 species of eucalyptus, expect versatility in its appearance. The colors range from smoky white to rich chocolate brown. But the most common color among species is light tan similar to the color of white oak.

Eucalyptus looks more like hardwood than bamboo. It has a straight grain that doesn’t draw too much attention, allowing it to fit both modern and traditional styles.

Con: Eucalyptus tends to absorb stains unevenly. In order to refinish eucalyptus wood, you have to use a gel-based stain. Eucalyptus comes in a variety of colors. So, it may be easier to keep it natural and choose a color that fits your style rather than trying to refinish it.

Most eucalyptus flooring manufacturers include a 25-year warranty, though some go as high as 50 years. That says a lot about the wood’s durability.

Eucalyptus is manufactured in a few different formats, the most durable being strand-woven eucalyptus. Strand-woven eucalyptus is produced by weaving together strips of eucalyptus and compressing them under extreme heat. When produced this way, eucalyptus is twice as hard as red oak.

It resists dents and scratches very well, making it an excellent floor for high traffic areas and households with pets or rowdy kids.

Pro: Strand-woven eucalyptus wood has a hardness scale ranging from 3,000-5,000. For reference, red oak has a 1290 hardness rating. This means eucalyptus can last a long time without needing repairs or replacement.

Another component of eucalyptus’s durability is its resistance to moisture. While it’s not waterproof, the hardness of eucalyptus means moisture doesn’t penetrate it easily. However, you still have to take precautions and not leave standing water on eucalyptus flooring.

Pro: Because eucalyptus is grown in tropical regions, it’s used to high levels of humidity. It makes a great flooring option in locations where humidity levels run high. That means it can be installed in basements, kitchens, and even bathrooms!

Eucalyptus flooring is a bit more expensive than bamboo, though still very affordable. Bamboo is 1/3 of the cost of hardwood and 20% cheaper than eucalyptus.

The cost of eucalyptus wood averages $5-$7 per square foot. The ample supply of eucalyptus is what keeps the cost so low.

Pro: Roughly half the price of hardwood floors, eucalyptus lasts longer than hardwoods, too. They are a great investment due to their inexpensive cost and long-lasting durability. Because there is no need to pay professional installers, this also keeps the overall cost down.

Even if the eucalyptus has been sourced responsibly, the adhesives and glues used in the manufacturing process may undo some of its eco-friendliness.

You can check to make sure your flooring is sourced responsibly by looking for Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification. This is proof that the forest owners who harvested the wood did so ethically and that they met basic environmental standards.

You can also check your product’s FloorScore certification to ensure the surfacing and other associated products meet the standards regarding VOC emissions.

Related Questions

How is bamboo different from eucalyptus?

For starters, bamboo is grass while eucalyptus is considered a hardwood. Eucalyptus tends to be slightly more expensive than bamboo. Aesthetically, they look different. Eucalyptus looks more like traditional hardwood, showing its straight grain and knots. Bamboo, instead, has nodules.However, both grow rapidly and go through the same manufacturing process of weaving and compressing strands under high heat. This makes both bamboo and eucalyptus very hard and highly durable.

What is rainbow eucalyptus and can I use it for my floors?

Rainbow eucalyptus is a unique tree whose bark appears multicolored. When you cut into the trunk, however, the wood starts green and ages to a reddish-brown. The rainbow tones do not carry through. Rainbow eucalyptus is also considered too rare for flooring or woodworking. It would not be an eco-friendly choice to use rainbow eucalyptus.

Is eucalyptus flooring right for my home?

Eucalyptus flooring can suit a variety of needs in any home. Its durability makes it a great floor in a home with children and pets. It also doesn’t expand when it comes in contact with moisture like other hardwoods.If you’re in the market for a virtually indestructible, eco-friendly floor, then eucalyptus is right for your home.

In the search to find something bad about eucalyptus flooring, all we came up with is that it’s hard to find. Stores carry it in limited quantities because it’s not yet a mainstream flooring option. So, you’ll most likely need to search online for the color and style you want.

That’s it. That’s the only bad thing.

Eucalyptus floors are durable. They are much harder than any hardwood flooring, resisting scratches and dents like nobody’s business.

Eucalyptus floors are eco-friendly. They grow at a rate unmatched by hardwood trees, making them a renewable resource. They can be grown throughout the year and need less water which helps keep surrounding habitats intact.

Eucalyptus floors are inexpensive. Though they do cost more than bamboo floors, they are still cheaper than hardwoods, averaging $5-$7 per square foot. They last longer and are easier to install as well.

Eucalyptus floors are low-maintenance. They don’t require harsh chemicals for cleaning and can be maintained with sweeping, vacuuming, and the occasional damp mop.

Here’s hoping the beautiful and versatile eucalyptus flooring becomes more widely available. Then, we can confidently say, it doesn’t have any cons!