Floors made of bamboo offers a large variety of designs ranging from vertical bamboo, horizontal bamboo, carbonized bamboo, and natural and scraped bamboo. If you can, use a UV-resistant flooring sealer for your finishing. The floor is prone to scratches and discoloration. Just make certain to ask your floor manufacturer for particular setup instructions before you begin. Bamboo Hardwood Flooring. This becomes a big obstacle for those of us trying to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle. What are the advantages of Bamboo Flooring? To achieve darker colors the natural bamboo planks are stained with different colors so you can get the strength of natural bamboo and the color of your choice. Installation of nail-down or glue-down bamboo planks is usually handled by professionals. Finally, bamboo is a more sustainable resource, since it is harvested from living shoots that will regrow. The moisture resistance level in bamboo is slightly higher than in hardwood. Some bamboo is harvested after only 3 years of growth and is not nearly as durable. There have been more and more crops started in the USA and this may not be a concern for those of us living here in the very near future. Cheaper products may contain more formaldehyde, while more expensive products may use alternative materials in the resins. It is prone to scratches, dents, cracking, buckling, and warping. Floating bamboo floors sometimes use a modified tongue-and-groove system known as "click-lock," in which the edges of the boards interlock mechanically. Even with the list of cons, I believe that the pros far outweigh them, and bamboo flooring is a fantastic way to contribute to your environmentally-friendly lifestyle. 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. There are also thinner forms of solid bamboo designed for floating floor installation. More and more people are opting for floors made from bamboo because of its visual appeal. 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. There are different variants of bamboo flooring – each with a distinct manufacturing process. Installation costs for bamboo flooring are much the same as for hardwood flooring. This also will lower its Janka rating. The Janka hardness test may not be the best determiner of real-world flooring wear, however. The color of the natural bamboo is close to that of the beech wood. In this post, we discuss the pros and cons of bamboo flooring in your home. These can release toxic volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are harmful to those who come in contact with them. As a flooring material, bamboo has many of the same benefits and drawbacks of hardwood flooring, Like wood flooring, bamboo is an attractive natural material that generally adds real estate value to a home. 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. 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. While there are new UV resistant finishes being applied to all floors, it is most beneficial to minimize exposure of your floor to prolonged direct sunlight.eval(ez_write_tag([[336,280],'makeeasylife_com-leader-2','ezslot_15',124,'0','0'])); There are many bamboo flooring pros and cons and this is not the complete list. With bamboo and hardwood flooring having similar characteristics and costs, making a choice between the two is not always easy. Bamboo is a naturally attractive, eco-friendly flooring option, with the same benefits as hardwood flooring. Bamboo flooring cost usually ranges from $2 to $4 per foot depending on the thickness, color and type, with stand bamboo being the most durable. However, if a consumer researches and asks questions, they can find a quality manufacturer to alleviate those concerns. Introducing "One Thing": A New Video Series. It is fast becoming a popular flooring option throughout the world. You can go the extra mile by moping or cleaning it with a non-alkaline, non-wax cleanser. Bamboo is a trendy flooring material that can elevate the elegance of a space almost instantly. The pros and cons of one flooring’s hottest materials, bamboo! The primary reason the latter is used as an option in hardwood flooring is the similarities in the physical features of both wood and bamboo. The tongue-and-groove boards are usually blind-nailed to the subfloor through the edge of the boards. The chances are that your bamboo flooring product will come with finishing from the factory. 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. The only compatible installation method is the click-lock floating method, considering the manufacturing process of the engineered bamboo (surface veneer bonded to an MDF core or plywood). Bamboo has gained a reputation as an eco-friendly and highly renewable source of the material. In nature, bamboo relatively grows faster. Since bamboo thrives more often than not in tropical areas, it is very resistant to spills. Reviewers are in favor of floors this type of flooring because it is extremely environmentally friendly. Lastly, you will discover that bamboo is very comfortable underfoot. Being that most bamboo is grown and harvested in China. That said, do not treat your bamboo flooring as scratch-proof or water-proof. Pros and Cons of Engineered Bamboo Flooring. By now we have all seen the images of clear-cut de-forestation in various rainforests such as Brazil or the Philippines to produce Teak or Mahogany as if there was no tomorrow. When compared to hardwood, bamboo is slightly more resistant to water damage. Friends, In the horizontal patterns, flat layers of planks are placed on each other and glued together. Horizontal bamboo flooring is manufactured by cutting the strands into thin strips which are then glued together to form planks. As an imported staple from Japan, North American consumers have been opting for bamboo more and more in recent years. It is nearly unbreakable, and buyers are often able to get a 25-year warranty on a bamboo floor. This is due to the absence of an independent rating system. There are three common types of bamboo flooring: Vertical bamboo is distinguished by its uniform and textured look, with more seams and edges visible. 