Bamboo flooring has quickly become a sought after alternative to hardwood flooring in both domestic and commercial properties. Bamboo is a grass, native to China, meaning that it is a highly renewable resource. As it is a natural product it can create both an elegant and modern feel to your property and is available in a range of styles, colours and finishes.
Why choose bamboo flooring?
Here are a few reasons why bamboo flooring is an excellent choice:
• It is an eco-friendly and sustainable flooring material
• Bamboo is still a natural product offering luxury and character
• It is more durable and harder that wooden floors
• Bamboo flooring is an inexpensive alternative to hardwood flooring
• You will find it quick and easy to install
• Bamboo flooring can be used with underfloor heating and loose laid over an underlay
• It is more moisture resistant than hardwood flooring
• Bamboo flooring is quick and easy to look after
Bamboo flooring structures
There are three different ways in which the bamboo flooring planks are constructed: horizontal, vertical and strand woven. Horizontal bamboo flooring is comprised of strips of bamboo being glued together horizontally, giving a wider and more evident grain. Vertical bamboo is made from strips of bamboo glued together vertically to create a thinner and less evident grain. Strand woven bamboo is made from strands of bamboo, woven together and compressed to form a plank of flooring. This creates a random grain with extreme strength and durability. Bamboo flooring can also be found in either a solid format or engineered planks.
Bamboo flooring profile types
There are two main types of profile, or fitting system, for bamboo flooring: tongue and groove and a click fitting system. Bamboo flooring planks with a tongue and groove profile need to be installed in the traditional way, where the tongue fits into the groove tightly so that a minimal gap is left between flooring planks. Alternatively, bamboo flooring with a click fitting system is more straight-forward to install. The planks will easily click and lock together into place.
Bamboo flooring colours and finishes
Bamboo flooring is available in two main colour variations: natural and carbonised. Natural bamboo flooring is as the name suggests – it is the natural colour of bamboo (pale, yellow tones), whereas carbonised bamboo flooring has been smoked to provide light and dark brown tones.
Additional colours and finishes are available as a variety of colour stains can be added to the flooring during the manufacturing process.
The cost of bamboo flooring
Bamboo flooring can be found at a fraction of the price of hardwood flooring because the raw materials are highly renewable, making bamboo far cheaper than wood. The price of bamboo flooring can vary slightly depending upon the construction of the planks, for example, strand woven bamboo flooring is marginally more expensive than natural or horizontal bamboo flooring. Variations in price can also be based on the finish of the flooring; bamboo flooring with a Bona anti-slip lacquer is more costly than a non-branded satin-matt lacquer.
The maintenance of bamboo flooring
Bamboo flooring is very easy to maintain and look after. Follow these simple tips to keep your bamboo floor looking as vibrant as the day it was installed:
• Sweep your bamboo floor on a daily basis using a soft bristle brush
• Clean your bamboo floor on a weekly basis using a PH neutral wood floor cleaner
• Ensure that you wipe up any spills or accidents immediately to prevent water from penetrating your floor
• It is advisable to use doormats at all entrance doors to stop dirt from outside reaching your bamboo floor
• Do not walk on your bamboo floor with outdoor footwear
• Protect your floor from scratches by adding felt protector pads to the bottom of furniture
•Do not use any acidic or abrasive products to clean your bamboo floor as they can cause damage