Bamboo Flooring – The Responsible Choice
Posted on August 19, 2009 - Filed Under Business | Leave a Comment
Today, when decisions about construction projects and construction materials are on the table, new-age criteria dominate the scene. The old standards like appearance, quality and price are ever-present, but now these considerations are joined by green terms like sustainability, eco-friendly and environmentally responsible. These green considerations are important for the world we live in and for the world our offspring will occupy. The simple truth is that if every construction project in the U.S. employed these considerations, the world would be a better, safer and healthier place.
Bamboo floors represent a solid green, more sustainable and eco-friendly option than most people realize. In fact, a decision to install bamboo floors not only supports the green commitment but also satisfies those old traditional buying standards. Bamboo floors offer dynamic appearance, unparalleled quality and are surprisingly cost-effective. Meanwhile, bamboo floors have very positive green ratings and qualities.
Like most building materials, not all bamboo floor products are the same. The key to a prudent bamboo floor selection is understanding the manufacturing process, the installation process and the post-installation maintenance guidelines. Naturally, the green factors need to be integrated with the old standards. When the old standards and new-age considerations come together, the consumer will undoubtedly cherish the rich, durable performance and generous savings generated by a bamboo flooring system.
Bamboo floors are constructed from strips from whole bamboo canes that are boiled in order to remove sugars and to preserve the wood. High-grade bamboo floors only use premium quality strips. Lesser-graded strips are sold to discount flooring companies.
The high-grade bamboo strips are treated and dried for approximately 15 days. When a six percent moisture content is achieved, the bamboo is deemed ready for use. The highest quality bamboo floors utilize a tongue and groove linking system. Consumers can then decide if they prefer to nail, glue or float the floor as it is installed.
The highest quality bamboo flooring is manufactured from 5-7 year old organically grown moso bamboo. This raw material selection assures consistent color, density and strength.
Vibrant and durable bamboo remains the planet's most sustainable wood. The best bamboo floors are compressed and sealed in order to achieve the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) credits that typify responsible green construction.
What most consumers do not understand about bamboo is that it grows rapidly. While it may take more than 30 years to replace an oak tree, bamboo can be harvested for flooring every 5-7 years. Bamboo is the fastest growing plant on the planet.
Because bamboo is twice as hard as oak, it expands at half the rate of other hardwoods. This makes bamboo ideal for flooring and adds useable life to the surface. These same qualities allow bamboo to be used in many diverse construction environments.
Looking at a high quality bamboo floor, the consumer may understandably assume that the wood is more expensive than other hardwoods. Remember, bamboo is a grass. As such, bamboo grows back faster than trees and as a more readily available product, the price is very favorable. As businesses and construction projects gravitate toward LEED ratings, demand for bamboo has increased dramatically. As demand has increased, manufacturing and distribution costs have settled into a very competitive range.
When evaluating the manufacturing quality of bamboo flooring, the consumer should research the manufacturing process. The manufacturers commitment to environmentally responsible production is the most critical consideration in the quality of the material. This process is enhanced by the quality of the raw material stock as well as by the crucial final coating technique. Consumers who do their research and understand the green value of bamboo floors will be happy with their selection for years to come.At Cali Bamboo where we promote the use of bamboo as an alternative product made from renewable resources, that can help make a difference in the future of our planet. Visit online today.
Related Posts
Comments
Leave a Reply
