There are a large number of variables entailed in the decision process, and many kinds of bamboo. The boards can have a horizontal or vertical grain, they can be laminated, they can be engineered or strandwoven, the bamboo can come from, new or old growth, and then there’s the form of carbonizing utilized to create the color of the floor. Therefore, there are many issues to think about.
Which one to select? Bamboo that has horizontal grain and a natural shade is the most solid and longest lasting of these items. After that, vertical grain flooring that has a natural coloring is the next hardest, then horizontal grain floors that have a color that is a caramelized shade, and finally, the vertical grain that has a caramelized shade has the slightest hardness; yet, even it is harder than flooring made of white oak.
Teragren is one of the US (Domestic) name brands of bamboo flooring that have a grading standard of their own to insure quality. In addition, domestic producers have the Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) on hand that list any dangerous and/or toxic matters that could be connected to the finishes and glues used. As for products from overseas, they’ll be a total crap shot.
Hardness and Durability
Bamboo flooring is very hard and, you may find this fascinating, but it’s also stronger than a large number of hardwoods. Some varieties are rated above maple, and close to double the rating of red oak. It is also enormously durable and can hold up under more brutal treatment from heavy objects being dropped on it than a great many of the hardwoods due to the fact that it stands firm against dents.
Another advantage of bamboo flooring is that it resists moisture quite well. Keep in mind, bamboo isn’t a wood, it’s a tropical grass, and it’s subjected to regularly to rain, humidity, and the elements. It wonderful at fending off spills and is an outstanding selection to use in the kitchen and bathrooms. Just think about putting hardwood in either of those rooms! Since bamboo flooring is a laminated item, it’s not as likely as a hardwood warp, cup or gap.
A Darling to the Environment
The world’s valuable natural assets are being depleted daily, so resources that are easier to sustain are becoming more popular. A main advantage to bamboo is that it can reach close to fifty feet at full maturity, be harvested in about five years, and then re-grown through the identical plant, again and again! One hardwood tree requires upwards of thirty years to mature enough for use, and several regions of the Earth are troubled by deforestation. Bamboo is even more eco-friendly that trees grown in plantation forests, which are created specifically to grow wood.
Easy on the Body
If you spend a lot of time in the kitchen cooking, you know that it can be very tiresome on your legs and feet standing on hardwood floors. While bamboo is an extremely hard product, it’s really much gentler on your body.
Easy to Care For
