by Raymond Alexander Kukkee

Created on: January 30, 2009   Last Updated: April 29, 2011

There are many benefits to installing bamboo flooring as an alternative choice instead of using standard, expensive hardwoods such as maple, oak, birch, elm, or ash.

What is Bamboo?

Most people think of bamboo as wood, but it is a grass. Some varieties grow very quickly and become the size of trees. Bamboo grows world-wide in warmer climates and is used for everything from food to construction scaffolding, paper and cloth. Increasingly, bamboo is becoming more popular as a modern flooring material for a number of reasons.

Bamboo at first appearance is similar to wood, and is no less than amazing, performing as well, or even better than wood. What are the benefits of choosing bamboo flooring?

1. Bamboo is an environmentally sustainable product. A harvested bamboo forest will re-grow to full size and can be harvested again within 5 years, so bamboo flooring may be considered a "green" and earth- friendly product. In direct contrast, hardwood trees take a century or more to grow to full size and maturity.

2. Aesthetically, bamboo is exotic and beautiful, and is now available in many colours. The colour of natural bamboo is determined by the extent of carbonizing in the manufacturing process. The flooring is easily matched and simple to install.

3. Bamboo flooring can be refinished if desired when worn, using standard sanding, staining and sealing techniques.

4. Bamboo floors are very easily cleaned and cared for. Light damp mopping is usually all that is required to keep a bamboo floor clean.

5. Bamboo flooring can be used in any location.

6. Flooring made of bamboo is available in two basic and different constructions. Horizontally laminated' bamboo flooring looks much like any of the laminated multi-ply wood flooring products offered on the market today.

Vertically laminated' , bamboo is cut into thin vertical strips and laminated into a strong dimensioned board which is used to make tongue and grooved flooring. Bamboo tongue and groove flooring looks like, and is installed the same way any standard 3" wide x 3/4" thick flooring hardwood might be installed. Bamboo tongue and groove flooring is similarly fastened down using finishing nails, power nailer or crown stapler.

7. Bamboo is very hard and it's durability is excellent. It has excellent abrasion and dent resistance and is not prone to damage easily. Various finishes are available.

8. A significant benefit, bamboo flooring is warm and comfortable to walk upon. Stepping on to hardwood at normal temperature feels cold because of the heat transfer from the body. Stepping on to a bamboo floor at the same temperature feels warmer, as the cellular structure of the bamboo grass is unique, not transferring heat as quickly as hardwood does.

If you are planning to replace your flooring, do consider choosing bamboo. This superior, natural, and environmentally sensible product is reasonably priced, aesthetically pleasing to the eye, and will last for many years.

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