A bamboo floor is flooring made from the bamboo plant. It originates from Moso bamboo which is typically the species of bamboo used for flooring. Most of this type of flooring is produced in China, as well as in other Asian locations. The cost to buy bamboo flooring for a home will usually run about the same as hardwood, between $2.00 and $8.00 a square foot. It is non-toxic flooring, long lasting and safe, as well as eco-friendly.
There are different types of bamboo flooring to choose from, according to the customer’s preference. One particular type that is popular is solid strand bamboo flooring. Rather than being constructed of bamboo strips, this type of floor is made of bamboo fiber. The fibers are softened and then separated. Once separated, the fibers are reconstructed in the form of planks, then sanded and covered with a coating of aluminum oxide to conserve its resilience. As with all types of bamboo floor, strand bamboo flooring is completely eco-friendly.
Strand bamboo flooring is created by stripping the stalks of the Moso plant and using every bit of it in the construction of the bamboo floor. The use of 100% of the stalk, with no waste left over, is what contributes to its eco-friendly characteristics.
Interestingly, a bamboo floor is less expensive than many types of wood flooring on the market. Bamboo is known to be much more dense than oak, which makes for a stronger floor. In addition, it does not warp as much as wood flooring can. The hardness of wood is measured on a Janka scale. This scale is usually used to determine whether or not a particular wood meets the hardness criteria needed to be constructed into durable flooring. Most hardwoods measure about 1450 on the Janka scale. Tropical hardwoods, in some cases, rate up to 2800; however, some strand bamboo measures up to 3500 on the Janka scale. The harder the material, the less chance there is of warping or denting during use.
For the most part, bamboo floors are a little bit more resistant to water than hardwood floors are. However, bamboo is an organic material in its natural form; therefore, it is entirely susceptible to discoloration as a result of water, as well as warping and even possible mold growth.
These facts, along with lower prices, contribute to making natural bamboo flooring a wise choice for many homeowners these days. Whereas wood flooring such as pine or walnut can cost up to $10.00 per square foot, bamboo typically costs between $5.00 and $7.00 per square foot.
Customers will ask what the difference is between hardwood and bamboo. The fact is, when constructed as flooring, they can look and feel almost the same. At a glance, most people are not able to tell the difference between the two. However, a difference does exist. Bamboo flooring is created from a type of grass; whereas, hardwood is created out of trees and lumber.
After some time, and some wear and tear, bamboo floors, just like any hardwood floors, can begin to look dull. And, just like hardwood, bamboo flooring can be refinished and sealed to bring its look back to life. However, because the strands of bamboo flooring are glued together, this floor cannot be sanded as hardwood can. For regular cleaning, daily sweeping or vacuuming are recommended, and mopping can be done with any good cleaner suggested for wood flooring. Another recommendation is to wipe up any spills immediately with either a dry towel or a dry mop.
Owners of bamboo floors are discouraged against using any steam cleaning apparatus on their bamboo floors. Because of the hot steam, bamboo floors could be damaged beyond repair. It is emphasized that bamboo floors be cleaned only with cleaners specific to either bamboo or wood floors.
Bamboo flooring has been around for quite a while; however, only recently has it begun to grow in popularity. This is largely because of the more recent awakening to using strand woven bamboo in the creation of boards that are said to be stronger than red oak. This type of flooring is designed to look like hardwood, and can be bought in different colors and even different styles.