As a fast emerging type of flooring material, bamboo brings plenty of positive qualities on the table. Originating in Asia and taken advantage of there for thousands of years, bamboo has been further popularized around the world by modern floor making companies that have incorporated advanced technologies used already for processing hardwood and laminate floors. As a result, bamboo flooring is rapidly taking over the lead as the preferable choice in both commercial and households. The high number of available designs and styles such as strand woven, hand-scraped or carbonized bamboo floors, means that everyone can find a model that satisfies their personal needs and preferences.
There are many advantages of bamboo and at the same time very few disadvantages, so overall it can be said that bamboo floors are a definite choice for the environmentally aware person who wants a floor that would last for decades. By taking a brief look at both sides of the coin you can make up your mind if bamboo is the right type of floor for you.
The number one reason that makes bamboo so good is the fact that it’s actually a plant and not a tree.Starting with the positives, the ecological benefits of using bamboo instead of regular wood are great, for the simple reason that it’s not a tree, but a rapidly growing plant. Forests are ever diminishing with each year because of all the industries that cut massive amounts of trees for their production and unfortunately, floor manufacturing plays a big part in that. Bamboo effectively takes care of these issues with its unique characteristics and ease of cultivation, treatment and preservation.
A big misunderstanding is that bamboo floors are expensive while the truth is they’re not at all, with the exception of some hand-scraped models. Very inexpensive compared to traditional timber and ceramic floors, bamboo-made flooring, for instance engineered bamboo flooring, also require less maintenance care and its installation is straightforward. Bamboo floors can last for decades if basic care is taken for their preservation. They are naturally resistant to infestation, moisture, dirt and weight load, and require just a regular mop and sweep to keep them at their best.
All nice and good, but what about Cons? As it turns outit’s mostly to do with buying, maintenance and life style, than with its actual material properties. To start with, a bamboo floor should not be exposed excessively to direct sun light, so depending on your location it may not be a practical solution for your home. Just like timber, though at a lesser degree, bamboo should be kept dry and any liquid spills should be taken care of immediately to avoid swelling and twisting of the spot which would lead to structural instability in the long run.
Many companies pretend to offer “superior” bamboo floor solutions and claim to have their own private source for bamboo harvesting. In reality, all companies located outside the Pacific and China regions are nothing more than importers and floor processing agents. Although the majority of top brands are health standard approved, there are many doubtful flooring companies whose products end up emitting unhealthy levels of formaldehyde. The latter can pose a serious issues to people suffering from allergic reactions to the substance.
As you can see, the most negatives of bamboo flooring are easily taken care of by careful planning and observation of both locally available and online brands. With proper maintenance and by following a few basic rules, bamboo flooring is not only going to enhance the appearance and style of your rooms, but provide you with a way to set an example and make a contribution when it comes to saving the environment.
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