Bamboo Flooring
Bamboo flooring provides another avenue for those looking for something other than hardwood. Growing in popularity as an alternative, bamboo flooring has many attractive features that make it a viable option for modern homeowners. Although harvested mostly in China, bamboo flooring can now be found easily in both European and North American markets. Many early adopters of bamboo flooring point out its environmental friendliness. The bamboo plant regrows within a few seasons and can be harvested repeatedly without permanent damage. In fact, the bamboo plant is considered a grass, as it grows much quicker than any tree. When done responsibly, bamboo plant harvesting can be done without causing any permanent damage.
How does bamboo flooring compare with traditional hardwoods? High quality bamboo flooring is harder and more durable than even the most expensive hardwood flooring. Moisture is also less of a problem for bamboo flooring. Where traditional hardwood may cup and crown because of water exposure, bamboo flooring can absorb the moisture without a problem. Bamboo flooring is processed as a laminate and treated under very high pressure with a high quality adhesive. This makes bamboo flooring very resistant to abrasions and scratches, where less treated hardwood floors may show scratches after a while. Bamboo flooring has become significantly more affordable in the past few years as well.
Best of all, bamboo flooring can typically be installed at home without any professional assistance. Like many of the newer hardwoods, bamboo flooring is produced with a tongue and groove construction, making them considerably easier to install. Before installing a bamboo floor, allow the planks to adjust to their new environment for no less than 72 hours. Although bamboo flooring does not suffer from water damage like hardwood, they do need some time to adjust to their new climate before installation.
What steps need to be taken in order to provide upkeep for a bamboo floor? Upkeep requirements are fairly simple for bamboo flooring. Make certain to sweep and mop the floor after it is laid down. Regular dusting and sweeping should be done after installation. This will prevent a build up of dust that can dull the finish. A mat should be placed at the entrance to prevent dust and dirt from coming into the room. Dirt and small rocks can easily scratch the finish, and a mat can do a great deal to prevent this problem.