If you are like many homeowners, you might want to remodel your home with some new bamboo flooring. You will need to know all about this new flooring option before you decide what would be best for your house. If you are ready for this interesting new green home addition, it’s time to learn the basics about bamboo flooring.
Benefits Of Bamboo Flooring
Bamboo Flooring Beauty
Because bamboo flooring is produced out of a grass plant rather than a tree, the appearance of bamboo flooring is quite remarkable. Its nodes produce darker bands that area treat to the eye, and its grain is much tighter than traditional hardwood. It also carries a superior uniformity of color compared to traditional hardwood flooring.
Bamboo Flooring Durability
One of the biggest benefits of bamboo flooring is that the hollow plant from which bamboo flooring is derived, is actually quite a bit more durable and stronger than the majority of hardwood floors, higher often higher than even maple and oak. Bamboo flooring can take a large impact without any denting and also possesses strong moisture resistance due to its origins in tropical regions. Bamboo flooring virtually never gaps, cups, or warps.
Bamboo Flooring Problems
No flooring option is perfect, and bamboo is no different from any other flooring option in this sense. One of the biggest issues that bamboo flooring has deals with the manufacturing practices of Chinese bamboo flooring companies. Many people have ordered bamboo flooring from Chinese companies only to find out later that the flooring that they have installed contain unsafe levels of formaldehyde and other chemicals. Many companies from abroad do not have strict (or any) manufacturing regulations when it comes to user safety. Nothing is worse for new parents than finding out that their floors might be adversely affecting their baby’s health.
Another issue that has caused concern is the cost of shipping bamboo flooring materials to the US and elsewhere. This is something that just cannot be avoided, and needs to be taken into account. This has become less of an issue, since there have been more US producers of bamboo lately. Moreover, new bamboo flooring technology advances have driven down prices considerably.
Cost of Bamboo: Bamboo Flooring Prices
Bamboo material is actually not too expensive, since bamboo plants grow very quickly and are very sustainable. If you want bamboo flooring, it’s possible to find this natural material for as low as $1.60 per square foot. Most bamboo flooring materials will be more expensive, at around $2.70 to $3.00. This doesn’t take into account installation costs, which will vary greatly from company to company.
Bamboo Flooring Review
Bamboo Laminate Flooring
Bamboo laminate flooring is a great choice for people who want the look of a hardwood floor, the feel of a luxurious wood, and the trendiness of bamboo without having to spend a fortune. This is a great pick for homeowners who want to add some Oriental flair to their home, as well as those who want to give their home a modern edge. It’s easy to find, low maintenance, and low cost.
Engineered Bamboo Flooring
This is a mix of a top layer of bamboo with two bottom layers of high density fiber board. Engineered bamboo flooring is much less expensive than original bamboo flooring, and also is extremely durable. This is excellent for areas where high humidity is common, and this flooring also helps add stability to a house.
Strand Woven Bamboo Flooring
Strand woven bamboo flooring is a good pick for just about any environment. Because of its unusual manufacturing process, it’s considered to be cutting edge technology that will rapidly increase in popularity. Because of the fact that it offers stability, durability, and also the ease of installation that makes it a breeze for contractors to install, strand woven bamboo flooring is expected to stay in the flooring world.
Floating Bamboo Flooring
Floating bamboo flooring “clicks” into place, which makes it a great choice for subflooring types that most hardwood floors cannot work with. Concrete and cement subfloors can work with floating bamboo flooring, making it a favorite among homeowners who simply must have bamboo floors in their basement. It’s also very easy to install, which makes it a hit with builder as well.
Carbonized Bamboo Flooring
Carbonized bamboo is bamboo that is slowly heated in order to change into a slightly ruddy, amber hue. For people who enjoy the rich look of maple or oak finishes, carbonize bamboo flooring is an excellent choice to consider. Still sustainable, yet beautifully elegant, carbonized bamboo flooring is a hit with interior designers. Carbonized bamboo flooring is a good pick for people who love the idea of having a floor with a deep color without having to break the bank for nonsustainable materials.
If you are a homeowner who is considering adding bamboo flooring to your basement, living room, or bedroom, you aren’t alone. Most homeowners who want to get their homes remodeled with new flooring decide to talk to a flooring expert, an interior designer, or a salesperson who understands the difference between different kinds of bamboo flooring. After all, the best flooring that you can buy is going to be the bamboo flooring that really fits your needs and your budget.