The Beauty of Bamboo

Bamboo floors, clothing, furniture, even towels! If you haven't heard the bamboo buzz by now, you have to wonder where you've been. This fast growing grass (one of fastest growing plants on the planet, in fact) is being touted as the miracle material for its renew ability; its ability to resist mold, bugs and water; and its natural anti fungal and antibacterial properties. Found all around the world, there are about 1000 different species of bamboo growing in East Asia, northern Australia, India, Africa and from South Eastern America down to Argentina and Chile. Although American consumers are quickly developing an appetite for this versatile foliage, we're still way behind Asia where the plant is used as a food source, scaffolding, paper, fishing rods and charcoal.

One of the biggest uses in North America, and certainly an area of growing popularity, is bamboo flooring. These floors are a selling point in any home because, besides their aesthetic qualities, they bring a number of benefits to your residence.

Environmental features are a rising trend with today's savvy home buyer, and bamboo floors are both green and gorgeous. Choosing bamboo flooring saves trees, literally! Bamboo is renewable: some of the larger species can grow more than a meter a day, and this grass can be harvested every three to five years, leaving traditional forests intact (hardwood trees can take 60 to 80 years or more to mature).

Most bamboo floors are low-VOC, meaning they don't off-gas like other flooring products. The manufacturing process uses fewer chemicals than traditional flooring and the product requires fewer chemicals for maintenance. This makes it a good choice if someone in your household suffers from allergies or chemical sensitivities. And it's a great tidbit for cocktail parties... seriously.

This flooring also gets top marks for strength and durability. Made from robust species of Chinese bamboo, strips are dried, processed into a layered, laminated, product which meets or exceeds the performance of traditional woods like maple and oak.

Bamboo floors are extremely resilient as well – they bounce back upon impact and are less likely to dent. This quality makes them easier on your knees and back – perfect for spontaneous dancing. It also means the floor won't need refinishing as often as traditional flooring.

Bamboo is inherently water resistant, which is enhanced through the lamination process. This gives it an anti-warping quality that makes it ideal for areas where traditional hardwoods and laminates shouldn't be used, like basements, bathrooms, laundry rooms, and kitchens. Bamboo floors are a great way to transform your basement before a sale! Give that dank space a bright, clean new look.

And for those of you who were wondering – it's also easy to care for – just spin a dust mop or damp cloth across the surface, and you're done! Just one more reason to choose bamboo.