Benefits of Bamboo Flooring
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Posted On :
Nov-12-2010
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Article Word Count :
728
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Bamboo flooring is a growing and popular trend. As an imported staple from Japan, North American consumers have been opting for bamboo more and more in recent years.
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Bamboo flooring is a growing and popular trend. As an imported staple from Japan, North American consumers have been opting for bamboo more and more in recent years. Bamboo is actually a grass, not a wood, and it’s a popular alternative to hardwood or wood laminate floors. Why choose bamboo, and what are the benefits of bamboo flooring? With bamboo, for the most part, a homeowner can get just as beautiful of a look, plus easier installation, lower cost for materials, and environmentally-friendly benefits.
First, bamboo is known for it’s strength and durability, allowing it to support many times it’s weight. It is stronger than many hardwood floors. It is nearly unbreakable, and buyers are often able to get a 25-year warranty on a bamboo floor. Plus, because it’s a plant, it is resistant to moisture and is less likely to develop water stains from spills. The type of processing can affect the strength, such as strand-woven bamboo, whose processing makes it stronger than traditional bamboo. The finish also makes a difference. Bamboo with a Klumpp-brand finish and bamboo with a semi-gloss finish is stronger than bamboo with an aluminum oxide or satin coat finish.
The beautiful and unique look of bamboo is due to its uniformity of color. Bamboo is available in a huge range of colors, from almost white to very dark, and the finish is available in high-gloss, semi-gloss, and matte.
Bamboo is relatively easy to install; it can be glued, nailed, or left as a so-called “floating floor.” It doesn’t require the same cutting tools as harder woods like oak and mahogany; mostly hand tools. The potential for a homeowner to install it themselves can be a big money saver. Bamboo doesn’t need to be installed over any particular type of sub-floor; an inexpensive plywood is sufficient. Some can even be installed directly onto a concrete sub-floor.
Maintenance and cleaning of a bamboo floor is pretty simple. Particles of dirt and grit can scratch the bamboo finish, so they need to be swept with a soft broom or dust mop. It’s recommended to have a mat inside or outside all entry doors, and have everyone wipe their feet before their shoes touch the floor, to absorb water and catch debris. Despite its overall great strength, on certain floors the load pressure from high-heeled shoes on a small surface area can make dents in the bamboo, so high heels should be avoided. If you use throw rugs, make sure they don’t have a rubber no-slip backing, as the rubber can discolor the floor, and make sure the rug itself is colorfast. Use small pieces of felt or other material under chair and table legs and other furniture legs, and don’t drag furniture across the floor. Spot clean with a damp cloth; you can use a wood floor cleaner if needed. Wipe up spills as soon as possible with a soft cloth.
A great benefit of bamboo flooring is that it can be half the cost of traditional hardwood floors, depending on the grade, finish, and the processing applied.
Another appealing quality is that it is an eco-friendly, renewable resource. Once bamboo is cut, it can be re-grown from the same plant again and again. Unlike trees, bamboo completely re-grows within a few years. Plus, remaining bamboo leaves and bamboo shoots are fed to livestock.
Allergy sufferers appreciate that bamboo doesn’t attract dust or dust mites. There are certain allergen concerns with materials used in some bamboo laminate materials and floor adhesives. Lower-quality bamboo from some manufacturers may have problems with resins and outgassing of chemicals such as formaldehyde. However, if a consumer researches and asks questions, they can find a quality manufacturer to alleviate those concerns.
Bamboo floors have a natural beauty and durability. Unlike laminate, bamboo is a completely natural material. It’s an eco-friendly, sustainable resource. Despite its potential vulnerability to high-heeled shoes, bamboo is still more durable than pine and many vinyl floors. Ask for flooring samples to take home, and subject them to your own tests against scratches and dents. Bamboo flooring is available in a wide variety of finishes and colors, easy to install, and easily cleaned and maintained. It’s advised for the consumer to do their homework and choose their manufacturer carefully, to avoid the allergy and durability concerns with certain manufacturers.
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Article Source :
http://www.articleseen.com/Article_Benefits of Bamboo Flooring_41500.aspx
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Author Resource :
Looking for Bamboo Flooring in Australia? See Bamboozle – specialist suppliers and installers of a wide range of high quality bamboo floor coverings and their unique Bamwood range, both pre finished or sanded and polished on site for home or commercial use.
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Keywords :
Bamboo Flooring in Australia, bamboo, bamboo flooring, bamboo floors, bamboo floor, bamwood, Bamboozle, Perth, Australia,
Category :
Home and Family
:
Interior Design
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