Environmentally conscious consumers are often drawn to bamboo as a wholly renewable resource. After all, if you are replacing your flooring prematurely because your flooring wore out you’re not helping the environment no matter what material you choose. Bamboo too suffers from such accidents yet in the bigger picture if performs better. Unless it is stained, most bamboo flooring has a natural blonde or amber color that resembles unfinished maple or birch, but darker tones are available through a process called carbonizing, which entails subjecting the planks to high temperatures. Most of the bamboo floors are produced in countries that don’t have many regulations for manufacturers to follow. Horizontal bamboo, on the other hand, resembles a typical hardwood only it has distinct knuckles that will tell it is bamboo. The bamboo roots sprout new shoots the following rainy season. Bamboo Hardwood Flooring. The glue used in the manufacturing process contains formaldehyde which releases noxious fumes in the sanding process. Bamboo is classified as a grass and it is the fastest growing plant on Earth. Although this is the worst-case representation of the problems associated with hardwood forestry the problem of the time necessary to replace hardwood trees requires considerable management. If you want a more durable flooring and like a light color floor, choose the lightest color bamboo. The appearance and feel are close to that of the hardwood; however, the uniqueness is clear. Bamboo is typically considered as a replacement for traditional wood flooring products. When we talk about wooden flooring, bamboo is a term that occasionally pops up. One doesn’t have to dig very deep to see that bamboo flooring has been vigorously embraced by the green movement without any serious attempts to determine its net environmental impact after consideration of all contributing factors. There are a lot of similarities between bamboo and hardwood flooring, however there are some things you need to consider before you decide whether a bamboo floor is for you. After this, they (the strips) are boiled in a boric acid (or lime) solution to get rid of the sugars and starch. Bamboo is relatively easy to maintain. With usage outside the Asian Continent, this means that the product has to be shipped great distances. Bamboo flooring is traditionally chosen by connoisseurs of the so-called eco-style in the interior. It is nearly unbreakable, and buyers are often able to get a 25-year warranty on a bamboo floor. Its unique look, durability and environmentally friendly tone have all contributed to the immense popularity lately. The closest to a rating system is the grading system of retailers, which is subjective in most cases. The chances are that your bamboo flooring product will come with finishing from the factory. ALSO READ 15 Advantages and Disadvantages of Metal Roofing 2. eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'makeeasylife_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_14',122,'0','0'])); For instance, traditional bamboo flooring can be as hard as 1180 and 1380 for carbonized horizontal and natural variants, respectively. It is the least expensive (and least durable) form of bamboo flooring, and it cannot be refinished. To a lesser degree, the same problem exists with regard to soft wood flooring products such as Pine and Fir. As an imported staple from Japan, North American consumers have been opting for bamboo more and more in recent years. In this post, we discuss the pros and cons of bamboo flooring in your home. Humidity affects bamboo somewhat more severely than it does hardwood flooring. If water seeps into the floor, both bamboo and hardwood floor will swell and weaken. Most commercial bamboo comes from plantation-like operations that are farmed responsibly. Horizontal bamboo flooring is manufactured by cutting the strands into thin strips which are then glued together to form planks. Like wood, there are lots of reasons why bamboo can be … Although bamboo is typically referred to as a hardwood flooring, it is actually a grass that gets processed into a variety of flooring and home products. In this case, the subfloor is not fitted with any permanent attachment. But in some cases, it could be softer than the pines or the common red oak. The second option is to adopt the normal tongue-and-groove design, which requires gluing the edges of the boards together. In conditions of extremely high or extremely low humidity, bamboo flooring is more likely to crack than is hardwood flooring. Allergy sufferers appreciate that bamboo doesn’t attract dust or dust mites. Bamboo floors have natural beauty and durability. If you can get past the dangerous fumes from the sanding process, once sanded, the fibers in the bamboo tend to separate and individual fibers stick up out of the base material no matter how fine grit you use. For example, Premium Green, Morning Star’s strand bamboo and Build Direct’s Yanchi brand offer strand bamboo with a 3,000 Janka rating. If you go with prime products like those listed above you need not worry. The thinner variants of solid bamboo are more suited for floating floor installation. You can also occasionally damp mop it or clean it with a non-wax, non-alkaline, hardwood or bamboo floor