ALL ABOUT BAMBOO FLOORING
Bamboo Flooring Options, Benefits, Care, and More
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All the information you need to know to make an informed choice is presented in the following sections.
Benefits and Options of Bamboo Flooring
No forests are harmed in the making of bamboo flooring, since it is really a grass. Bamboo flooring is as durable, if not moreso, than hardwood flooring. Most wood products are compared to oak and maple for stability and durability. Bamboo flooring is about 50% more comparable to these two woods in these areas. The cost is about the same as hardwood flooring, but factoring in the durability and quality, you may find that you get more for your money for this flooring. And bamboo flooring is as actractive as hardwood flooring. Bamboo flooring comes in two shades, natural and amber. The amber hue is acquired by a steaming and carbonizing process during drying, and is not a stain.Installation and Care of Hardwood Flooring
Installing bamboo flooring is similar to installing hardwood floors. Both use a tongue and groove system and can be nailed, stapled, or glued down. Bamboo can be installed over a sub-floor of wood, plywood, vinyl tiles, oriented strand board, and even cement or concrete. Follow manufacturer's instructions when installing for other variances, such as making sure there is a proper moisture balance. Before installing, bamboo flooring should be acclimatized to the room it will be installed in. Leaving it outside the carton in the room it will be installed in for several days should achieve this. You can get a commercial moisture reader, or just leave it for a minimum of seven days.
Caring for your bamboo flooring is not much different than for other types of hardwood floors. Use a broom, dry mop, or soft brush attachment of your vacuum cleaner to keep the floors free from dust and dirt. Avoid excessive water when cleaning your bamboo flooring. Use a slightly dampened mop, and never use abrasive cleaners or scouring pads on your floor. You can use non-abrasive hardwood cleaners on your bamboo flooring, just as you would on any other hardwood floors.
Pricing and Where to Buy
Full prices seem to be around $4.00 to $7.00 a square foot and up, depending on quality, but if you watch carefully, you can find often find great sales, which take it down to as low as $1.78 a square foot. SimpleFloors.com had prices as low as $1.78 on up to about $3.50 per square foot at their winter sale, but it was only good for a few more days at the time this article was written. Check at other times for other sale prices.
iFloor.com advertises prices starting at $2.49 a square foot, during a winter clearance sale, including free shipping. Check their web site for other sales throughout the year.
At BuildDirect.com prices ranged from $1.59 for their economy line, on up to about $3.10 per square foot for the higher-quality flooring. Their lower priced flooring only comes with a 10 year Warranty, while the others offer a 25 year warranty.
Consider this information while making your decision about which dealer to purchase from. Most online dealers will provide free samples, although shipping costs are up to you. You'll be able to see what you're getting before purchasing, if you don't already have a local dealer in bamboo flooring near you.
In Conclusion
Bamboo flooring is a great alternative to hardwood flooring. If you're concerned about the environment, looking for a high-quality hardwood-type floor, and don't mind that it won't come in a variety of shades, consider bamboo flooring for your home.