I was recently asked my opinion about Bamboo flooring and to be honest my knowledge was very limited. So I did a little research and here is what I found.
Bamboo has recently become the hottest trend in flooring. Bamboo is not a wood at all, it is a grass. Hardwood floors are produced from trees which can take decades to grow to maturity, where as bamboo can be harvested within 4 to 5 years. Since it is a grass, it is harvested again and again from the same plant and requires minimal fertilization or pesticides.
The manufacturing process begins by first splitting the hollow round shoots and boiling the strips to remove the starch. The strips are then dried and bonded together with urea–formaldehyde adhesive to form a solid board, which is then milled into standard size planks. The flooring is then treated with a relatively nontoxic boric acid that serves as a preservative. Since bamboo flooring is a laminated product, it is less likely to warp, cup or gap.
Bamboo flooring is usually sold in a pre-finished form, meaning once installed the floor does not require any additional work. Bamboo is available in its light natural luster color or darker shades produced by carbonization. Carbonization occurs when the bamboo is placed under high temperature and pressure. This causes the sugar content in the bamboo fibers to darken and results in a honey – brown color. The shade depends on the length of the process, the longer the process the darker the shade.
Bamboo hardwood flooring is an excellent choice for locations with high humidity or moisture levels, making it a perfect fit for Houston, Texas. Hardwood floors are not usually recommended for kitchens or baths but because it grows in tropical regions, bamboo is naturally resistive to moisture. Being resistive to moisture also means bamboo is resistive to spills and stains, a feature desired for any floor.
Surprising this grass plant is stronger and harder then most hardwoods. It has been tested to be harder than red oak which is the benchmark of hardwoods. It also is very resilient and can take a greater impact without denting.
Installation of bamboo plank flooring is as easy and is done in the same manner as any other plank flooring. It can either be directly glued, stapled or nailed down. Maintenance for bamboo flooring is the same as most pre-finished flooring, occasionally clean with a light damp mop and sweep or vacuum
when needed. Help guard against scratches and dents by placing protective pads under furniture.
As an alternative to traditional hardwood flooring, bamboo is; exceptionally attractive, resilient and strong, dimensionally stable, moisture and stain resistive and environmentally friendly.
In most cases it is comparable or a bit less expensive than most hardwoods.
With these reasons, is it surprising that bamboo is the hottest trend in flooring?
Gonzalo S. Garcia, CGR, GMB, CAPS
JRG BUILDER & REMODELER’S
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