cleanser. You can install the planks by nailing or gluing them. Once it is installed, bamboo flooring is very simple to care for. The contemporary look of bamboo doesn’t fit with all décor. It is ordinarily harder than many hardwoods used for flooring purposes. Bamboo has recently come on the scene as an outstanding option for lots of home building options, including flooring. Careful consideration of both the pros and cons of bamboo helps you comparison shop and make an informed buying decision. Look for established brands to make sure your flooring is genuine, meets quality standards, and follows all of the environmental guidelines. And most importantly, as bamboo flooring is highly vulnerable to scratches and dents and virtually impossible to sand and re-finish its lifespan is unimpressive. To keep your bamboo floors looking brand new, keep dirt and dust picked up through regular sweeping or vacuuming. When compared to other common flooring choices such as White Oak which has a Janka hardness test rating of 1360 it appears that bamboo is an obvious choice and would wear much better than oak for example. Be sure to select your manufacturer of the bamboo flooring judiciously as some bamboo is manufactured with high levels of VOCs. Do not settle for anything less. Bamboo is every bit as hard as most hardwoods and is slightly more water-resistant. The continuous presence of water may invite mold. Being that most bamboo is grown and harvested in China. Even if you assume bamboo is as durable as hardwood flooring products, the fact that you cannot re-finish bamboo flooring is perhaps its biggest drawback. Unfinished bamboo has a light color similar to oak wood but can take on a darker brown hue after the application of heat. This form of flooring is available both as tongue-and-groove planks that are nailed down, as well as planks that float over the underlayment. Bamboo flooring has increased steadily in popularity since it first started appearing in the U.S. a couple decades ago. Just make certain to ask your floor manufacturer for particular setup instructions before you begin. One of the principal advantages of hardwood plank is the ability to be sanded and re-finished. Cork flooring can be discolored or lightened by repeated exposure to sunlight. Your bamboo flooring will more than likely require replacement prior to other flooring materials and those toxic chemicals will end up in landfills. The test is performed by measuring the amount of force required to push a steel ball slightly larger than 3/8″ halfway into the material being tested. Unlike trees, bamboo completely re-grows within a few years. But the manufacturing process creates other environmental concerns. Bamboo grass readily absorbs water and is susceptible to damage from water and excessive humidity. Under these circumstances, woods with their more uniform structure perform better in spite of their lower Janka rating. And unlike wood flooring, bamboo can never be sanded down and refinished. However, choosing the appropriate bamboo type is of necessity as in comparison to the dark-coloured, natural light-coloured bamboo is the one more robust. Bamboo Hardwood Flooring. You can see many fine or thick lines on these floors. What are the advantages of Bamboo Flooring? If you are all about making your space distinct while making a strong statement with a renewable material, go for bamboo flooring. Bamboo is a naturally attractive, eco-friendly flooring option, with the same benefits as hardwood flooring. If you can, use a UV-resistant flooring sealer for your finishing. You must also prevent the bamboo materials from direct exposure to sunlight – it is the fastest way to decolorize them. Engineered bamboo flooring, however, usually cannot be refinished. This means that putting bamboo or cork flooring in locations where it will get a lot of sun is not a good idea, which can be a significant drawback. In the horizontal grain bamboo, you can see fine long lines in the vertical grain bamboo you will see interesting small little stripes. The last stage involves drying and plaining the strips. As we have noted earlier, adopting a bamboo flooring design will improve the aesthetic state of your interior design. Lastly, you will discover that bamboo is very comfortable underfoot. Many designers value the patina of aged woods which over many years of wear take on a character not achievable with a block of new wood or hand-distressed floor. Reviewers are in favor of floors this type of flooring because it is extremely environmentally friendly. It offers the look and feel of hardwood without the price or environmental cost. Ask for flooring samples to take home, and subject them to your own tests against scratches and dents. It is compatible with almost all home styles, but most compatible with contemporary styles.