Whether you are considering a bamboo floor for your kitchen because you are looking for something more environmentally friendly than traditional hardwood floors, or whether you simply love the natural beauty of this type of floor, bamboo flooring is an exciting alternative. Before making a final decision, however, there are a few things you should consider.
Bamboo kitchen floors have many benefits, but there are also a few cons. Continue reading to find out more.
Benefits of bamboo kitchen floors
Environmentally friendly
Bamboo is a great choice for people who want to have a ‘green’ home. In fact, it is one of the most eco-friendly floor options available. While hardwood floors come from trees that can take more than 20 years to mature, bamboo matures in three to five years. And since the roots are left in the ground, the bamboo plant will continue to grow and can be re-harvested at a later stage.
Durable
Bamboo floors are also extremely durable. It is strong enough to withstand the impact of the odd falling pot or pan in the kitchen or the abrasion caused by pets and children. In fact, according to the Janka Hardness Scale, which measures the strength and hardness of different wood species, it ranks higher than White and Red Oak, North American and Caribbean Walnut, and North American and Brazilian Maple.
Easy maintenance
it’s very easy to maintain bamboo floors. To remain looking clean and beautiful, all they need is regular sweeping and periodic mopping. Mopping your bamboo kitchen floor with a mild soap solution from time to time is fine. Just make sure that you first squeeze out all the excess water from the mop. For lasting shine non-alkaline, non-wax cleaners are a good choice.
Moisture resistant
Although bamboo floors are more resistant to water damage than conventional wood, they are not 100 percent waterproof. If water should accumulate on your bamboo kitchen floor for over 20 hours, there will most likely be some damage.
To prevent the liquid from seeping into the bamboo, all liquid spills (not just water) should be wiped up promptly. If you don’t do that, you could end up with unsightly stains. In this regard, it is good to know that pre-engineered and sealed bamboo comes with a protective layer that makes it nearly totally impervious to moisture-related damage.
Bamboo is also available for cabinets
Pest-resistant
In its natural state, bamboo doesn’t attract many pests. The chances that your brand-new bamboo kitchen floor will become a haven for bugs and termites are therefore relatively small.
Cost-effective
Taking into account the durability and good looks of bamboo kitchen floors, they are among the most cost-effective alternatives. It is not recommended, however, to use price as your only consideration. Rather go for good quality bamboo and make sure it comes with green certification.
Also Read: 8 Tips To Make Your Next Kitchen Renovation More Sustainable
Possible downsides of bamboo kitchen floors
We wouldn’t be telling the full story if we didn’t mention that bamboo floors also come with a few potential cons.
Low-quality brands could emit Volatile Organic Chemicals
Bamboo planks are made by treating shredded bamboo stalks to pressure, heat, and resin-based adhesives and compacting them. Over time, inferior quality brands might emit volatile and toxic chemicals. This is why it’s so important to choose a brand that complies with the CARB Phase 2 standard.
‘Vertical’ and ‘horizontal’ bamboo floors can lack durability
While strand-woven bamboo flooring is one of the hardest types of flooring available out there, ‘vertical’ and ‘horizontal’ bamboo floors, where the bamboo strips are glued together either vertically or horizontally and then machined to create a floor plank, are typically rather soft and therefore not particularly durable. These bamboos suffer from a weak internal structure and thus easily scratch – in stark contrast to the durability and strength of strand-woven bamboos.