Bamboo is a fantastic building material for green projects, because of its impressive renewal rate. The bamboo plant is the fastest growing plant in the world. Bamboo can grow as much as 48” in just 24 hours, and in times of maximum growth, can actually grow at a rate of one meter per hour for short stretches of time. The lifespan of a bamboo plant is typically only about 7 years, making this fast growing plant ideal for harvesting between 3 – 7 years for building purposes, with the best strength being achieved with a harvest at 6 years.

The bamboo plant is self renewing, and harvesting the plant before its demise does not weed or thin the bamboo population. This makes bamboo an option for those who love the look of hardwood and parquet flooring, but are trying to keep their home environmentally friendly.

How is Bamboo Flooring Made?
Bamboo has long been used in Eastern cultures as a building material. To form planks, floors, and other Western style building materials, the bamboo is first cut into thin strips. These strips are then planed flat, boiled, laid to dry before gluing and pressing them into laminated sheets and planks.

How does Bamboo Flooring Compare to Other Hardwoods?
When it is harvested at its optimum time of 6 years, and manufactured by companies upholding high standards, bamboo flooring can be up to three times stronger than oak hardwoods. Bamboo floor planks are available in multiple colors and finishes, to mimic the appearance of other hardwoods, and are available in two grain patterns.

If the bamboo has been cut horizontally, the grain of the floor will appear wider, than if the bamboo has been cut vertically. This, combined with colors ranging from cognac, to natural, to mocha, allow bamboo floors to compare favorably with nearly any hardwood.

How Are Bamboo Floors Installed?
Bamboo floors can be installed just like other floors. Floating floor options are available for do-it-yourself homeowners, who wish to simply snap the pieces together over an existing floor or substrate. Other options include pre-finished and unfinished planks which need to be glued or nailed to the ground.

The planks are available in uniform sizes perfect for creating parquet patterns, by simply snapping the planks together. Other planks can be purchased in multiple lengths and width to create more rustic floors, or more traditional hardwood floor styles.

What Are Some Design Options for Use with Bamboo Floors?
Bamboo floors can be used in the same way that regular hardwood floors are. Try creating a parquet pattern in an entry way or dining room, by using contrasting colors of planks to create angular shapes. The planks can be laid in a herringbone or box pattern for large, open loft style floors, or have a deeper shade of wood inlaid around the perimeter of the room to highlight the beauty of the space and the floor. With its durability and countless color options, there is no end to the ways that bamboo floors can be used in residential settings.

Bamboo pricing and quality can vary widely by manufacturer, so be sure to get information on the age of the bamboo if possible before purchasing. Add bamboo floors to a green building design today, and bring a touch of elegance to the space.

Pictures of Bamboo Hardwood Flooring: