5 Facts about Bamboo Flooring
Introduced in the mid-1990s, bamboo flooring has become popular due to its environmental stability and its visual similarity to natural hardwoods. It was originally thought to be too soft a material to hold up over years of wear and tear, but new methods of manufacturing have given it more durability. The lower price is also a great draw for property owners. Let’s take a look at a few facts about bamboo to help you when deciding what to purchase.
- Strand-Woven Bamboo—The newest version of bamboo flooring is strand woven, which increases its Janka Hardness rating of around 3000 (similar to Brazilian cherry at 2350.) The Janka Hardness test measures the wood’s resistance to having a steel ball embedded in it. The harder the ball is to imbed, the higher the rating.
- Shrinking and Expanding—Bamboo, like hardwoods, will shrink and expand in different climates. If you live in a dry or humid climate, the installer should acclimate the flooring up to 5 days in order to reduce shrinking or expanding.
- Environmentally Friendly—Bamboo is one of the greenest products to work with as a single pole can regenerate itself fully within six months. One species of bamboo was even noted to grow four feet in 24 hours. The plants actually fare better when they are continuously harvested every 3-7 years and the roots left during the harvest to prevent erosion.
- Grass or Tree—Bamboo is actually a grass, which reduces the need for pesticides and fertilizers. You can check with the manufacturer to see whether they have chemically treated their products. Pesticides and fertilizers are problematic and, when filtered into groundwater, they can affect the health of the local population.
- Where to Install—Bamboo is installed in almost any part of the home, apart from bathrooms, saunas, or enclosed porches. This is because the prolonged exposure to moisture can cause the bamboo to warp or expand, which is common among all hardwood floors.
Bamboo is a great alternative to hardwood floors. It has the look and feel of hardwood floors at a lower cost, plus it’s kinder to the environment. When choosing a bamboo floor, ask for information regarding its harvest and its manufacture.
Have questions about bamboo flooring? Call us at 1-800-526-7847 or schedule your FREE estimate at www.smartcarpet.com