Bamboo Flooring

Bamboo flooring provides an excellent alternative to traditional hardwood flooring.

Growing in popularity as an alternative, bamboo flooring has many features that make it stand out when compared to hardwood. Although harvested primarily in China, bamboo flooring is now widely available in North America and Europe. Many early adopters of bamboo flooring point out its environmental friendliness. The bamboo plant regrows within a few seasons and can be harvested repeatedly without permanent damage. In fact, the bamboo plant is considered a grass, as it grows much quicker than any tree. When done responsibly, bamboo plant harvesting can be done without causing any permanent damage.

How does bamboo flooring compare with traditional hardwoods? High quality bamboo flooring provides a tougher surface than even the rarest and most expensive hardwoods. Moisture is also less of a problem for bamboo flooring. Where traditional hardwood may cup and crown due to water exposure, bamboo flooring can absorb the moisture without a problem. Bamboo flooring is processed as a laminate and treated under extremely high pressure with a high quality adhesive. This makes bamboo flooring extremely hardy and resistant to abrasion, where less treated hardwood floors may show scratches after a while. Bamboo flooring has become significantly more affordable in the past few years as well.

Best of all, bamboo flooring is easy enough to lay down without any professional help. Like many of the newer hardwoods, bamboo flooring is made with a groove that allows the planks to interlock, making them considerably easier to install. Before installing a bamboo floor, let the planks sit in their new environment for no less than 72 hours. Although bamboo flooring is very resistant to moisture, they do need some time to adjust to the new environment before installation.

What should be done to maintain a bamboo floor? Maintenance requirements are fairly easy for bamboo flooring. Make certain to sweep and mop the floor after it is laid down. Regular dusting and sweeping should be done after installation. This will prevent dust and dirt from collecting on the finish. A mat should be placed at the entrance to prevent dust and dirt from coming into the room. Dirt and small rocks can easily scratch the finish, and a mat can go a long way in preventing this problem.