The modern, environmentally friendly and durable alternative to
hardwood is bamboo flooring. Being a grass, as opposed to
timber, gives bamboo the edge as a not only a building product
(being strong and at the same time flexible), but also as a
sustainable resource: wood takes approximately 15-20 years to
reach maturity, whereas the non-harmful harvesting of bamboo
takes a mere 3 to 5 years. Bamboo has traditionally been the
material of choice in most of Asia, and it is only recently that
its benefits and environmental properties have begun to be
utilised more fully in the west.
The growth in popularity in recent years for wood flooring has
increased the burden on already stretched timber resources.
Bamboo flooring shares many of the properties that attract
discerning customers to hardwood; it's low maintenance, hard
wearing, and looks contemporary while having a timeless appeal;
but it is without any of the environmental concerns that are
attached to its hardwood counterpart.
Due to its flexibility as a material, bamboo flooring has a
broad appeal that can be manipulated to a suit a variety of
styles. Its range of applications varies from period homes to
offices, designer hotels and bars.
As well as being environmentally sound, bamboo flooring is
competitively priced and easy to fit. Ease of fitting is always
a worry for the prospective purchaser, with bamboo flooring the
process has been simplified by the formulation of three
different methods:
1) Floating floor: this involves gluing the tongue and groove
joints of the bamboo flooring together over an underlay.
2) Secret Nailing: the bamboo floor is 'secretly' nailed to down
to a wood sub-floor.
3) Gluing down: literally gluing the bamboo floor to a sub-floor.
Each of these methods has its own benefits. More information can
be found at the The Bamboo Flooring Company
One concern that has arisen with the implementation of bamboo
flooring is regarding the use of Urea Formaldehyde, which is
used as a binder or adhesive in the manufacture of bamboo
flooring. Using the present technology, its use is unavoidable.
However, reputable bamboo flooring suppliers with firm
environmental principles, make every effort to ensure that its
use conforms to the rigid E-1 European Standards. It is
important to stress that exposure to any dangerous chemicals in
bamboo flooring is negligible.
The benefits of choosing bamboo flooring are chiefly to found in
the warm, comforting ambience it creates. Bamboo flooring
immediately draws attention and recognition to a room, giving it
character and focus. With its hard wearing properties,
environmental benefits and natural beauty, bamboo flooring is
the flooring of choice for generations to come.
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