Bamboo flooring can instantly transform a room into a classy and elegant living space. Millions of homes enjoy the benefits of hardwood flooring, but why is bamboo becoming such a more and more commonly chosen floor that is taking away from the previously dominated hardwood market? There are reasons, some really really good ones at that. Let’s explore…
Environmentally Friendly / Eco-Friendly
There are many kinds of hardwood flooring available, red oak, white oak, hickory, birch, cherry, maple and more are all popular types of hardwood flooring, but they’re far from the being environmentally friendly. Oak trees can take about 15 to 20 years to grow to maturity. A birch tree takes about 10 to 15 years. Most of the trees used in hardwood flooring take at least 10 years to regrow. The growth rate can’t keep up with the cutting rate, which causes more trees to be cut down while the other trees grow.
Bamboo is quite the opposite. The growth rate of bamboo is incredibly fast. Bamboo only takes about three to five years to grow to full maturity. Bamboo shoots will also continue to grow from the roots of an already harvested plant, which allows more bamboo to grow without needing to be removed and then replanted. Since it’s very abundant in many parts of the world and regrows so quickly, it leaves much less of a footprint to cut bamboo instead of other types of traditional wood.
Low Price
Compared to other hardwood flooring materials, bamboo is quite affordable (I don’t want to use the term cheap, because that gives the wrong impression here – see durability below). It’s not uncommon for bamboo flooring to be priced below a dollar per square foot while other flooring materials can cost about $3 to $10 per square foot.
Durability
Bamboo flooring is made to handle high levels of daily abuse, levels that compare well to some of the more durable hardwood flooring options. Certain types of bamboo flooring, such as decarbonized bamboo and woven bamboo, are even more durable than regular bamboo flooring. Weaker flooring made from softer wood tend to get scratched and dinged up very easily. After some years of constant use, the floor will eventually need to be replaced or refinished. This can cost thousands of dollars in materials and labor. Bamboo lasts as well as the best of hardwood.
Maintenance
Bamboo flooring is easier to maintain than traditional hardwood flooring. It typically comes water and stain resistant, which helps prevent it from staining. It also doesn’t have as many slight or deep notches or grooves where dirt and grime may collect. Regular maintenance for bamboo flooring should consist of nothing more than sweeping and mopping.
Style
Bamboo flooring adds an elegant and stylish feeling to a room with its bright and clean color and sparkling sheen. Bamboo flooring comes in a wide range of styles and colors to match anybody’s preferences and home style. In fact, today’s options include bamboo floors that look identical to certain types of wood floors.
Bamboo flooring is only increasing in popularity, and with all of the benefits it offers, it’s not difficult to understand why. If you’re considering installing a new floor in your home, consider the unique style, eco-friendliness and durability of bamboo flooring.
This post was sponsored by Removals House
Tags: bamboo flooring, flooring, hardwood flooring
