How Does Bamboo Wood Flooring Compare To Traditional Wood Floors?

Bamboo wood flooring is derived from the centuries old floor that was made from bamboo. These were made by splitting the stalks and binding them side by side. This produced a somewhat bumpy floor with gaps between each piece. Modern bamboo-flooring uses the same material, but has come a long way.

While it has a woody consistency, bamboo cane is actually a grass. With its astounding growth rate of as much as 12 inches a day it is a very eco-friendly alternative to standard oak flooring. When comparing bamboo flooring to different woods, many people assume that traditional wood is more durable which is not the case. Today bamboo flooring is made with a laminating process that gives it comparable strength and durability.

The modern day manufacturing process is more complicated than just splitting stalks of bamboo. Instead, bamboo wood flooring today is harvested, split, flattened, dried, layered, laminated, and glued before being finished. Despite how complicated this sounds the end result is perfectly flat flooring that rivals any modern product.

How Easy Is Bamboo Wood Flooring To Install?

The modern-day manufacturing process of bamboo wood flooring includes the addition of joints or grooves to each strip of flooring. All you do is simply snap each piece together like a puzzle therefore making it easy to install. This is sometimes known as a floating floor, because it isn't glued or nailed to the sub-floor. Even those who are not avid do-it-yourselfers can install such flooring. Ask someone at your local flooring wholesale center for advice to learn how easy it is.

For those not interested in a floating floor, bamboo wood flooring can be glued and nailed to the sub-floor. While the older unprocessed bamboo would version would split, modern manufacturing methods have eliminate this problem. The end result is a bamboo wood flooring alternative to traditional wood floors that compares in ease of installation, and durability.

A Beautiful & Versatile Flooring Alternative

Bamboo has a natural beauty that you can bring into your home. You can get either horizontal or vertical grain. Vertical grain bamboo flooring will look more like traditional hardwood floors. On the other hand, horizontal grain bamboo flooring will have more of a bamboo look to it. You will be able to see the visible nodes from the bamboo. As a final alternative, there also exists a hand-scraped version of bamboo flooring that provides a rougher, worn texture to the flooring. Regardless of what you choose, all varieties of bamboo flooring are just as durable. The variety of its appearance adds to its versatility enabling you to pick the variety of bamboo wood flooring that best suites your own taste.

Some Final Facts To Consider About Bamboo Wood Flooring

When it comes to caring for your bamboo floor, a non-abrasive cleaner is best. While bamboo is delicate, it sometimes scratches easily. Also, place pads under any heavy furniture to further prolong the life of your flooring.

Bamboo has a lot of good things going for it. Its rate of growth eases the mind of those concerned about the environment. However, harvesting practices vary, so you still need to be sure the supplier you choose fits in line with your concerns.