Bamboo flooring is now a days highly recommendable instead of hardwood flooring as it resembles hardwood flooring in many ways and has many similarities. Bamboo flooring has a chic and exotic look but besides this, it is relatively inexpensive which makes bamboo flooring highly recommendable so you should opt for bamboo flooring. But first, try to understand its benefits and drawbacks before installing any type of flooring as it is essential to know the flooring goes with your lifestyle.
A bamboo floor is a type of flooring manufactured from the bamboo plant. The majority of today’s bamboo flooring products originate in China and other portions of Asia. Moso bamboo is the species most commonly used for flooring. First, understand its ups and downs, we hope this information proves helpful to you.
Table of Contents
UPS OF BAMBOO FLOORING
Durable
Bamboo flooring is highly recommended because of it highly quality and also long last like the traditional hardwood flooring. The hardness of traditional bamboo flooring ranges from 1180 (carbonized horizontal) to around 1380 (natural), while newer manufacturing techniques including strand woven bamboo flooring range from 3000 to over 5000 using the Janka hardness test. Other flooring materials have comparable Janka ratings, with a higher number indicating a harder material: red oak (1290); white oak (1360); rock maple (1450); hickory (1820); and Brazilian Cherry / Jatoba (2350).
A Stylish Flooring Option
For those who like easy-clean floors and modern esthetic then bamboo flooring has the properties that lend to a modern lifestyle making your life comfortable. This trending bamboo flooring is so unique and elegant and also similar to hardwood flooring. The difference between them is subtle but yet is undeniable.
Variety
And also, it has many varieties in terms of style and color so no need to worry you will find bamboo flooring according to your house but you also need to research the colors first as a dark color results from heat treatment softens the bamboo flooring. Different forms of bamboo flooring exist. Each varies in its manufacturing process and differs largely based on economic viability and local preferences.
Eco-Friendly
As bamboo is fast-growing grass so it takes about five years to become strong and durable and is Eco-friendly, many people find it more suitable than hardwood flooring. The United States Green Building Council’s LEED program allows points for the use of bamboo floors by virtue of it being a rapidly renewable resource.
A Natural Material
Because the use of natural material resulting in better air circulation especially during the warmer summer months and is the best option for environment-friendly people. Manufactured bamboo floors are typically made available in planks with either vertical- or horizontal-grain orientation. In vertical bamboo floors, the component pieces are stood vertically on their narrowest edge and then press laminated side to side. The effect is a lined, almost uniform look to the surface of the finished floor plank.
Easy to Maintain
Like most hardwood floors, bamboo floors should be treated carefully. When mopping, it is best to use a dust mop to remove the dust and grime. A stiff-bristled broom can be used to remove more stubborn dirt from the crevices of the floor. Wet mops should be avoided on bamboo flooring. When it is necessary to mop the floor, wring the mop out thoroughly to prevent any extra water from being released onto the floor.
Able to be Refinished
As bamboo flooring can become decolored, dented, scratched over time so no worry they can be easily refinished as needed. Typically, while installing bamboo flooring it is covered by many layers to protect it. Many detergents contain a waxing agent which will dull the color of the flooring and leave behind a filmy glaze. Strand woven bamboo flooring can be refinished with a clear-coat quite easily, however, applying a stain on-site can be challenging.
Somewhat Water Resistant
As compared to hardwood flooring, bamboo flooring is far more resistant than hardwood in terms of water, stains, and warping but this doesn’t mean it exempt from damage but is far more durable than hardwood. That’s the reason it is recommended worldwide than hardwood and people opt for it as its long lasts.
Low Cost
With the comparison of hardwood flooring and its exotic look, it is highly inexpensive and you can afford it easily as bamboo flooring costs from $5-$8 per square foot so be on your guard and opt for bamboo flooring as it is cheap then hardwood flooring but has high quality than hardwood.
DOWNS OF BAMBOO FLOORING
(Note: The photos given in the “downs” section are not meant to give a poor image of the bamboo flooring rather then they are given to give you accurate information on bamboo flooring and image evidence of bamboo flooring for your accommodation)
Liable to Scratches
Low-quality bamboo gets scratches easily and is impossible to keep it smooth as used regularly as its smoothness wears out over time. Furniture, pets, and even pointy-headed things can damage it over time but you can refinish it and renew it as it is cheap.
Potential for Water Damage
As I told you above it is more water-resistant then traditional hardwood but being a natural component so high moisture can cause warping, discoloring, and even mold growth so water can also damage it but is more resistant then hardwood. it is necessary to mop the floor, wring the mop out thoroughly to prevent any extra water from being released onto the floor.
Sensitivity to Humidity
It is highly sensitive to humidity depending on bamboo planks size, splitting can occur in any dry or wet environments. For example, if you have installed it in a humid area, the plank will expand and also split from any size result in cracking and destruction of your floor.
Potential for Softness
If bamboo isn’t allowed to grow and mature and is harvested in about 3 months it will look great but inside it is soft and endurable and will not long last and also un-carbonized and strand woven bamboo flooring is harder and more durable while darker bamboo reflects a weekended structure and general surface.
Less Stylistically Versatile
Bamboo also gives rooms a lighter feel than other hardwood floors. To maintain the beauty and durability of bamboo, you need to apply a floor sealant soon after it is installed and once or several times a year, depending on how the flooring was finished at the factory. Urethane is the best finish for durability.
Possible Toxins Emission
Some bamboo floorboards are manufactured with toxic, formaldehyde containing glues, Godfrey says. These can outgas VOCs (volatile organic compounds). During the manufacturing of bamboo floors, some manufacturers use urea-formaldehyde as the adhesive for bonding the bamboo strips. According to the stringent California Air Resources Board (CARB) standards, there can be no more than 0.05 ppm (parts per million) of outgassed formaldehyde.[11] According to the USGBC’s LEED standard products with Urea-formaldehyde do not qualify for the EQ 4.4 Low-Emitting Products category.[12] Manufacturers are now offering formaldehyde-free bamboo flooring, but they can claim that they have “no added urea-formaldehyde” without providing substantial proof. Manufacturers may make use of equipment that may in itself be dangerous and polluting.
Questionable Harvesting Problems
Bamboo flooring has led to deforestation, as existing trees are cut down to be replaced with bamboo plantations; this results in soil erosion in the often hilly and mountainous areas occupied by forestland, along with a loss of biodiversity in the region as other flora and fauna are cleared for bamboo. Additionally, the use of pesticides, weed killers, and fertilizers in bamboo production can have an effect on the environment.
