Bamboo Flooring

The look of wood flooring from a fast growing, renewable plant source

A flooring material which resembles wood but grows like grass? Bamboo flooring is an attractive alternative to wood or laminate flooring. Botanically classified as a grass, bamboo matures into a merchantable size in three to five years compared with 50 to 100 years for most hardwood species. The appearance of bamboo is very similar to wood flooring. It comes in vertical and flat-grain patterns and generally is offered in a light, honey or natural color and a darker, amber "carbonized" color.

Bamboo flooring can be nailed or floated and its strength and dimensional stability compare very well with traditional wood flooring. Some bamboo flooring products are highly dent resistant. Other bamboo flooring products are softer, so be sure to check with the manufacturer for product warranty information. The cost for prefinished bamboo flooring typically ranges from $4 to $8 per square foot plus installation. Common thicknesses for bamboo flooring products are ?, 5/8, and ? inches. Widths range from 3 to 4 inches and lengths range from 2 to 6 feet.

Besides the environmental benefits of this sustainable, fast-growing resource, bamboo makes an attractive, stable, dent-resistant alternative to wood flooring.

Courtesy of PATH

www.pathnet.org/homeowners