Bamboo Floors – Good or Bad for the Environment?

Bamboo is the perfect choice for those concerned about the rainforests where many hardwood flooring choices come from.

The bamboo that is used in flooring and other applications, such as cabinets, is typically grown in a plantation type setting for the express use of a building material. It is one of the true sustainable resources grown for this purpose.

Bamboo reaches maturity quickly, usually in five to six years. Harvesting the stalks does not destroy or otherwise kill the plant as bamboo is grown from a rhizome, which will send out new shoots immediately after the harvest.

Bamboo is the perfect choice for those concerned about the rainforests where many hardwood flooring choices come from. Often when harvesting from the rainforests, no new trees will grow due to soil conditions or the existing canopy blocking sunlight for the seedlings. If new trees do grow, it can take several hundred years for them to reach maturity.

Unlike hardwoods normally used for flooring, bamboo is less likely to swell and shrink during temperature and humidity changes. Warping, cupping and bowing of the boards are not considered an issue with bamboo even in areas that are prone to high humidity.

It is important when choosing bamboo flooring that you understand the chemicals used in the manufacturing of the boards. Some foreign companies routinely use compounds containing formaldehydes, which defeats the purpose of a healthy green home. These formaldehydes can be spread through out the home by the air conditioning system and enter the lungs simply by breathing. These compounds are common in the glue choices used by unethical importers. When shopping, look for the certification that the boards are formaldehyde free.

The choice of bamboo flooring is indeed good for the environment. By choosing bamboo, the consumer is making a conscious choice to save rainforests and other slow growth forest products. Bamboo floors give a healthy, natural glow to your home and with proper care can last a lifetime.

 

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