Bamboo Not Just for Pandas
'Going green' at home used to just mean separating the plastic and paper from the rest of the garbage. But in most households today, consumers believe that energy conservation is important and the cost of green improvements is a significant factor in their home buying decisions.
A growing trend among environmentally conscious homeowners and builders is the switch from traditional hardwood floors to bamboo flooring.
What's the big difference?
'Bamboo flooring installs for almost the same price as hardwood flooring and the installation methods are exactly the same,' says Kari McLennan, project manager at Green Maker Supply. 'But bamboo flooring is actually more durable than most hardwood flooring.'
From the environmental side, McLennan says bamboo flooring is made from bamboo which can be harvested in four to six years, making it an extremely renewable resource. By comparison, hardwood floors are made from trees that are hundreds-of-years-old. The increasing demand for wood materials has contributed to massive deforestation around the world. Older trees like the oak can take up to 25 years before it matures and is ready for harvest again.
For a more contemporary look, you can change up the color variation with a darker stain. The darker ambers nicely complement a kitchen with marble counter tops and stainless steel appliances.
Most bamboo on the market today is imported from China. As for the prices, you can find bamboo flooring for as little as $1.78 per square feet. When purchasing bamboo, McLennan advises asking the purveyor when the product was harvest, because bamboo uprooted under fours years can be too soft and easily dent.
In future blogs, we'll look at how homeowners can improve the energy efficiency of their homes through projects such as window replacements, new appliances and insulation.
What do you think? Are you ready to make the change from traditional hardwood to bamboo flooring?
Comments
Bamboo flooring is fantastic--durable, relatively inexpensive (though because many builders don't use it much yet, you still might pay a bit of a premium) and great looking. BTW, you show pics that highlight bamboo in a very contemporary manner but with many stain options, it can be used for a very traditional look also. C'mon everyone--go green, use bamboo!
So great to see a post on green options for the home! While our (wood) floor was already intact before we purchased our rehabbed condo, we are trying to go as green as possible as we make decisions about paint, furniture, decor, etc. Not only am I concerned about the environmental impact of these decisions, but, between VOCs, off-gasing and other chemical boogeymen, I'm concerned about my health! Keep the articles coming!
Go Green! Its good to hear that more consumers are trying to find ways to incorporate more green technology into their homes.
Marmoleum is another excellent "green" flooring option. The color and pattern options provide infinte design possibilities.
I just love my bamboo kitchen floor. I did not know to ask about the 4 year rule and maybe that's why my planks shrunk even though my carpenter followed directions to the letter.
When first installed the planks were soo tight that it looked like one solid floor. After about 6 or 8 months I noticed I bit of shrinkage and seams began to show. My floor had been nailed down. Now, almost 2 years from installation, there are a lot of seams that are from 1/16 to 1/8" apart.
My floor is a horizontal, carbonized bamboo. I still love it and would recommend it but you need to be sure your's doesn't shrink!
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