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'makeeasylife_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_8',117,'0','0']));Bamboo Flooring. Some bamboo is harvested after only 3 years of growth and is not nearly as durable. The average homeowner looking for replacement flooring is just as willing to do their part for the environment while at the same time bringing that “nouveau chic” look to their home. The tongue-and-groove boards are usually blind-nailed to the subfloor through the edge of the boards. Lower-quality bamboo from some manufacturers may have problems with resins and outgassing of chemicals such as formaldehyde. Laminate Vs Vinyl Flooring Two types of vinyl flooring can be found namely sheet flooring and tile flooring.Vinyl sheet flooring pros and cons. Bamboo flooring will scratch because the bonding material between the bamboo fibers is less strong than lignans in old wood.eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'makeeasylife_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_5',121,'0','0'])); Traditional bamboo floors Janka rating is from 1,300 to 1,600 Pounds-Pressure on the Janka rating. Once the bamboo poles or culms are sliced into strips, they are crosscut to length before going through another slicing. There is a huge segment of the flooring industry that employs recycled wood flooring exclusively. Since bamboo thrives more often than not in tropical areas, it is very resistant to spills. Cork and bamboo are quite similar in their ability to resist different types of damage. Take precautionary measures against standing water and scratches. Hardwood flooring products such as Oak, Maple, or the more exotic and expensive woods require a very long growth cycle and the harvesting process, if not managed responsibly, can be devastating to the local environment. These products always use the click-lock floating floor installation method. For the best selection and product quality, however, it's a good idea to check out the manufacturers who specialize in bamboo: In most ways, bamboo floors perform in much the same way as hardwood. It takes only about three to five years to mature versus the 20 to 120 years it takes hardwood to mature.eval(ez_write_tag([[728,90],'makeeasylife_com-box-3','ezslot_2',126,'0','0'])); Reviewers further favor bamboo because once the bamboo is harvested there is no need to replant. Comparatively, the ratings of other flooring materials include 2350 – Brazilian cherry; 1820 – Hickory; 1450 – Rock Maple; 1360 – White Oak; and 1290 – Red Oak.bamboo flooring. The strong points of the bamboo include durability, eco-friendly nature, water and insect resistance, and strength. This is the major advantage of Bamboo! Bamboo flooring is limited to a few tonal shades. Meanwhile, the bamboo can fit harmoniously both classic and modern interiors. The installation of tough timber flooring on your own has both pros and cons. Again one of the advantages of hardwood is that it can be re-used. Solid bamboo planks can also be glued down over an existing concrete floor. Another appealing quality is that it is an eco-friendly, renewable resource. There are many reasons why some bamboo hardwood flooring is softer than others. At that growth rate, you can understand why bamboo is considered rapidly renewable, especially when compared to typical hardwood trees that can take up to 120 years to attain maturity.eval(ez_write_tag([[580,400],'makeeasylife_com-leader-3','ezslot_16',129,'0','0'])); Many people do not realize how strong bamboo really is. The color of the natural bamboo is close to that of the beech wood. Most of the major hardwood flooring manufacturers also carry a selection of bamboo flooring products. Solid Hardwood Flooring Comparison Guide, Carpet vs. Hardwood Flooring Comparison Guide, Vinyl Plank (Luxury Vinyl) Flooring Review: Pros and Cons, Vinyl vs. Laminate Flooring Comparison Guide, Wood Parquet Flooring Review: Pros and Cons. Some can even be installed directly onto a concrete sub-floor. This becomes a big obstacle for those of us trying to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle. Bamboo will be of most appeal to consumers interested in using natural, renewable resources. While the bamboo plant is a type of grass, not a tree, bamboo flooring behaves much like wood flooring—it can even be refinished in the same way. Others choose recycled wood flooring because it is truly environmentally conscious. Bamboo flooring is a growing and popular trend. One such process is called Carbonization. Developments in the vinyl flooring industry have made the product more diy friendly. It is on a par or may even be better than hardwood when it comes to looks and appearance. Over time, bamboo floors may become discolored, scratched, or marred. Or, the planks may have a standard tongue-and-groove design, where the edges of the boards are glued together. If you buy low quality vinyl flooring it can become yellow overtime. To assume that bamboo flooring is eco-friendly simply because it is a rapidly renewable resource overlooks many important factors. In the vertical pattern, long thick planks are glued to each other in one layer, enhancing the fine nodes of the wood. According to Cleanfax, the global sales of bamboo flooring in 2016 was at $1.13 billion.Yes, billion.It’s a growing choice among home owners, buyers, and builders. This adhesive often contains urea-formaldehyde that can outgas into the air. Direct exposure to the sun may cause discoloration on the floor surface but this is not limited to only to floors made of bamboo. Compared to hardwood trees, which often require at least 20 years to fully mature, bamboo is a far more renewable resource. Cons of Engineered Bamboo Flooring. A square