Bamboo Flooring

Bamboo is the ideal floor solution for the ‘go-green’ homeowner or builder. Bamboo is a renewable resource that can be grown and harvested every four to five years without harming the plant (bamboo is technically a grass). Bamboo’s resilience and water resistant qualities make it highly desirable for humid climates as well as dry, and the ability to stain it provides a wide variety of colors to choose from. Bamboo floors are easy to clean, and if properly maintained a bamboo floor can last for decades. Chinese bamboo is preferred for floors due to its strength and resiliency.

Rooms Where Bamboo Flooring is Used

Bamboo ‘wood’ flooring can be installed throughout a home if desired; it is water resistant enough for use in kitchens and bathrooms, attractive enough for dining and living areas, and comfortable enough to walk on to make it an excellent choice for hallways and bedrooms. Bamboo flooring comes in both nail down and glue down applications, and is easy to install over either concrete or wood sub-flooring; an underlayment is recommended for floating floors.

Advantages of Bamboo Flooring

Unlike hardwood flooring, bamboo floors have a higher impact resistance and will not dent as readily. Bamboo has a natural springiness that yields slightly to pressure and then bounces back. This makes it easier on the back, hips, legs and feet than vinyl or tile. Bamboo is a perfect flooring option for homes with underfloor radiant heat systems, and can even be installed below grade level in waterproofed basements. Bamboo wood flooring has a lower expansion/contraction ratio than hardwood.

What to Consider When Purchasing Bamboo Flooring

When deciding whether or not to use bamboo floors in your home, compare the advantages of bamboo to hardwood, tile or carpet. Bamboo is more resistant than hardwood to scratching and denting, but not completely immune, so care should be taken during installation. The experts at Ideal Floor can help you choose the type of bamboo flooring for your situation, and offer insights on how bamboo can enhance your home with an eco-friendly flair!