For quite some years now, bamboo flooring products have been gaining popularity among architects and interior designers. However, less sustainable products, such as PVC flooring, are also on the rise. Fortunately, in 2020/2021, the year in which we have had to spend much more time at home than in previous years, more and more people are taking the environmental impact into account when redecorating. A bamboo floor has several advantages, especially when it comes to the environment and climate.
6 reasons why bamboo flooring is the flooring of 2021
We invite you to discover why a bamboo floor is the floor of 2021!
Bamboo floors have a popular natural look
Bamboo floors are made of a natural material. The floor is “alive”, meaning no one board is the same and the appearance is therefore very natural. This natural look is loved by many. It creates warmth and tranquility in an interior. It is not without reason that synthetic material floors often mimic and try to recreate a wood print. In the end, nothing beats the real thing, a beautiful natural material like bamboo!
Bamboo is a fast growing raw material, known for its sustainable properties
Not only does bamboo hold the Guinness World Record for the fastest growing plant in the world, it is also a plant that continues growing even after harvesting. Whereas trees die after being harvesting, a bamboo plant simply continues to grow from the rhizome. Each year, new stems grow and within six months they reach a length of 20 metres.
It then takes another 4-5 years for the stem to become fully mature. During this growth, bamboo absorbs large amounts of CO2, which is a huge environmental benefit. Harvesting and managing a bamboo forest prevents stems from rotting and releasing the CO2 they previously absorbed. Instead, the CO2 is stored in the material and thus a bamboo floor.
Bamboo is a hard material and our compressed style is even harder than most hardwood floors
One frequently asked question is: is a bamboo floor durable? Bamboo floors are very durable and this is, among others, to do with its hardness. Immediately after harvesting a mature Moso bamboo stem, bamboo itself has a hardness comparable to that of an oak floor. This hardness is maintained when producing floors using the bamboo strips, we call these “vertical” (bamboo elite flooring). Compressed bamboo floors are made from strips that have first been crushed and then compressed. This is done under high pressure, which increases the density of the material. The hardness of compressed bamboo floors is therefore comparable to the hardest hardwood species. These floors can withstand tough conditions, are very suitable for commercial applications and the very hardest style, Bamboo UltraDensity®, is even used in railway stations.
There are different bamboo floors available to suit most situations
A bamboo floor is like any other type of flooring: there are different styles and colours available. From wide and long boards to small boards consisting of solid bamboo strips, anything is possible. These various designs not only look different but also offer distinct technical properties. Smaller boards made from straight bamboo strips are the most economical choice and large, wide boards made from rock-hard compressed bamboo have a higher value. We are happy to go into more detail about the different bamboo floors.
Bamboo floors provide a healthy indoor environment without harmful substances
A healthy indoor environment is, in our opinion, a requirement: who doesn’t want a healthy material in their house or building? As bamboo floors cannot be made out of a solid stem, seeing as the bamboo stem is hollow after all, glue has to be used in the production. MOSO® (our supplier) guarantees that the glues used for the floors do not contain any harmful substances. All floors are tested in European laboratories and comply with the strictest requirements concerning the emissions of harmful substances.
Bamboo floors are hardwearing and come with a 25 year guarantee
We already mentioned that bamboo flooring products are very hard and therefore have a long lifespan. You will most likely have read such claims with other flooring as well: wear-resistant, holds it’s colour and durable. However, all materials discolour under the influence of UV light, footsteps and other forms of use. A big advantage of bamboo is that it is relatively easy to refurbish the floor when signs of use become too visible. With laminate or PVC flooring, damage to a board will usually mean the entire floor will require replacement. A bamboo floor can be sanded and refurbished by a professional or handy person, just like a wooden floor.
The above is based on the originally published article by our Dutch supplier on moso-bamboo.com