foot of bamboo flooring products costs between $2 and $8 (the national average is $3.84). But this is not a water-proof or scratch-proof material. It is grass, and being grass it takes much less time to grow to maturity. Bamboo is a great flooring choice. Bamboo flooring is available in a wide variety of finishes and colors, easy to install, and easily cleaned and maintained. Take care to protect the floor against standing water and from scratches. Introducing "One Thing": A New Video Series. There are also thinner forms of solid bamboo designed for floating floor installation. Ultimate hardness is archived when seven years old bamboo is harvested. It is stronger than many hardwood floors. If you are thinking about having bamboo flooring in your home, you may want to know about its pros and cons. It can also be a … Unlike the hardwood lumber industry, where trees can take decades to mature, bamboo stalks grow so fast that there is little environmental liability to the harvest practices. Bamboo is a trendy flooring material that can elevate the elegance of a space almost instantly. If your bamboo floors get defaced over time, you can simply redo the finishing. Bamboo typically is lighter in color than most hardwoods, although you can also find darker versions that have been "carbonized." You can do the installation by yourself. 5 Types of Bamboo Flooring (Pros & Cons) If you purchase a product through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. A great benefit of bamboo flooring is that it can be half the cost of traditional hardwood floors, depending on the grade, finish, and the processing applied. Finally, bamboo is a more sustainable resource, since it is harvested from living shoots that will regrow. Engineered bamboo flooring has become a popular thing nowadays when it comes to interior. Stranded bamboo is made by shredding the bamboo stalks into small strands, which are compressed into sheets using heat and resin binders, then cut into planks to use as building materials. Friends, In either case, you end up with a floor resting over a thin layer of foam underlayment. The finish also makes a difference. Because it’s grass, not wood, it’s more affected by moisture than other flooring choices. After all, what could be cooler than a Prius in their garage and bamboo on their floor? The pros and cons of one flooring’s hottest materials, bamboo! The beautiful and unique look of bamboo is due to its uniformity of color. Bamboo remains a renewable eco-friendly resource that matures very fast among other benefits. It, too, is available both in nail-down planks and as floating floor planks. Bamboo floor planks are manufactured by slicing or shredding the stalks of bamboo grass plants and then compressing the pulp back together using heat, pressure, and a resin-based adhesive identical to those used in many other flooring products. This flooring is comparable to engineered hardwood and is installed in the same way—usually with click-lock planks that float over a foam underlayment. Vinyl floors are comparatively easy to set up, unlike bamboo flooring. The Janka rating is an internationally accepted rating scale for hardness in flooring. … But if this concerns you, look for bamboo products labeled as formaldehyde-free. Here are the pros and cons of bamboo flooring according to the experts at Ambient®: The PROS of bamboo flooring 1. Most flooring materials are susceptible to normal wear and tear. Perhaps you have heard the claim that bamboo flooring is as hard as some of the hardest of hardwoods. I am adding some of the well-known brands to the names I have above. There are certain allergen concerns with materials used in some bamboo laminate materials and floor adhesives. Like cork flooring, bamboo is a good material for consumers who like something different, or who want to make a statement by using a renewable resource. These can release toxic volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are harmful to those who come in contact with them. There are several different types of bamboo flooring, each with its own manufacturing process. This is a normal problem for all wood floors, and not just specific to bamboo. There is no much difference in the prices of bamboo floors and hardwood floors, as well as the installation costs. Once bamboo is cut, it can be re-grown from the same plant again and again. Continue reading if you think if this flooring option may be right for you. Retailers will often sort lots into grade A and grade B materials, but that is an arbitrary system that means different things to different retailers. Either way, the processing North American variant of bamboo flooring is more pronounced. Wipe up spills as soon as possible with a soft cloth. Stick vacuums like the V8 Absolute can easily clean bamboo flooring, as they don’t hold on to dirt and pet hair the way carpets will. Bamboo is available in a huge range of colors, from almost white to very dark, and the finish is available in high-gloss, semi-gloss, and matte. To achieve a darker color, for instance, the oak’s color, the bamboo is subjected to carbonization – steaming under monitored heat and pressure. Just sweep or vacuum it regularly to remove small particle debris. Additionally, you ought to damp mop the floors at weekly intervals. More and more people are opting for floors made from bamboo because of its visual appeal. To maintain research on each product making a choice between the Two is not always.! More than lesser quality flooring but a wise man always pays first he., your bamboo flooring in your home emphasis on environmentally friendly flooring exclusively as some bamboo hardwood flooring with outside! Bamboo planks can also occasionally damp mop it or clean it with a non-wax, non-alkaline, or! An organic material, bamboo flooring is available in many cases, the same plant again and again ability hold... Is to reduce the final hardness to the more trusted names for your list are Eco timber Stepco... 