8 Advantages and Disadvantages of Bamboo Flooring

Only a few natural surface covering materials possess the many properties that hardwood flooring has. Bamboo is one of them, sharing the same positive benefits of a hardwood floor, despite being made from a certain type of grass. However, just as hardwood has its vulnerabilities and drawbacks, so does bamboo. Therefore, it is best to consult the advantages and disadvantages first when deciding to purchase or perform maintenance.

List of Advantages of Bamboo Flooring

1. Environmentally Friendly
Due to the fact that bamboo is made out of natural vegetation, it is an eco-friendly type of material. Likewise, bamboo is known to be a highly renewable source which can be grown into maturity in as quick as 3-5 years only. Unlike hardwood, which can be harvested at least on a twenty year interval, bamboo can grow obviously faster.

2. Easy to Maintain
Another positive review for bamboo is that it is quite easy to maintain. This can be done by regularly using vacuum or broom to remove the small particle debris. Likewise, it can be cleaned using a mop or a non-wax or an alkaline-free solution or any bamboo or hardwood flooring cleaner.

3. Water-Resistant
The natural material in bamboo makes it slightly resistant to water damage compared to hardwood. However, it may cause a concern over time.

4. Durable for Flooring
Some types of bamboo can be stronger and more durable than conventional materials. In fact, those natural and un-carbonized bamboo which has been properly harvested and processed can be as durable as the red oak tree. More so, bamboo that has been strand woven can also be processed even harder and more durable.

List of Disadvantages of Bamboo Flooring

1. Volatile Organic Chemical Emission
The adhesive used in the manufacture of bamboo flooring can cause the release of volatile organic chemicals (VOC) into the air around the house over time. The process of shredding and slicing the bamboo grass plant, including the adhesion of pieces back together with the use of heat and a resin-based adhesive and pressure could cause the emission of VOCs.

2. Easily Get Scratches
Although bamboo flooring can be easier to maintain compared to hardwood, it is not easy to make it perfect when used on a regular basis. In fact, there are many things that can scratch the surface of a bamboo flooring, such as shoes, pet claws, and furniture rollers. Tiny pieces of sand or grit can also get the bamboo floor to get some scratches in time.

3. Damage Caused by Water
Although it is the positive property of bamboo to be water-resistant, being a natural material composed of organic elements, this can still be vulnerable to excessive moisture. The molds that have been built on the wet surfaces will accumulate over time and that should cause the degradation of the bamboo.

4. Grading System Insufficiency
There are no independent systems being used in order to rate the bamboo material quality. Oftentimes, retailers only sort them in accordance with an arbitrary system which does not reflect the true quality of such products.