Bamboo Flooring
Bamboo flooring is still relatively unknown as a choice for domestic flooring, even though it has many advantages over more commonly used wood materials. Bamboo wood flooring has very few drawbacks and so it is well worth considering with regards to any room in the home.
The advantages of bamboo hardwood flooring
- Bamboo flooring hardness is generally higher than other hardwoods in the same price range. This is because most bamboo floors are manufactured from three separate layers or strips. The layering process adds stability to the bamboo flooring and allows the sections to be nailed or glued down with ease.
- Bamboo flooring durability is also very high. This is because the bamboo itself is resistant to dents and most other forms of damage. When bamboo wood flooring is correctly sealed and protected it is virtually scratch-proof as well.
- Because bamboo is a grass and not technically a wood it is much more resistant to water than other types of hardwood. This means that good quality bamboo hardwood flooring rarely shrinks, expands or warps when it comes into contact with water. The advantage of this is that bamboo flooring can be used in kitchens, bathrooms and utility rooms without the fear of long term water damage.
- Natural bamboo comes in a variety of colors and grain patterns, which means you should be able to find a type of bamboo flooring to match your existing décor. Colors include many shades of brown, deep reds and light creams while the grain patterns differ depending on how the bamboo stalks are cut.
- Bamboo hardwood flooring is also an environmentally friendly choice. This is because bamboo takes between 3 and 5 years to grow to maturity whereas other types of hardwood take anywhere up to 15 years. Bamboo also needs to be harvested every 5 years otherwise it simply falls and rots away.
The drawbacks of bamboo flooring
As mentioned above, there are very few drawbacks to bamboo flooring. Saying this, if bamboo is not properly treated it can easily become scratched, even though it is very resistant to dents and other damage. Also bamboo is prone to bleaching if exposed to direct sunlight. This can be remedied by using a special sealant that offers UV protection, or by having some form of window covering where needed.
Bamboo flooring durability and hardness make it one of the best materials for use in high traffic areas of the home…even if these include humid environments such as the kitchen and the bathroom.
