Bamboo can be seen as a great flooring option. It is elegant, decently durable, can last long, and is considered green. But there are some drawbacks to it that should also be known before you choose this versatile flooring option. It is recommended to choose bamboo flooring that is free from chemicals and meets the safety standards. You will be better positioned to have bamboo floors in your home if you know the benefits and drawbacks of the material.
First, you should check the benefits of having bamboo floors.
Bamboo is Classy
Bamboo floors are elegant, appealing and warm. You can install them to in any room to add a touch of class. The unique thing about them is that they are timeless. When you install them in your home today, you can remain assured that they will be in trend even after decades. There is something special to bamboo that makes it eternal – probably a natural appeal.
Highly Versatile
Bamboo flooring is available in a variety of designs, colors and grains. You can always find a color that ideally matches your existing interior décor. Because of this variety, it can be installed in different rooms and yet you will not feel boring.
Durability
Bamboo may not be as durable as hardwood, it is still quite sturdy. You will not have to worry about foot traffic when installing the floor in different rooms. Typical bamboo flooring is so durable and long-lasting that it comes with a minimum guarantee of 25 years.
Affordable
In terms of price, bamboo comes between carpet and hardwood Floors . On an average, carpets cost less than bamboo flooring and hardwoods are costlier. You can however come across premium quality bamboo that can be extremely costly.
Ease of Installation
Bamboo flooring is not only relatively cheaper, it is also easier to install. The installation process is straightforward. If you consider the cost of installation on a per hour basis, you will find that the ease of installing bamboo makes it cheaper to install. In fact, your new floor will be ready within a few hours.
Bamboo is Green
This may seem like contradictory to the general concept. When you install bamboo flooring in your home, it doesn’t ideally mean that you are depleting a natural resource. Bamboo plants grow at a very fast rate and reach maturity in around 3 years. This is a much faster rate than for hardwood timber. So when you install this flooring, bamboo plants around the world are growing fast to make up for the loss.
Besides, having a natural flooring in your home is also considered green. It will help save more energy because it doesn’t transfer energy.
As already mentioned, bamboo flooring also has some drawbacks. The most notable ones are as following:
Water Damage
Bamboo flooring is considered to be better than hardwood flooring against water damage. However, it can still get damaged by moisture. Because it is a natural material, moisture can cause warping and development of fungus and mold.
It is recommended not to install bamboo in areas with high humidity. For example, you don't want them in your kitchen or bathroom. At the same time, they are not suitable for installation in extremely dry areas. It can start cracking whether it’s too humid or too dry.
Lack of General Hardness
There’s no denying that bamboo is hard. But it may not be as durable as hardwood, stone, tile or marble. In its natural and un-carbonized form it is quite strong. But the darker strands are softer. Any carbonization methods used by manufacturers results in bamboo losing its structure and strength. So processed bamboo is not as durable as in its raw form.
So keep these benefits and drawbacks in mind before you choose bamboo flooring for your home.
0 Comments