Bamboo flooring provides another avenue for those looking for something other than hardwood.  Growing in popularity as an alternative, bamboo flooring has many attractive features that make it a viable option for modern homeowners.  Although harvested primarily in China, bamboo flooring is now widely available in North America and Europe.  Many early adopters of bamboo flooring point out its environmental friendliness.  The bamboo plant regrows within a few seasons and can be harvested repeatedly without permanent damage.  In fact, the bamboo plant is considered a grass, as it grows far faster than a forest.  When done responsibly, bamboo plant harvesting can be accomplished in a environmentally friendly manner.

How does bamboo flooring compare with traditional hardwoods?  High quality bamboo flooring is harder and more durable than even the most expensive hardwood flooring.  Moisture is also less of a problem for bamboo flooring.  Where traditional hardwood may buckle and crack because of water exposure, bamboo flooring can absorb the moisture without a problem.  Bamboo flooring is engineered like a laminate and treated under very high pressure with a high quality adhesive.  This makes bamboo flooring extremely hardy and resistant to abrasion, where less treated hardwood floors may show scratches after a while.  Bamboo flooring has become significantly more affordable in the past few years as well.

Best of all, bamboo flooring can typically be installed at home without any professional assistance.  Like many of the newer hardwoods, bamboo flooring is produced with a tongue and groove construction, making them considerably easier to install.  Before installing a bamboo floor, allow the planks sit in their new environment for no less than 72 hours.  Although bamboo flooring does not suffer from water damage like hardwood, they do need some time to adjust to the new environment before installation.

What should be done to maintain a bamboo floor?  Maintenance requirements are fairly simple for bamboo flooring.  Be sure to clean the floor after installing it, using a mop with only a little bit of water.  Regular dusting and sweeping should be done after installation.  This will prevent a build up of dust that can dull the finish.  A mat should be placed at the entrance to prevent dust and dirt from coming into the room.  Dirt and small rocks can easily scratch the finish, and a mat can go a long way in preventing this problem.

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