WHAT IS BAMBOO?
What exactly is bamboo? Is it a viable option to hardwood flooring?
Bamboo is a member of the sugar cane family, widely grown throughout Asia in particular. It is technically not a wood, but a rapidly growing GRASS. It is touted to be the fastest growing plant on earth, and its tensile strength has been compared to steel. Bamboo has the capability of not only fast growth, but also has the capacity to restore degraded agricultural land and can re-grow without replanting.
Bamboo is typically called wood or bamboo hardwood flooring. Though not recommended for use on bathroom floors, bamboo may be used for any other flooring needs.
Unlike tropical hardwoods, which may need 50-100 years to reach maturity, bamboo can reach maturity in a mere 5 years!
Bamboo Hardwood Floors:
Pros and Cons
We all want to know if bamboo flooring is REALLY superior to hardwood – and if so, why? You have likely heard that bamboo has extreme hardness and is good for high traffic areas. Perhaps you’ve also heard that bamboo is eco-friendly because it is a rapidly renewable resource. Bamboo is also touted to be more stable than most tropical hardwood (less likelihood of severe shrinking or expansion due to humidity fluctuations).
WHAT ARE THE CONS OF BAMBOO WOOD FLOORS?
Well, that depends.
The positive or negative characteristics of bamboo wood floors depend to a great degree on the quality of manufacture.
Since bamboo manufacturers seem to be “a dime a dozen” nowadays, you need to ask some hard questions.
Here’s what to look for:
- Are the stalks mature? (younger stalks do not have the durability of matured bamboo)
- Are the stalks dried properly? If kiln dried, to what % of moisture content? (the lower the better; preferably 6-8%)
- Is the bamboo from environmentally sound sources? (such as plantations in which no herbicides, pesticides or chemical fertilizers are applied)
- Are the stalks cut cleanly? Laminated tightly?
- What adhesives are used? Are they formaldehyde free? (or low enough to meet stringent quality control standards) Is the adhesive cheap and subject to deterioration under normal conditions?
- Does the company import from numerous mills? Or are there strict quality control measures in place?
- What is the warranty on the product?
- How tough is the finish on the product? Does it have a scratch-resistant topcoat? Is it abrasion-resistant?
- Can this particular brand be sanded and refinished like hardwood?
- Is there an outlet nearby, or must you have it shipped for long distances?
As you can see, there are many factors to consider. In a nutshell: find a reputable company = find a reputable product.
Does it meet the qualifications of a green building product? If you do your research and are satisfied with quality answers, bamboo wood floors may add value not only to your living space, but may actually increase the value of your home as well.
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