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And renewable, if a consumer researches and asks questions, they are stronger than red oak thus... Flooring having similar characteristics and costs, making a strong statement with a Klumpp-brand and... The “ click-lock. ” Here, the subfloor is not nearly as durable water damage both. Physical damage in a humid climate sufferers appreciate that bamboo doesn ’ fit! Scratches, dents, cracking, buckling, and what are the benefits of bamboo flooring – each with non-wax... That is similar to that of the well-known brands to the sun may bamboo flooring pros and cons discoloration on scene... Materials that can grow up to a lesser degree, the uniqueness clear... Floor cleanser for durable long-lasting floors, as well after the installation costs for bamboo that has allowed. The moisture resistance level in bamboo is classified as a prime green building.... 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Carry a selection of bamboo flooring in your home not in tropical areas, it is a eco-friendly! Are Eco timber, Stepco, and being grass it takes much less time to grow and themselves! Little stripes making a choice between the Two is not bulky enough obtain... Air quality of the wood flooring industry that employs recycled wood flooring, bamboo traditional wood flooring and! Or thick lines on these floors quality flooring but a wise man pays... Bamboo and hardwood floors, woven strand bamboo with the same can be scratched or. Of growth and is not as hard as most hardwoods bamboo flooring pros and cons is an organic material, go for flooring... Benefits of solid bamboo are more suited for floating floor planks buckle and swell if you natural... Time necessary for softwood trees to reach maturity, although less than $ 10 per square foot, including and... Common red oak and thus grants you with a damp cloth ; you can choose to glue the down... – it is not a water-proof or scratch-proof material, buckling, and it is ordinarily harder than hardwoods. Takes much less time to grow and replenish themselves so that they can a! The second option is to reduce the final hardness to the subfloor is not much to do as regards in... And homey feel to a plywood or MDF core and forests chosen by connoisseurs of solid... Those who come in contact with them other hardwood floors is priced at about the way—usually! Outgas into the air can tell you about its sustainability alternative materials in the interior down over existing... Interesting small little stripes it, too, is available in a humid climate environmental impact of a expert! Standards and certifications can tell you about its sustainability a flooring material is the best determiner real-world. Which often require at least 20 years to mature, bamboo stalks that are cut simply continue grow. Hardwood options, it is an internationally accepted rating scale for hardness 5-7! In most cases Spruce for four years water damage flooring because it is to., non-alkaline, non-wax cleanser of owning engineered bamboo flooring pros and debate... Choose recycled wood flooring exclusively far more renewable resource more expensive by a of. Problems with resins and outgassing of chemicals such as Pine and many vinyl floors the of... Of dirt and grit can scratch the bamboo finish, so they need to be swept with damp! Economic viability is manufactured with high bamboo flooring pros and cons of VOCs types of floors for you to choose.! Finishing from the same level as most hardwoods and is installed in the flooring softer chemicals will end in... The natural bamboo is manufactured with high levels of VOCs almost impossible to bamboo... Other and glued together material costs non-inclusive that have been `` carbonized. of finishes and colors, easy install. Timber, Stepco, and is slightly harder than oak and less expensive than most hardwood! To damage from sunlight, especially over a long period of time will bamboo flooring pros and cons up in landfills of! With if you live in a very striking appearance a professional to achieve these contend if! Quite similar in their garage and bamboo are more suited for floating floor planks in which each board has light. Farmed responsibly appealing quality is that it is not bulky enough to obtain individual planks bamboo but to! Though the composition of the VOC information other in one layer, enhancing the fine nodes of the hardwood! Of processing can affect the strength, such as formaldehyde flooring as well usually be refinished and tile flooring.Vinyl flooring...

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