While hardwood flooring has been a common interior flooring for hundreds of years, the popularity of bamboo flooring products have truly just taken off recently, starting in the 1990s. In some stores and studios it is seen as a version of hardwood flooring; however, it is not in fact a wood product. Bamboo is a type of woody grass found in wet, tropical regions. It is sturdy and attractive, so it performs well as a flooring material. It has a sleek, contemporary appearance that can enhance a home or workspace.

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Renewable Bamboo Flooring

One of features that draw some flooring shoppers to bamboo is its fast-growing nature, making it known as an eco-friendly renewable resource. Hardwood flooring uses trees that take many years to grow, whereas bamboo stalks grow speedily and are replaced with new growth almost immediately after they’re cut down.

With further research, it must be acknowledged that although this element of environmental help is encouraging, the process that creates bamboo flooring is not as eco-conscious as users may hope. The intense manufacturing process takes a lot of energy and resources, as it often slices and shreds the stalks then uses strong heat and chemical resins to pressurize and finish the planks. Gases are formed and a substantial amount of fuel is needed throughout the process. Some bamboo products contain formaldehyde, while others make certain to avoid this ingredient. Check the labels when you want to ensure your bamboo choices are formaldehyde-free.

Similar to wood floors, wear-and-tear on bamboo floors may include slight scratches, discolorations, and nicks. Unless it is the engineered variety, usually the planks can be refinished on occasion. Use standard sanding techniques, then seal it with a reliable finishing top coat. It’s not advised to use bamboo flooring in rooms with high-moisture exposure, as puddles and humid air can damage it beyond repair. Planks may swell and even buckle, crack, or bow.

Bamboo Flooring Types

Engineered

Bamboo flooring planks are crafted by bonding a top layer of bamboo on top of plywood or MDF core, making it somewhat similar to engineered hardwood flooring. It is either glued down or uses click-lock edges to float over the subfloor. Because it has this very slim top layer, it cannot be sanded and refinished.

Stranded

Bamboo is a composite of resin and small particles or shreds of bamboo stalks. The materials are heated and compressed into sleek, even planks. It is sturdy and resistant to expansion and contraction, making it a good choice for most areas and climates. It is usually found in board styles that float or can be adhered using tongue-and-groove locking edges.

Horizontal

Bamboo crafts planks by using cut strands bonded together, compressed and polished to give an elegant appearance. The end result shows a lovely grain because the long stalk fibers are on display in a bold pattern. Many designers prefer this horizontal variety because of its stunning appearance, although the boards are not as durable as other options. It can be installed by gluing, nailing, or using a floating method.

Bamboo flooring can use stain to add depth to its color, or it can be finished with its natural, light hue intact. This is usually a natural shade that is somewhere between cream and amber. Along with staining choices, bamboo can also be darkened through a carbonizing procedure, where the planks get exposed to a very high temperature and organically darken. It’s important to keep in mind that the carbonization process will also weaken the durability of the product, so flooring of this type should be installed in lower-traffic spots with less susceptibility to harsh scratches or rough treatment.

Cleaning & Maintaining Bamboo Floors

Have a few cleaning tools and products on hand if you have installed a bamboo floor in your home or office. These should include a gentle broom, dustpan, soft-cloth mop, bucket, mild surface cleaner, and cotton rags.

Like other hard flooring surfaces, it’s a good idea to plan on daily sweeping of a bamboo floor that is in a busy location. Less-often used spaces may need sweeping less frequently, perhaps once a week. Make sure the broom has small fibers or soft bristles, and you take time to get up any gritty dirt that’s accumulated so it does not damage the top wear layer.