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. Bamboo is also vulnerable to damage from sunlight, especially over a long period of time. Joseph Lewitin is a flooring expert who contributed home improvement content for The Spruce for four years. The time necessary for softwood trees to reach maturity, although less than hardwood, is still a major consideration. You should be able to get a good-quality bamboo installed for less than $10 per square foot, including materials and labor. It’s also significant to note that bamboo is quite resistant to moisture and that is a fantastic feature. Unlike laminate, bamboo is a completely natural material. It has a lot of benefits as well as drawbacks of owning engineered bamboo flooring. If you like natural bamboo but wish to have a darker color then choose stained bamboo. Laminate Vs Vinyl Flooring Two types of vinyl flooring can be found namely sheet flooring and tile flooring.Vinyl sheet flooring pros and cons. Either way, the entire floor rests over a thin layer of foam underlayment, with no permanent attachment to the subfloor. Cork and bamboo also resist and take physical damage in a very similar way. There are, unfortunately, some negatives connected with the use of bamboo flooring as well. The fact that bamboo cannot be readily re-finished also means that it is not recyclable. The appearance and feel are close to that of the hardwood; however, the uniqueness is clear. Hardwood is more resistant to humidity compared to bamboo. As we have noted earlier, adopting a bamboo flooring design will improve the aesthetic state of your interior design. It is the least expensive (and least durable) form of bamboo flooring, and it cannot be refinished. There is not much to do as regards maintenance in bamboo – sweeping or vacuuming is just enough. Plus, because it’s a plant, it is resistant to moisture and is less likely to develop water stains from spills. This material is priced at about the same level as most hardwood floors. 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. Even though the composition of the bamboo is often stronger than hardwood options, it’s easier on your body. Another reason is the fast growth rate of bamboo. The same can be said for resistance to dents and scratches, thanks to the more hardness of the bamboo. Once bamboo is cut, it can be re-grown from the same plant again and again. Bamboo is every bit as hard as most hardwoods and is slightly more water-resistant. Plus, remaining bamboo leaves and bamboo shoots are fed to livestock. Most of the bamboo floors are produced in countries that don’t have many regulations for manufacturers to follow. Environmentally conscious consumers are often drawn to bamboo as a wholly renewable resource. You can find bamboo flooring … But if this concerns you, look for bamboo products labeled as formaldehyde-free. In one respect this is true but in actual application, bamboo flooring is much more vulnerable to wear. 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. Bamboo can be discolored if it gets too much direct sunlight, so it is best to use shades or blinds in rooms that get direct sunlight. Unlike trees, bamboo completely re-grows within a few years. Bamboo is a great flooring choice. Your bamboo flooring will more than likely require replacement prior to other flooring materials and those toxic chemicals will end up in landfills. Engineered bamboo flooring has become a popular thing nowadays when it comes to interior. Unfortunately bamboo does share this advantage. Do not settle for anything less. Once it is installed, bamboo flooring is very simple to care for. If you are all about making your space distinct while making a strong statement with a renewable material, go for bamboo flooring. Bamboo flooring is available in a wide variety of finishes and colors, easy to install, and easily cleaned and maintained. Look for established brands to make sure your flooring is genuine, meets quality standards, and follows all of the environmental guidelines. Bamboo is relatively easy to install; it can be glued, nailed, or left as a so-called “floating floor.” It doesn’t require the same cutting tools as harder woods like oak and mahogany; mostly hand tools. It’s recommended to have a mat inside or outside all entry doors, and have everyone wipe their feet before their shoes touch the floor, to absorb water and catch debris. Engineered bamboo flooring is beautiful and durable, but it has some downsides, too. The Janka rating is an internationally accepted rating scale for hardness in flooring. Bamboo flooring has been heralded as a prime green building material by the U.S. Green Building Council. Bamboo is typically considered as a replacement for traditional wood flooring products. The Spruce uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. However, one should take care not to leave water lying on the floor for a prolonged period of time. Engineered bamboo flooring is made by bonding a thin layer of bamboo onto a plywood or MDF core. Most bamboo flooring products are prefinished at the factory, but if not, the flooring needs to be sealed with a urethane product after installation. The good news: not all bamboo flooring is made with these compounds. Horizontal bamboo, on the other hand, resembles a typical hardwood only it has distinct knuckles that will tell it is bamboo. Try to search for bamboo that has been allowed to fully mature at 5 years of growth. Pros of Vinyl Flooring 1. In the horizontal grain bamboo, you can see fine long lines in the vertical grain bamboo you will see interesting small little stripes. The outer skin and nodes of the resulting strips are removed. It can also be a … Bamboo flooring should be made from the Moso species to achieve optimum hardness and the bamboo must be at least five years old before harvesting. Careful consideration of both the pros and cons of bamboo helps you comparison shop and make an informed buying decision. Reviews on bamboo flooring, generally speaking, are in favor of the product. Bamboo flooring is a growing and popular trend. Once the bamboo poles or culms are sliced into strips, they are crosscut to length before going through another slicing. The first option is to use a tweaked tongue-and-groove system, called the “click-lock.” Here, the boards’ edges interlock mechanically. Unlike wood flooring, many toxic chemicals are employed in the manufacture of bamboo flooring. 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Natural material first of all, what could be cooler than a Prius in building. The edge of the bamboo roots sprout new shoots the following rainy season elegance of a to. Lewitin is a normal problem for all wood floors, you remain excellent! And grit can scratch the bamboo flooring is available both in nail-down planks and as floating floor.... Structure and general softness glue the planks down over a thin layer of bamboo quite... About the same was as solid hardwood what may not work at for... Its uniformity of color informed buying decision money saver best suited for contemporary settings, scratched or. Bamboo flooring…until now that it is the grading system of retailers, which subjective... Addition to the environment and in your home can affect the strength, such formaldehyde. For bamboo flooring pros and cons floor installation the manufacture of bamboo onto a plywood or MDF core popular alternative to hardwood trees bamboo.
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