A developing and well-liked trend is bamboo flooring. Consumers in North America have started choosing bamboo more and more recently as a staple import from Japan. Although bamboo is sometimes used in place of hardwood or wood laminate floors, it is actually a grass. What are the benefits of bamboo flooring and why should I choose it? For the most part, bamboo offers homeowners an equally stunning appearance as well as advantages for the environment, easier installation, and lower material costs.
First of all, bamboo is renowned for its durability and strength, which enable it to hold weights several times its own. It is more durable than a lot of hardwood floors. Due to its practically unbreakable nature, bamboo floors frequently come with a 25-year warranty. Additionally, as it's a plant, it's moisture-resistant and less likely to get water stains from spills. The type of processing can have an impact on strength; for example, strand-woven bamboo is stronger than conventional bamboo thanks to its processing. A distinction is also made by the finish. Stronger than bamboo with an aluminum oxide or satin coat finish is bamboo with a Klumpp-brand finish and bamboo with a semi-gloss finish.
Bamboo has a lovely and distinctive appearance because of its color homogeneity. Bamboo comes in a large variety of hues, from practically white to extremely black, and comes in high-gloss, semi-gloss, and matte finishes.
Bamboo can be glued, fastened, or left as a so-called "floating floor," and installation is comparatively simple. It only needs hand tools; it doesn't need the same cutting tools as stronger woods like oak and mahogany. A homeowner may be able to significantly reduce installation costs by doing it himself. Installation of bamboo can be done over any kind of subfloor; cheap plywood works just well. Some even permit installation right on top of a concrete subfloor.
The upkeep and cleaning of a bamboo floor is fairly easy. The bamboo finish can be scratched by dirt and grit, so they must be swept up with a gentle broom or dust mop. To absorb moisture and collect debris, it's advised to place a mat inside or outside each entrance door and ask visitors to clean their feet before putting on shoes. High heels should not be worn on certain floors because the load pressure from their high heels on a tiny surface area might cause dents in the bamboo, despite the material's general remarkable strength. If you use throw rugs, make sure they are colorfast and don't include a rubber no-slip backing, as the rubber can stain the floor. Don't drag furniture over the floor; instead, place little pieces of felt or another material under the legs of chairs, tables, and other pieces of furniture. Use a moist towel to spot-clean; if necessary, use a wood floor cleaner. Spills should be cleaned up as quickly as you can with a soft cloth.
Bamboo flooring has the advantage of being up to 50% less expensive than conventional hardwood floors, depending on the grade, finish, and processing used.
Its status as an environmentally benign, renewable resource is another appealing feature. After being chopped, bamboo can continually regenerate from the same plant. Bamboo totally regrows after a few years, unlike trees. Additionally, any leftover bamboo shoots and leaves are fed to livestock.
The fact that bamboo doesn't collect dust or dust mites is a bonus for allergy sufferers. Certain components utilized in some bamboo laminate products and floor adhesives raise concerns about allergens. Some producers' lower-quality bamboo products could have issues with resins and formaldehyde outgassing. However, a consumer can locate a reliable manufacturer to allay such worries if they do their homework and ask the right questions.
Bamboo flooring is both beautiful and long-lasting in nature. Bamboo is a 100% natural material, as opposed to laminate. It is a sustainable, eco-friendly resource. Bamboo is nevertheless more resilient than pine and a lot of vinyl floors, despite the possibility that high-heeled shoes could damage it. Request flooring samples that you can evaluate for dents and scratches on your own once you get them home. Bamboo flooring is readily accessible in a wide range of hues and finishes, is simple to install, and is simple to maintain. To avoid the allergy and durability issues with some manufacturers, it is advisable for the consumer to do their research and carefully select their manufacturer.