Bamboo Flooring Questions?

As far as environmental considerations go, bamboo is the friendliest option for flooring. The growing season for bamboo is shorter than most other woods and thus is easier to replenish. As far as its functionality in the home is concerned, some forms of bamboo flooring are just as durable as hardwood floors, but the finish tends to look a lot more graceful and does not seem to have the same effect on a room. Bamboo tends to make the room appear lighter, whereas a hardwood floor tends to darken the atmosphere.

2: How can I install bamboo flooring in my home?

Installation is easy. You must clear the floor you intend to lay the bamboo on first. Make sure that it is dry and spotless so there are no weaknesses under the flooring, and then simply glue or nail the bamboo down. It comes in plank and tile form so you can choose the type that is best for you. There are no techniques involved. All you have to do is make sure that the tiles/planks are lined up properly and then glue or nail! Don’t go on the flooring for at least three hours afterwards though because you will be disturbing it before the glue has set.

3: What do I need to do to maintain my bamboo flooring?

Most of the maintenance steps are common sense with any wooden flooring. Always take your shoes off before you enter, always mop up spillages as soon as humanly possible and so on. However, there are some steps that you need to follow on a daily basis to maintain the floor. Open the window every day for at least fifteen minutes to keep the floor aerated and make sure that curtains are drawn if you leave the house during the day to avoid direct sunlight shining on it for too long. It only needs to be varnished or treated every couple of years but you should dry mop it at least once a week to maintain the shine.

4: How can I mend scratched bamboo flooring?

Some types of bamboo floor are prone to scratching, but isolated scratches are easy to deal with. If your bamboo flooring should scratch, simply use fine sandpaper to work the scratch out. If this doesn’t work, use an electrical sander on a low setting so you can easily control it. Then just refinish the flooring and it will look as good as new.

5: Won’t damp set into my bamboo flooring?

This is an unlikely possibility. Bamboo floors do have to contain a degree of moisture because of the nature of the wood, but the wood is generally kiln dried and treated before being turned into the flooring we have in our homes. The moisture content is carefully controlled and is generally between 8% and 9%. The flooring would actually be degraded if it did not have this rather than as a result of it.

6: Is there any difference between the bamboo floorings on the market or are they all the same?

Yes, the types on the market vary greatly. Most importantly, there are varying degrees of hardness out there. You should endeavour to find one that boasts resistance to all materials. Some are finished with a chemical called urethane, which ensures that the flooring is scratch-resistant, fireproof, resistant to chemicals and oils, and will generally last for years. However, there are some bamboo floors that are relatively weak and will scratch easily. If you do want your floor to last for years, avoid these types.