The global bamboo flooring market is valued at $1,249 million and is expected to reach $1,549 by the end of 2026. Bamboo flooring is receiving more attention in recent years, particularly among homeowners looking for environmentally friendly and sustainable building materials.
Easy to maintain and install, bamboo offers a modern and natural aesthetic that could boost real estate value to a home, and the cost of bamboo flooring is comparable to other popular floor types. Unlike trees, bamboo stalks can have a five to six harvest cycle, making them significantly more sustainable. As flooring, bamboo shares many of the same pros and cons as hardwood flooring, with a few more advantages to its favor.
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Advantages of Bamboo Flooring
Although bamboo is the most appealing to consumers interested in using natural, renewable building materials, it boasts plenty of benefits that make it an attractive choice to anyone looking at flooring options.
- Environmentally friendly
- Easy maintenance
- Refinishing potential
- Durability
- DIY-Friendly
- Pest resistant
Environmentally Friendly
Traditional hardwood is made from oaks, rock maple and hickory trees, which can take around 20 years to mature before harvesting is possible. On the other hand, bamboo is considered a grass, growing and developing in a five to seven-year cycle and can be harvested without replanting the root system.
Easy Maintenance
Bamboo floors are relatively easy to maintain. Sweeping and vacuuming regularly to remove dust and debris should suffice. An occasional cleanse with a bamboo floor cleaner or a mild soap and water solution can help it look cleaner.
Refinishing Potential
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Over time, bamboo can get scratched and discolored. Fortunately, the surface is easy to refinish by sanding it down and applying a new coating seal. Refinishing the top layer can bring a new, even look to the floor again, protecting it from future damage. Keep in mind that engineered bamboo flooring cannot be refinished.
Durability
Bamboo flooring is beneficial for areas with high traffic like living rooms, kitchens and entryways. It is naturally resistant to abrasion caused by footwork and the impact of fallen objects. Strand woven bamboo flooring weaves the grass fibers together, creating an interlocking pattern that can be three times stronger than other types of bamboo flooring.
DIY-Friendly
DIYers can cut installation costs depending on the type of bamboo flooring they use. Floating bamboo planks use a “click-lock” system that’s easier to install and can be done without professional assistance. This installation method is quick and effortless, and it also allows the floor to expand and contract as humidity levels change in the room.
Pest Resistant
Bamboo naturally has few pests. Even during harvesting, it requires little use of pesticides. Some of the chemicals used to treat bamboo flooring make digestion impossible for termites. Overall, most types of bamboo flooring are pet resistant. In addition, bamboo is inhospitable to dust mites and repels dust and pollen, and it makes an excellent choice for allergy-prone homeowners.
Disadvantages of Flooring
On the downside, bamboo flooring shares many disadvantages with hardwood floors. Both are susceptible to scratches and require special sealants to protect against water. For anyone considering bamboo flooring options, these are some cons to consider.
Scratch Prone
While bamboo is highly durable, its surface can easily scratch, just like most wood floors. Carbonized bamboo flooring, which has a darker tone, is remarkably more susceptible to scratching too. Placing felt pads on furniture and refinishing the bamboo floor from time to time can extend the life of this flooring and reduce the appearance of scratches.
Limited Styles
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Despite bamboo being trendy flooring material, it has many style limitations. Aesthetically, bamboo flooring can adapt to different styles, though it’s best suited to match contemporary and Scandinavian design styles. Most bamboo floorings only have vertical and horizontal grains, in limited finishes and tones that might not suit all interior decor settings.
Moisture Sensitive
Since bamboo is grass, humidity affects it more severely than it does hardwood flooring. If the flooring is used in a very humid climate or rooms with drastic climate changes, the moisture in there is likely to cause the floor planks to swell and buckle.
In dry environments, the planks can shrink significantly, making them more likely to crack under extremely low humidity. For this reason, we don’t recommend bamboo flooring for bathrooms or homes with drastic shifts in humidity. A humidity monitor can help maintain air moisture levels when seasonal temperatures shift.
Potentially Toxic
Low-quality bamboo can contain traces of urea-formaldehyde. Levels of toxins will vary on the resin adhesive used and how the bamboo planks are manufactured. Cheaper products may have higher levels, while more expensive options may use alternative materials for their resins. Still, the amount of formaldehyde found in bamboo flooring is very similar to that found in engineering hardwood flooring and it only tends to be problematic for sensitive individuals.
Unreliable Grading
There isn’t an effective and reliable grading system when it comes to bamboo planks. Retailers usually sort them into grade A and grade B, but this is an arbitrary system that means different things to different retailers. It has little to do with the quality of the bamboo. Consequently, it is important to find a reputable and reliable flooring dealer to ensure you’re getting high-quality materials.
In many ways, bamboo flooring performs the same way as hardwood; some might say it’s superior. For the most part, bamboo is a non-allergenic, pest-resistant and sustainable material that offers many advantages. Working with reliable and reputable flooring dealers can help you find bamboo flooring products that work around the various disadvantages and guarantee top-quality material.
Source: https://gardencourte.com
Categories: Kitchens
