Bamboo flooring has been receiving an increasing amount of buzz in the past year. This has to do for many reasons. Bamboo flooring is an environmentally sustainable flooring option that is reasonably priced, durable, and can look beautiful. Read on, and we will go in depth into the pros and cons of bamboo flooring, and tips on how to find cheap bamboo flooring.
First of all, let´s take a quick look at bamboo. This is a material that has been used for centuries in many parts of the world, but is only now starting to see widespread use throughout North America. It can be used for basic needs such as tools, but we are now seeing it used for just about anything you can think of – furniture, flooring, gates, even cutting boards. No doubt people will find even more innovative uses for bamboo in the years to come.
So what is the big deal with bamboo? Why is it so popular?
Bamboo is considered a “green” self-sustainable building material. It is much better for the environment to cut-down bamboo forests, than other typical hardwoods for which bamboo is used as a substitute. There are many reasons for this. First of all, bamboo grows insanely fast. It can be harvested every four to six years, as opposed to most hardwoods, which can take up to 10 times as long! Furthermore, after bamboo has been harvested, it does not have to be replanted. It will grow back on its own. Hardwood forests all have to be replanted after they have been harvested, and if they aren´t, they don´t grow back.
Not only does bamboo grow really quickly, but there are other things that set it apart from your typical hardwood. It grows in many types of soils, even ones that have been stripped of their nutrients. Bamboo grows very densely, and grows large leaves. These help protect the soil from wind and rain erosion. Bamboo also has a very high nitrogen consumption rate, which means it helps remove unhealthy amounts of oxygen from surrounding soil. This is good for the plants and farm animals nearby.
As you can see, Bamboo is a powerhouse when it comes to being good for the environment. For this reason, it is much more environmentally responsible to harvest bamboo than by permanently clearing hardwood forests.
We can see that bamboo is good for the environment, but that is not the only reason you may want to consider its use for your flooring needs. Bamboo is a very hard and durable wood, especially if you purchase strand woven bamboo. You can find it in different shades with varying designs, and it easily looks as good as any hardwood flooring available. It is also easy to find, and considering the value you receive from this flooring, it is a great value.
Of course, bamboo flooring is not perfect, and there are some downsides you may want to consider. Although it is fairly hard, it is not as hard and durable as certain hardwood floors such as oak or cherry. Also, although there is a variety of shades and patterns to choose from, you still can´t find it in the same shade as certain other hardwood floors. There is also a huge variation in both price and quality, depending on where you purchase it from.
If you do decide to purchase bamboo flooring, it is recommended you search out 3 or 4 of the most reputable dealers around town. It can be purchased online, but the quality you receive is not guaranteed, nor is the way in which the bamboo was produced. Online purchase can be much cheaper though, and is an option if you are looking for economical flooring. If you purchase from a local dealer, ask them for the best price they will give you, and find that price out from the different dealers you go to. You can often get an even better deal if you install the flooring on your own.
Although bamboo flooring is not for everyone, it makes a great option for those looking for high quality, durable flooring that is good for the environment. With our current environmental woes, you should seriously consider this as a substitute to regular hard wood flooring.
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