Bamboo has been in use for over thousands of years in China and other Asian countries to make houses, scaffolding, musical instruments and even weapons. However, over the past decade bamboo has become quite popular in the Western world too. Conscious home-owners are looking for environmental friendly products for their homes while architects are looking to bamboo for its many advantages.

Now, bamboo is not a hardwood, it is actually a very tall grass which has a general hardness almost equal to oak or cherry. Engineered bamboo is even stronger than most oaks, maple, teak and mahogany. They are sturdy and long lasting which are necessary qualities for any floor but most importantly they are a great alternative to hardwood. Here are 6 reasons, why.

Bamboo is tougher than you think

Don’t let this simple grass fool you. It can withstand more pressure than you may think. Engineered bamboo has been proven to be stronger than most hardwood available on the market. On the other hand strand woven bamboo have a hardness of over 3000lbf on the Janka hardness scale (a scale used to measure hardness of hardwood), which makes it tougher than any oak, teak, maple or most Brazilian hardwood. Bamboo is first boiled in boric acid to remove any sugar or insects before being turned into planks. This process also makes sure that the bamboo resists any insects and bugs during its lifetime. Bamboo also resists dents and scratching.

Bamboo flooring typically will cost you much less than hardwood floors. Even if you are buying a good brand or top quality bamboo it will not set you back as much as a hardwood might. Moreover it is also very easy to install bamboo flooring. The perfect fit of the bamboo ensures that there is no wastage of extra bamboo and with low installation charges it will be worth your money.

Aesthetic appeal

When it comes to aesthetics, bamboo wins hands down. The natural grains and lines of the bamboo lend your floor a natural yet smart look. When set on your floor it will lend your room a distinctive look and feel of nature. With its natural light yellow color it looks and feels warm. Carbonized bamboo has a darker rich caramel tone which makes your floor look simply elegant. Stained bamboo flooring offers you a vast choice of colors so that you can match the rest of your décor with your flooring.

Easy to maintain

Stained bamboo flooring is very easy to clean and maintain. Like most hardwood floor they are resistant not only to moisture but also to moulds and germs. It also repels dust so all you need is a clean wet mop to clean your floor. You can vacuum it once every two months to keep it dust free. Bamboo has a very high density which keeps away any dents and scratches unlike other hardwood floors which are prone to dents. Even if there is sometime a dent or scratch, don’t worry because only the top layer is damaged. The bamboo beneath is very strong and take quiet a beating. You can refinish your bamboo floor by sanding off the top layer and then sealing and staining it to protect it from dust and sunlight. Refinishing can make your floor look as good as new.

Very flexible

In the last decade or increasing knowledge of bamboo has led to an emergence of new industries and products. Such is the versatility of bamboo that it now finds application in lumber, veneer, plywood and other laminates and the construction industry. Architects are now turning to bamboo because of its sustainability and versatility. Bamboo can be used to not only make daily household items but also furniture, flooring, houses and buildings. You can lay your own bamboo kitchen top or make your own cabinets out of bamboo. They not only look as good as hardwood but actually are stronger than hardwood.
Bamboo also absorbs more carbon dioxide than hardwood and good quality bamboo also emits less formaldehyde than hardwood.

So the stained bamboo flooring is taking the world of interior decoration by storm and has proven to be better and greener than hardwood floors.