The Pros and Cons of Bamboo Flooring
Bamboo has recently come on the scene as a outstanding option for lots of home building options, including flooring. For many people looking to "go green" bamboo is a great flooring alternative, but it's not for everyone. Continue reading if you think if this flooring option may be right for you. over here bamboo supplement for hair growth
Bamboo Flooring - The Pros
Bamboo is very renewable. There are a number of varieties that can grow up to a foot a day. At that growth rate, you can understand why bamboo is considered rapidly renewable, especially when compared to typical hardwood trees that can take up to 120 years to attain maturity.
Many people do not realize how strong bamboo really is. It is ordinarily harder than many hardwoods used for flooring purposes. In fact, some species of bamboo have hardness ratings approximately double that of red oak, and bamboo is nearly always rated higher than maple.
It's also significant to note that bamboo is quite resistant to moisture and that is a fantastic feature. Since bamboo thrives more often than not in tropical areas, it is very resistant to spills. Contrary to popular belief, it's in fact a outstanding alternative for kitchens and bathrooms - both places where traditional hardwoods can be a problem.
Once it is installed, bamboo flooring is very simple to care for. To keep your bamboo floors looking like brand new, keep dirt and dust picked up through regular sweeping or vacuuming. Additionally, you ought to damp mop the floors at weekly intervals.
Lastly, you will discover that bamboo is very comfortable under foot. Even though the composition of the bamboo is often stronger than hardwood options, it's easier on your body.
Some of the Dislikes of Bamboo Flooring
There are unfortunately, some negatives connected with the use of bamboo flooring as well. In thinking about bamboo flooring pros and cons, we unfortunately have to discuss some of the negative aspects of the product, so we will discuss these cons below.
Being that most bamboo is grown and harvested in China. This becomes a big obstacle for those of us trying to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle. With usage outside the Asian Continent, this means that the product has to be shipped great distances. There have been more and more crops started in the USA and this may not be a concern for those of us living here in the very near future.
Be sure to select your manufacturer of the bamboo flooring judiciously as some bamboo is manufactured with high levels of VOC's. These volatile organic compounds aren't healthy for the people who work with them, and they certainly aren't good for the people who live in your home. Since VOC's off-gas for several years after the installation, it negatively affects the indoor air quality of the home. VOC's ought to be avoided if possible, as there are many health issues connected with their exposure. Be sure to scrutinize the MSDS sheets from a manufacturer, which will document all of the VOC information.
There is a wide variety of quality levels in bamboo flooring and if you aren't careful, you can purchase flooring that isn't very durable. Try to search for bamboo that has been allowed to fully mature at 5 years of growth. Some bamboo is harvested after only 3 years of growth, and is not nearly as durable. When selecting this as a flooring option, you don't want to buy the cheapest product you can get your hands on - it won't hold up in the long run.
Lastly, it is possible that bamboo flooring may fade. This is a normal problem for all wood floors, and not just specific to bamboo. While there are new UV resistant finishes being applied to all floors, it is most beneficial to minimize exposure of your floor to prolonged direct sunlight.
There are many bamboo flooring pros and cons and this is not the complete list. Even with the list of cons, I believe that the pros far outweigh them, and bamboo flooring is a fantastic way to contribute to your environmentally-friendly lifestyle. More than anything else though, be sure to do your research on each product. What may not work at all for one family, may turn out to the the perfect solution for another family!