Installing and maintaining a bamboo floor
'Board' with your old floor? It's time to get the cane.
Benefits Of Bamboo Flooring by :
Ken Morris
Bamboo flooring is a beautiful alternative to hardwood. This
type of flooring is becoming very popular for its decorative value and
because it is one of the most environmentally friendly materials
currently used. Major manufacturers, such as Armstrong flooring,
Columbia flooring and Mohawk flooring offer a bamboo product.
Bamboo is nearly as strong as steel. It is much stronger than any other
material used in discount wood flooring. This durability makes bamboo
perfect for use on floors. It is stronger than linoleum flooring and
more comfortable to walk on than stone flooring. The weight, feel and
density of this material are nearly the same as real hardwood.
Floors can be made of solid bamboo or be an engineered product. This
means the bamboo is combined with another type of wood. Most often,
engineered materials contain a bamboo surface with a plywood core. The
bamboo can be stained and given a coat of urethane, as you would with
any other hardwood.
These floors are installed like other hardwood floors. They are most
often nailed or glued to the sub floor. Newer products are made to work
like laminate flooring where the pieces lock together and create a
floating floor. These don’t need to be nailed or glued in place.
The sub floor needs to be level prior to installation. If it isn’t
level, asphalt shingles can be used to level it out. Make sure the sub
floor material is completely dry and there is no moisture, which could
damage the new floor.
Bamboo Flooring: Environmentally Friendly
More people are becoming concerned about the depletion of the hardwood
forests on our planet. Many tree species take generations or may years
to grow, such as walnut or oak. There is not enough replanting and even
when new trees are planted, they can’t grow fast enough to satisfy the
demand. Efforts are being made to prevent the deforestation of the
rainforests.
Bamboo grows much faster than any tree used in manufacturing wood
flooring. Plants only take five years to become mature. After they are
harvested, new shoots begin to grow almost immediately. This happens
automatically with no need for replanting.
Caring for Bamboo Flooring
Remove dust and dirt with a broom or dust mop. You can clean the floor
using a water and vinegar solution containing 4 parts water to 1 part
vinegar. To do this, use a barely damp sponge mop. Dry the floor right
away with a towel. Don’t allow the floor to become soaking wet, as this
can damage the bamboo.
Use a damp cloth for occasional spills or sticky spots. After you wipe
up the spill, dry it with a towel right away. If the floor becomes dull,
you can buff it with a buff sander to restore the shine. With proper
care, your new floor will last for many years to come.
About The Author
Ken Morris is a successful author for
www.insidewoodworking.com a website
with resources. The writer is specializing in tips on
bamboo flooring
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