Bamboo
Bamboo flooring has become more popular in recent years because of its natural, elegant look. Bamboo acts and wears like a hardwood floor, and even comes in a variety of colors and styles, but it's actually a grass. Bamboo is a great sustainable resource because it can be harvested every 5 to 6 years - an ideal choice for a "green" building material.
But be careful - not all bamboo is the same. Some bamboo is harvested prematurely using non-sustainable methods and few if any quality controls to keep cost down. Unfortunately, this produces a softer, more easily damaged floor that won't hold up as well as products made from mature bamboo. With bamboo you truly get what you pay for.
But be careful - not all bamboo is the same. Some bamboo is harvested prematurely using non-sustainable methods and few if any quality controls to keep cost down. Unfortunately, this produces a softer, more easily damaged floor that won't hold up as well as products made from mature bamboo. With bamboo you truly get what you pay for.
Here are some things to keep in mind:
- Select flooring that comes in multiple length planks to give a more natural appearance to the floor.
- Look for water-based solvent-free finishes. The manufacturer should be a member of the U.S. Green Building Council.
- Buy only plantation grown bamboo to assure proper maturity and species. Moso (Phyllostachys pubescens) is a good choice and is NOT a food source for pandas.
- Coordinating finish accessories should include, floor vents, stair risers, treads and nosings, as well as moldings, reducers and thresholds so that your new floor will have a beautiful finished look.
