Bamboo can be an incredible choice for your homes flooring. What many people don’t realize is that bamboo is a grass, not a tree. This means that its finished appearance is very distinctive. The reason for this distinctive look is the eye-catching pattern of slightly darker bands produced by its nodes, a feature that clearly sets it apart from wood. Bamboo has recently become one of the hottest choices in flooring. There may be many reasons for this popularity but one of the greatest is its environmental benefits.
Bamboo has gained a reputation as an eco friendly, highly renewable resource material. Bamboo can grow up to 47 inches in 24 hours and 78 1/2 feet in 40 to 50 days and it only takes about 3 to 5 years for bamboo to reach full maturity. Traditional hardwoods can take 20 – 120 years to mature. Bamboo can be harvested without the need to replant because the root system is left intact when it is harvested. The root structure has the ability to hold the soil in place preventing erosion. Amazingly bamboo is actually stronger than most hardwoods; some species of bamboo have obtained Janka hardness ratings higher than Maple and nearly double that of Red Oak. Bamboo is also very resilient and can take a greater impact than most hardwoods without denting.
At Unique Wood Floors we import the finest bamboo available. Our bamboo flooring is available in a light natural color, or in darker shades depending on your needs. You have far more choices in bamboo than you may realize. Darker shades can be created by a method called carbonization. Carbonization is a manufacturing process that subjects the bamboo to steam and pressure. This causes the darkening of the sugar content in its fibers resulting in a honey brown color. The shades of this color are dependent upon the length of the process. You can further enhance the finished product by the various planking constructions. You can choose vertical, horizontal, solid engineered and strand woven. Like hardwoods, bamboo floors are cut into planks so you can vary the length and width of the cut to achieve various looks. Create A wide open space with long, wide cuts, or create striking patterns with short, thin cuts.
If you’re worried about the maintenance of a bamboo floor, don’t be. Just like a hardwood floor, bamboo floors have a urethane topcoat to protect their finish. The best way to maintain the finish is with regular sweeping and vacuuming with a soft bristle attachment that will keep the dirt from wearing down the floor surface. We also recommend using a microfiber mop head; this will give you an amazing clean that dries quickly. The most important thing is to avoid leaving streaks or detergent residue buildup on the bamboo floor. This can be avoided by choosing the proper detergent. Don’t hesitate to ask Winston or one of Unique Wood Floors other knowledgeable staff members. We can make sure you have the appropriate cleaner for your new beautiful bamboo floor.
Everybody wants to jump on the conservation bandwagon. In our hearts we all want to do the best thing we can for our planet. That’s why Unique Wood Floors has our go green solutions. It may be one thing to recycle a soda can, make sure were recycling our cardboard, or even driving the newest hybrid automobile. However, we can think of no better way to help our environment than by beautifying our homes with some of the finest flooring material available.