Bamboo represents probably one of the most versatile materials in modern times. Not only is it used in construction, but it is medicinal, and even edible. Most people are surprised to find that this miracle plant is not even a wood, let alone hardwood. In fact, it's a grass.
For five thousand years China has been using bamboo for various uses from the mundane to the grandiose. The abundance of bamboo in China makes it an obvious choice for multi-purpose materials, and has been used for everything from bedding to furniture.
The angle most emphasized in bamboo flooring though, is its environmental importance. With bamboo being the fastest growing plant on earth, it is both conservable and replenish-able. Bamboo plants need very little in terms of pesticides and nurturing, and grow as much as a meter a day. It is considered with cork to be the leaders in green flooring.
Types of Bamboo Flooring
Bamboo is divided into two separate factions. One is a natural look, much resembling beech. The second is carbonized, in which the bamboo is treated with heat and steam. The longer the treatment, the darker the bamboo becomes. Both are classified as solid hardwoods. Some bamboo floors cane be "floated" – secured in place by connecting with other pieces instead of the floor beneath it – depending on the manufacturer.
Installation of Bamboo Flooring
Depending on the manufacturer, bamboo can either be floated, or secured to the subfloor as you would when installing solid hardwood.
