Bamboo

With high sustainability and environmentally sound origins, bamboo floor coverings have become the ideal choice for those looking to adorn their homes or workplaces with the beauty of a hardwood floor or laminate flooring, yet have a concern for environmental issues. Because of this, consumers are increasingly choosing to install bamboo in place of traditional hardwood. In general, bamboo flooring can give you the natural beauty of wood in your home without making a home improvement choice that has a damaging affect on the environment. Bamboo has been used in many useful ways since the beginning of time, but in modern times it has become the material of choice for making both decorative and practical items. Such items are aesthetically pleasing as well as environmentally friendly. Just like some other hardwood floors, bamboo is available in short laminated strips, planks or tiles; therefore installation is conducted in much the same manner as any other similar type of flooring. It should also be noted that bamboo is tough and durable, so it will last many years if both properly installed and cared for.

While the mention of "bamboo floors" may bring to mind strips of uneven cane or round poles, the fact is this relatively new type of flooring is as flat as any other hardwood. With the help of recent technological advances, manufacturers are now turning bamboo stalks into high quality ultra smooth flooring on a grand scale in order to meet the fast growing demand for this exceptionally stylish floor covering. Botanically, bamboo is not a wood at all, but rather a grass. To make bamboo flooring, the hollow round shoots are sliced into strips, which are then boiled to remove the starch. The strips are dried and laminated into solid boards, which are then milled into standard strips. The bamboo is treated with preservative, either before it is laminated, after, or both. Most manufacturers offer a light color flooring and an amber variety. This amber is achieved by pressure steaming the bamboo, which darkens it by way of carbonization.

Floor retailers have been quick to catch on to consumer’s lean towards greener products and many now offer a comprehensive range of quality bamboo floors in various styles and colors. This makes it easy to color coordinate your floor with the color theme in your house or office. Some of the larger suppliers offer the convenience of online ordering, usually with substantial savings over the bricks and mortar stores, which have higher overheads. Buyers are able to check out prices via the internet, order samples and then purchase their floor and arrange delivery without having to leave home to do so.