If you are thinking of flooring options for your kitchen that are not only elegant but also environmentally friendly, then bamboo flooring should appear at the top of your list. This land which is mostly made in Asia is catching the fancy of the Western world slowly; it will still take some time for bamboo to establish itself as a formidable flooring choice. The elaborate process – steaming the pieces, flattening and gluing them together, and then finally finishing the product – involved in making bamboo flooring gives it strength and durability.
Even though it is not waterproof, the fact that it is waterproof makes it a a great choice for kitchen flooring. You don’t have to worry about moving around items or too many people walking too often in your cooking area; bamboo floor can withstand heavy traffic. It is just as comfortable as the other hardwood flooring options. You don’t have to worry about having to replace the bamboo floor due to denting, termite attack, or damage to its surface; such complaints are rare.
The subtle color difference makes bamboo flooring a very interesting choice. It is usually available in “honey” and dark brown shade. But they are changed to other colors during the staining process. You can either get the horizontal or vertical grain arrangement with the former adding a very warm and natural feel to the floor.
That bamboo grows faster than the other trees used for wooden flooring makes it a a fabulous alternative to hardwood flooring. Bamboo is also renewable. So, with a bamboo floor, you are not only getting value for money but also a very functional and yet exotic kitchen floor.
How much does bamboo flooring cost you?
Excluding installation costs, bamboo flooring can be anything between $1.50 and $8.00 per square foot, depending on the manufacturer, model, finish and quality. Although not very expensive, it saves you more money than other hardwood flooring options.
What should you look out for when you decide to buy bamboo flooring?
1. Look for established brands as this ensures that the bamboo flooring is genuine, meets the quality standards, and follows the specified environmental guidelines. Even if you are paying a few extra bucks, you don’t have to worry about the quality of the product since most bamboo floors are produced in countries that probably don’t have many regulations in place. Contractions, expansions, and visual imperfections are some of the issues you will have to face, if you buy low standard bamboo flooring.
Some of the well-known brands are Ecotimber, Yanchi, Stepco, Teragren, and Morning Star.
2. In the bamboo floors of the highest quality, you will find the technology woven with ropes that makes the bamboo floor what it is – very hard, durable and water resistant. The aluminum oxide coating makes the floor perform better against high traffic, moisture and also stains, nicks, and abrasive scratches. Its ability to keep out moisture can be improved by applying another finishing coat on the underside.
Installation of bamboo flooring
The surface below must be prepared and must be made level and dry. Or the bamboo may not stick to the subfloor or it may creak or it may even rot if there is any moisture. After the subfloor is adequately prepared, you will have to glue or float or glue the bamboo floor. In the floating method, the bamboo are just snapped in place without even using glue. Finally, you may need to seal the floor, to ensure that water does not enter the floor and the boards remain dry. Check with your manufacturer’s instructions before proceeding.
Look at the ‘How to install’ advice provided by the manufacturer. Although there are some basic techniques involved in fixing the floor, the exact procedure can vary depending on the brand and style of the bamboo floor. Only if you are absolutely sure of how to go about laying the ground, you should do it. You can always seek professional assistance; you don’t want your lack of woodworking skills to be lowering the standard of the floor.
Maintenance of bamboo flooring
Do not violate the instructions in the manufacturer’s manual; not only will you end up having to replace the floor repeatedly but you will also lose the warranty secured on the floor.
In order to clean your bamboo floor, vacuuming and damp mopping is all that is often required. When you notice a spill, you must get rid of it immediately. Simple measures like these ensure that the floor lasts longer and also maintains its beauty.
Placing a doormat at the entrance makes cleaning the bamboo floor less of a hassle; it is preventing dust and dirt from entering the kitchen and settling on the floor. Of course, you will have to clean the doormat regularly.
A few years after getting the bamboo floor, refinishing can restore the floor to its former beauty and also improve its ability to resist water. This makes the floor look attractive again and such periodic cleaning ensures that the floor is not dirty.
How to get the best price on bamboo flooring
BuildDirect seems to be one of the best places to buy bamboo flooring from. Besides the best prices, their customer-friendly policies make shopping from them a pleasure.
