Hardwood flooring is a classic and beautiful choice for any home. Yet, what if you want something that’s more eco-friendly? This is where bamboo flooring comes in! We will cover in this post the benefits of buying bamboo flooring, as well as how it’s made, where it’s made, whether it is pet and kid-friendly, and some other factors to consider when making your decision.

What is bamboo

Bamboo is a type of grass that grows usually in clusters. In terms of flooring, it behaves much the same as wood with the difference that is highly resistant to moisture. Where does bamboo actually come from? There is something called “bamboo forests,” which are tropical and subtropical areas that have been used by people since the year 1297. Bamboo is a fast-growing plant that can grow up to a foot in one day and is even more quickly harvested. In addition to bamboo flooring being full of natural beauty, it is also environmentally friendly because it’s made from a type of grass that can be quickly regrown. One stalk of bamboo has been known to grow over 30 inches in a day! For example, an oak tree takes one hundred years to grow, while bamboo may take as little as three years from the time it was planted to be harvested, which means the world will never run out of bamboo.

Where does bamboo come from?

Bamboo is most commonly grown in India, China and Indonesia where it thrives best in natural sunlight. It grows in regions that don’t require heavy pesticides and fertilizers helping it to be more eco-friendly. You will still want to look for responsibly-sourced bamboo flooring. One of the ways of knowing would be if the company selling the flooring has a Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certificate. The FSC is an independent, non-profit organization that promotes the responsible management of the world’s forests. They were established in 1994 and aim to address the exploitation and mismanagement of forests, while promoting the social biodiversity and ecological value of them through long term forestry management plans.

How bamboo flooring is made

There are many different ways bamboo flooring is made, but the most common is using a process called “compression molding.” This process is something similar to an oven, which will cause them to undergo extreme heat and then quickly cool off. Strand bamboo flooring is made of strands glued together with epoxy, a heat-resistant substance, and then cut to size.

Bamboo benefits

Quick growth

There is nothing more eco-friendly than Bamboo. Bamboo grows even in poor soil conditions and without the help of any chemicals. It also endures the most extreme weather situations and regenerate in a period of 5 years.

Bamboo is the fastest growing plant on our earth and one of the most sustainable resources the planet knows of today.

Durability

Durability is often an overlooked factor of sustainability. The longer a floor lasts then the lower the environmental impact in terms of replacement. All types of bamboo flooring offer excellent hardness which can provide a sturdy floor for more than a lifetime. In fact, the plant has an intrinsically strong molecular structure with a tensile strength that’s actually stronger than steel!

Easy to Clean

While the finish of bamboo flooring adds protection and durability, it also provides a surface that’s easy to maintain. The flooring can be cleaned just like a hardwood with regular sweeping or vacuuming and the occasional damp mop using a suitable cleaning solution.

Healthy

Bamboo also has natural antimicrobial properties that will help to reduce household allergens like dust mites and mold spores- making it even more of a desirable option for those with allergies or asthma.

natural insulator

It is also an environmentally friendly flooring option because of its ability to act as a natural insulator, keeping your home warmer in the winter, and cooler in the summer without putting any extra strain on your HVAC system.

Not only does it have a low impact on the environment, bamboo flooring is great for commercial spaces, it also has properties that make it good for preventing odor buildup. A recent study found bamboo flooring was best suited for commercial use like gyms because of its high polishability and hardness. Also, due to its natural vibration absorbing properties it is great for yoga studios. At Woodpecker, we have added a new dimension to our Oxwich collection with two new bamboo flooring options in Herringbone. Sustainable and kid-friendly, bamboo will add a spacious feel to your space. It’s also very durable- with strand woven bamboo being one of the strongest floorings on Earth, they’re able to withstand high traffic in commercial or residential settings.