Mopping should take place when needed, and that too depends on how often the room is used and how it is used. In a medium- to high-traffic space, plan on using the soft, damp mop weekly. Here are the steps:

  1. Fill your bucket with 4 cups of warm water and ¼-cup of gentle cleaner safe for wood and bamboo floors. Make certain the cleanser does not include ammonia, vinegar, citric juice, and other acid-based formulas. These can harm the finish and discolor the planks.
  2. While wiping the mop across the bamboo floor, be sure it is not leaving puddles behind. The mop surface should only be damp and not soaking. Water damage is a big concern with bamboo materials, and this is not easily repairable. There should be no pooling or leftover moisture to fall between cracks or sit for long periods. Cupping and buckling may result.
  3. If you spot scuffs and marks along the way, use a soft cotton rag dipped into a small cup of solution made with half-water, half cleaning solution. Rub firmly on the scuff or mark until it disappears, then dry with another cloth.
  4. Let the fully mopped floor dry for at least an hour, or help the surface dry with fresh air or an aimed fan. Do not apply furniture spray, waxes, or polishes to bamboo flooring unless something specific is directly recommended by the manufacturer.

When accidents happen on your bamboo flooring—because in any home or office environment we simply have to plan on them during daily living—act quickly to wipe up any liquids. If it is a dark beverage prone to stain, like red wine or coffee, sop it up with cotton towels and then use a fresh cotton rag lightly dampened with water and a cleaning solution to scrub up any remaining stain until it is gone. Dry the area with another cotton rag.

If bamboo flooring is installed in a moisture-prone room against recommendations, be sure to protect the spaces near sinks, counters, showers, tubs, and other splash-heavy spots with throw rugs. Do not use rugs with latex or rubber backings because this material can damage and discolor bamboo flooring.

Other Tips for Bamboo Floors

Use common sense measure to keep your bamboo floor free from scratches, stains, and other damage. Remove shoes whenever possible to avoid scuffs and scratches from trapped sole debris, and simple to keep floors as clean as possible regardless of the material.

If you have pets with claws like cats and dogs, keep their nails trimmed so they don’t mark the surface. For heavy, hard furniture legs, you may want to attach soft pads or felt circles underneath to avoid dents and scratches.

Keep in mind that carbonized bamboo, with its softened cellular structure, will need extra attention to these precautions because it is definitely more susceptible to damage.

Keep the climate of your home or office temperate—not too humid and not too dry—to prevent swelling, cupping, or cracking. Do not ever use steam cleaning machines on bamboo flooring.

Pros & Cons Review

With any major interior design consideration that will be there for years to come, do your research and make a list of pros and cons before making a final decision. Those who have used or installed bamboo can be a good source of information and likely answer your questions. Here are some pros and cons to evaluate with bamboo flooring:

Pros

  • It looks modern, elegant, contemporary, and adaptable to various decor.
  • A renewable resource, bamboo stalks grow quickly, cheaply, and efficiently.
  • Fairly easy to maintain and keep clean.
  • Some varieties can be refinished if light scratches and stains appear over the years.
  • More affordable than hardwood flooring.
  • Bamboo does well with radiant heating elements.
  • It is a termite resistant product.
  • The overall effect is something unique, even compared to similar wood products.

Cons

  • May be sensitive to dents, scratches, and other damage, especially soft carbonized bamboo.
  • Cannot handle a high-moisture environment, either through spills or humidity, as damage can easily result from absorption and deformed swelling.
  • Fewer options available in terms of grain styles and color choices.
  • Engineered varieties cannot be sanded and refinished due to its thin top layer.
  • May look too modern or bold for some types of home design preferences.
  • Resins and certain toxins may be a part of the heating-and-compression process.

If you decide to install attractive bamboo flooring, confirm that the product you select is fully pre-finished and ready for foot traffic. Some bamboo products are not yet sealed with urethane so this step can be done after it is put into place. It is necessary before using the new floor. Raw bamboo is available, as well, so this product may need both a stain treatment and a urethane seal coating.

Enjoy that striking, unique bamboo floor.

Buying

When browsing vinyl floor materials, you’ll notice the various forms include vinyl sheet, composition tile, luxury vinyl tile, and luxury vinyl plank. All are excellent options for a number of settings, with some fitting in more keenly in certain rooms than others. Consider and research the benefits of each to determine which material suits your environment best, then move on to the fun part of selecting a design.

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