With an increasing interest in eco-friendly materials, bamboo flooring is having a moment. In this blog, we will explore the eco-friendly benefits of bamboo as a sustainable flooring alternative to wood.
Bamboo Flooring Is Actually Grass
Bamboo is not wood sourced from trees, but instead a species of very tall, sturdy grass. It can grow at tremendous speeds, in some cases reaching 4 feet a day. It can also grow as tall as 100 feet, creating a fast-producing, sustainable material with diverse applications from clothing to furniture and kitchen counters to flooring.
Bamboo Flooring Is Naturally Pest-Resistant
Bamboo farming does not require dangerous pesticides or fertilizer. It is naturally resistant to pests and disease. The strong roots manage water efficiently, ensuring the shoots receive sufficient nutrients without the need for fertilizer.
Herbicides are also unnecessary, as the density of the bamboo canopy and root system acts as a natural weed repellent. As bamboo leaves fall, they create a natural mulch that improves fertility and creates a nutrient-rich soil.
Bamboo Flooring Reduces Water Waste
Bamboo requires 30% less water than other types of crops. The root system is also drought-resistant, prevents soil erosion, and acts as a natural water filter. In fact, bamboo is so efficient at preventing soil erosion that crops can reduce topsoil loss by up to 90%, making it an excellent choice for sloped lands.
Bamboo Flooring Materials Produce Other Sustainable Products
More farms are utilizing the entire bamboo plant to create a range of products, from food for animals and furniture to garden trellises and crafts. It helps sustain communities with multiple agricultural applications, offering a low-cost renewable resource that empowers local artisans to earn a sustainable income.
Bamboo Flooring Is Surprisingly Strong
Although it might seem grass would be quite fragile, the unique composition of bamboo is surprisingly strong. Its fibrous structure consists of high-cellulose materials tightly interwoven to withstand extreme pressure. It also contains “lignin,” which creates rigidity to prevent breakage.
Unlike wood, bamboo is also free of knots, creating equal strength throughout the entire stalk to easily resist stress. As a result, bamboo floors will last for decades without worries of replacement. This decreases costs while also preventing waste.
Bamboo Flooring Reduces Carbon Dioxide
While tree growth is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas reduction, bamboo is also highly efficient in managing air pollution. It outperforms most other crops, with the capability to capture as much as 12 tons per hectare each year.
Quality Bamboo Flooring Does Not Contain Chemicals
Made from eco-friendly materials, bamboo floors tend to be free from harmful chemicals such as formaldehyde. Their natural strength and resistance to common wood flooring issues, such as mould, do not require additional chemical protection.
Instead, the process splits and flattens canes, which are then laminated using safe adhesives and hydraulic pressure to create strong, beautiful floors. Also, sustainable farming practices ensure that bamboo floors do not emit volatile organic chemicals (VOCs).
Bamboo Flooring Is Hypoallergenic
With reduced use of pesticides, herbicides, fertilizer, and chemicals to protect bamboo materials and floors, bamboo flooring is hypoallergenic. If members of your household suffer from allergies or sensitivities to chemicals and VOCs, bamboo flooring is the perfect choice for a happier, healthier home.
Bamboo Flooring Is Fast-Producing
Sustainable flooring must replenish itself quickly. Wood takes decades to grow, while bamboo only takes about five years to reach maturity. Although trees are sustainable when harvesting is followed by replanting, the long process, in hand with the removal of centuries-old hardwood forests, makes new wood floors a less sustainable flooring option.
Bamboo Flooring Is Biodegradable
Eco-friendly materials such as bamboo floors are biodegradable. Despite their strength and beauty, the decision to dispose of bamboo floors during renovation projects does not send waste to landfill sites. Instead, it breaks down, contributing to healthy soil without creating further pollutants.
Bamboo Flooring Is Harder Than Hardwood
High-quality bamboo floors use a proven manufacturing method that produces a sustainable flooring material harder than oak. Specialized compression techniques improve tensile strength, creating a harder flooring material than actual hardwood.
As a result, bamboo floors are more durable, helping prevent dents, scratches, and damage. They are less likely to require sanding and reapplication of varnishes that produce unpleasant and, sometimes, toxic fumes.
Other Benefits of Bamboo Flooring
Aside from its sustainability, bamboo flooring offers many other benefits, including the following:
Versatility
Bamboo’s natural resistance and strength make it a very versatile flooring option. It is suitable for high-traffic areas such as hallways and is a beautiful addition to living rooms, dining rooms, offices, and bedrooms. When properly acclimatized, strand-woven bamboo floors can also be used in kitchens.
Flexibility
Bamboo floors are more giving than hardwood, making them more comfortable for standing and walking. A strand-woven bamboo is perfect for areas such as kitchens, especially if you love to bake or experiment with gourmet meals that take time to prepare.
Stylish
Bamboo floors have a modern appeal that elevates your living space. However, various plank sizes and stains make bamboo flooring highly customizable, allowing it to blend seamlessly with any design scheme. Tailored bamboo floors can even be fashioned to achieve the feel of traditional hardwood.
Affordable
Because of its sustainability, bamboo flooring is a cost-effective flooring option. As a fast-growing flooring material, it is easy to source and can be produced quickly to keep up with demand. Thus, pricing tends to remain far more reasonable compared to harder-to-source hardwoods.
Smart Investment
Not only are bamboo floors more affordable up front, but they also offer a higher return on investment over the time you own your home. Their lasting aesthetic appeal, durability, and low maintenance reduce the need for replacement. Additionally, they tend to cost less to install than other types of flooring.
Easy Care
Bamboo flooring in Canada is low-maintenance, requiring only regular sweeping or vacuuming to remove dust, dirt, crumbs, and other debris. Every few months, you can also clean them with a damp mop to help them maintain their look.
Sustainable flooring has gained popularity with the introduction of beautiful, eco-friendly options. Bamboo is leading the way in innovative designs, affordability, and aesthetic appeal thanks to its many sustainable benefits.
Contact the Professionals at Revival Flooring
At Revival Flooring, our sustainable flooring options offer beauty, durability, and customization to achieve the look you desire. To learn more about our hardwood floors, call us at 705-990-0548 or contact us online with any questions you might have.