All About Bamboo Flooring — Understand Your Options
Bamboo flooring guide
Whether you’re looking to enhance the appearance of a room in your home or want to install a durable and eco-friendly flooring option throughout your home, bamboo flooring Combine the strength of hardwood floors with the easy maintenance of laminate.
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Like any type of flooring, bamboo flooring has a number of advantages and a couple of disadvantages. Although they are more vulnerable to scratches, they are easy to maintain and restore. And although some bamboo floors are built with VOCs that can reduce air quality, you can also find chemical-free options on the market.
In this guide, we will discuss the benefits and drawbacks associated with installing a bamboo flooring and help you find the best resources for reviewing prices and reviewing bamboo flooring. Read on to find out more about the different types of bamboo flooring currently on the market, as well as which homes can benefit from this type of flooring.
Your Guide to Bamboo Flooring
Bamboo is a fast-growing herb, the shoots and stems of which are processed to create bamboo flooring. In fact, this process is carried out without even destroying the plant itself. After undergoing a variety of processes including boiling, melting, and pressurization, bamboo materials are formed into wood-like planks.
Bamboo Flooring Overview
Bamboo flooring is more resistant to water than some types of wood flooring, making it an attractive option for areas of the home that can suffer from slight humidity. This is especially true if the bamboo flooring is laid over a suitable subfloor or subfloor.
exist three types of bamboo flooring: vertical, horizontal and braided.
- Vertical bamboo flooring are developed by fusing stems vertically, producing consistent vertical lines that give a modern look and feel.
- Horizontal bamboo flooring Use alternating layers of the plant to highlight the growing joints of the bamboo. This type of processing allows for a more organic print.
- Braided bamboo flooring It is created from crushed bamboo fibers, which fuse under intense heat and pressure to offer the most durable type of bamboo flooring available.
All of these bamboo flooring options can be made to look like various types of hardwood flooring to suit the aesthetic you have in mind for your living space.
Advantages of bamboo flooring
Environmentally friendly – This type of soil is derived from natural vegetation: the bamboo plant. Bamboo is a renewable resource that can be grown much faster than other types of trees used for hardwood floors. Bamboo reaches maturity in as little as three to five years, while other trees such as maple and oak can take ten to twenty years to fully mature.
Easy to maintain – You can keep your bamboo floors looking good with regular sweeping and vacuuming and periodic wet mopping. Although bamboo flooring is more susceptible to scratches, it is very easy to maintain. The restoration process simply includes being sanded and refinished, leaving you with bamboo floors that are like new.
Durable – Certain types of bamboo flooring are as durable as some hardwood floors like red oak. The durable forms of bamboo flooring are made from properly processed non-carbonized bamboo. Flooring made of braided bamboo is even stronger.
Fashion – Bamboo flooring is currently very fashionable in the interior design industry. They provide a luxurious feel to any living or corporate space and have an attractive appearance similar to that of hardwood floors.
Conclusion: What Kinds of Homes Would Benefit from Bamboo Flooring?
If you are looking for a flooring that offers a similar appearance to a hardwood floor but is easier to maintain, bamboo flooring is a great option. Since bamboo can be grown faster than hardwood trees, it is also a more environmentally friendly option.
Cons of bamboo flooring
Emissions of volatile organic chemicals – Although bamboo floors come from natural products, the adhesive used with them can produce emissions of volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) that affect air quality. However the Environmental protection agency states that “engineered wood flooring and bamboo flooring must be certified under the UL GREENGUARD or FloorScore indoor emissions testing programs.” Some Engineered Bamboo Floors Are Built without the use of toxic chemicals and may be available for special orders
Vulnerable to scratches As mentioned above, bamboo floors are more likely to get scratches than some other types of soils. From shoes to pets to furniture, bamboo floors can be damaged at the surface level by a variety of culprits. However, despite this fact, floors can be easily maintained and restored with proper care.
Vulnerable to water damage – Although bamboo is a bit more waterproof than its hardwood counterparts, significant water damage can cause floorboards to warp and / or stain.
No standardized rating system – Bamboo floors differ from piece to piece, and there are currently no standardized classification system for consumers to consider. Although some retailers classify bamboo in grades A or B based on the materials used, this system is not verified by an independent evaluator and therefore may not be completely reliable.
Bottom Line: What Kind of Homes Might Not Be Best for Bamboo Flooring?
Bamboo floors should not be used in areas that may be vulnerable to water damage. Therefore, avoid adding a bamboo flooring to your bathroom, kitchen, and other moisture-prone areas within the home.
Bamboo flooring prices
Bamboo flooring is usually affordable, although prices vary depending on the exact look and type of bamboo you prefer.
Bamboo flooring prices It can be as low as $ 1.99 per square foot and go up to more than $ 9 per square foot, depending on the type of bamboo flooring you select. For example, EcoTimber’s natural skin bamboo planks cost $ 9.76 per square foot and consist of a surface layer made from a single bamboo stem that has been cut and then compressed.
On the other hand, the Home Decorators Collection bamboo planks feature “classic natural horizontal bamboo with ‘knuckles'” and cost $ 1.99 per square foot. You can also find several types of bamboo flooring that are among those price parameters.
Bamboo Flooring Reviews
When weighing your options for bamboo flooring, be sure to read a variety of reviews to determine which flooring is best for you. Check the Consumer Reports Floor Buying Guide to see how bamboo flooring compares to other flooring options.
Also, you should investigate industry leading critics and professionals which can offer detailed information on the best bamboo flooring options currently available.
Before installing your preferred bamboo flooring, it is also crucial to read the reviews of contractors in your local area. Look for reviews that look at the professionalism and quality of the contractor, as well as the warranties and packages they have to offer. Compare prices to find the best quality at the best price.
