Hardwood is a popular flooring choice for many homeowners—it’s easy to clean and brings a classic and luxurious look to any home. Homeowners looking for an eco-friendly option for hardwood floors may consider bamboo, a material that has gained significant popularity in recent years.
Bamboo flooring offers several benefits and can be personalized to your home’s style and color palette. If you’re thinking about making the switch to bamboo hardwood, read on to learn more about its benefits.
Why You Should Consider Bamboo Flooring
As a lived-in space, your home needs durable materials that are guaranteed to last for many years to come. This is especially important for the floors since years of foot traffic and wear and tear can take a toll on their appearance and functionality.
One of the many reasons to consider bamboo flooring is its durability. This makes taking care of your bamboo floors a lot easier despite heavy use.
It’s also important to note that bamboo is an engineered wood flooring option. This means that it can come in a variety of styles and colors. Choosing bamboo flooring means bringing a uniqueness to your home, along with giving you the flexibility of something that’s affordable and easy to maintain.
Bamboo Flooring Benefits
If you’re looking to add a modern look to your home that’s sure to stand out, consider the following benefits of bamboo flooring.
1. Sustainable & Eco-Friendly
One of the main reasons to choose bamboo flooring is its sustainability and eco-friendliness. Bamboo is a renewable material that grows back three to four times faster than traditional hardwood trees. It can be harvested in as little as three years, and is often farmed in a sustainable manner. In fact, a lot of effort has been put into reducing the carbon emissions of manufacturing bamboo flooring to ensure minimal impact on the environment.
Bamboo flooring is also considered a natural insulator. This can help keep your heating bill low in the winter, and your cooling bill low in the summer.
2. Affordable
In addition to bamboo’s fast-growing rate and lower production costs, it is relatively affordable compared to other wood floor options. This can turn into massive cost-savings for homeowners who want something that is more budget-friendly.
Additionally, just because bamboo flooring doesn’t cost as much as hardwood flooring doesn’t mean it cannot hold up to the same quality and durability. Properly processed and installed, bamboo flooring has a long lifespan and is an excellent investment for any home.
3. Versatile
Bamboo flooring is a versatile material that can be produced in a wide array of styles, colors, and finishes. Whether your home has a traditional, rustic aesthetic or is more modern and sleek, bamboo flooring can accommodate your tastes.
It can also be adjusted for certain characteristics, like increased durability, water resistance, or heat resistance—for example, if you want heated flooring installed in your home.
4. Easy to Maintain
Maintaining bamboo flooring is easy, which is definitely ideal for homeowners with busy lifestyles and schedules. Simply sweeping or vacuuming on a regular basis will keep your floors looking clean.
Like any wood floor, an occasional quick and simple damp mopping is also recommended. Be sure to use a bamboo floor cleaner specifically designed for bamboo surfaces, such as Rock Doctor’s Bamboo Floor Cleaner, to avoid damaging the finish.
Bamboo flooring has a natural resistance to mold, allergens, and other living pests, which makes it easier to maintain. This also means it is a fantastic flooring option for individuals with allergies.
5. Durable & Water-Resistant
Normally, durability is associated with high costs, but bamboo flooring is an exception to this. Bamboo is harder than many other hardwoods, and is resistant to denting and typical wear and tear.
Some bamboo flooring options are designed to allow breathing. In contrast, other options are specifically designed to have water-resistant properties, which make them suitable for kitchens, bathrooms, and other moisture-prone areas.
However, not all bamboo flooring is water-resistant, and it is important to choose the right materials for the right locations. Even water-resistant flooring is not fully waterproof, so it is best to clean up spills quickly and use a damp mop rather than one that is sopping wet.
How to Care for Bamboo Flooring
To get the most out of its benefits, it’s important to know how to properly care for bamboo flooring. Follow these bamboo flooring cleaning methods:
Regular Cleaning
A regular cleaning schedule is the best way to keep your bamboo flooring in great condition. Routinely sweep or vacuum the floor to remove dirt, dust, and debris. This is to prevent any dents and scratches from foot traffic that smashes or scrapes rocks or other small debris along the flooring.
It’s also best to avoid using anything too abrasive, such as a broom or certain vacuum attachments, that could easily scratch the surface.
Avoid Excessive Moisture
While your bamboo floors are mostly water-resistant, it’s important to prevent standing water or excessive moisture on its surface. Quickly clean up spills to prevent any damage and water absorption. Use a damp mop for mopping, but do not pour water directly onto the floor for mopping.
Use Safe Floor Cleaners
When it comes to cleaning your bamboo flooring, choose Rock Doctor’s Bamboo Floor Cleaner, which is specifically designed for the surface. Avoid anything that can damage the flooring’s finish, such as harsh chemicals, ammonia, or abrasive cleaning agents.
Protect Against Scratches
Place felt pads or furniture gliders under the legs of heavy furniture to prevent scratches and dents. Don’t drag heavy, abrasive, or sharp objects across the floor.
Use Mats and Rugs
Mats and rugs can be used in doorways and hallways to help trap dirt and keep it from being tracked through the house. Use mats with a non-slip backing to keep mats in place and avoid any damage to the finish.
Trim Pet Nails
Preserving bamboo flooring also means regularly trimming your pet’s nails to prevent scratches. Mats can also be used in pet frequented areas to reduce damage to flooring.
Bamboo flooring comes with many benefits and is an overall great wood floor option for homeowners—especially those who are looking for a practical and eco-friendly flooring option. Follow proper bamboo flooring care and maintenance guidelines, and your flooring will retain its beauty and functionality for decades to come.
Looking for the right cleaning solution for bamboo or natural stone surfaces in your home? Shop online for products from Rock Doctor, or find us in a store near you.