Strand Woven Bamboo Flooring

Choosing the type of flooring in your house will often come down to price and aesthetics, and perhaps durability. However, with the current environmental problems we have, you may want to think of the environmental impact the different flooring options have as well. When it comes to bamboo, there is no better option. Read on to find out why.

Bamboo is the fastest growing plant on earth, and grows more than 10 times faster than most hardwood trees. It only takes about 5-6 years to be grown to a point where it can be harvested and after it´s harvested, bamboo grows back without having to be replanted. This is because each plant that has been harvested, known as a “mother plant” will grow several new stems. In just a few months these stems grow to full length, and another 5-6 years later, will be mature and ready for harvest. In contrast, Hardwood trees, can take up to 60 years to be fully grown, and each tree must be replanted. This in itself proves that bamboo is far more environmentally sustainable than any hardwood. However, there is more…

Bamboo is an excellent plant for the air we breathe. It creates 30 % more oxygen than a typical hardwood forest, and is known to reduce more carbon dioxide gases. Some measurements have calculated that it can remove up to 12 tons of carbon dioxide per hectare! Sounds like just what we need on planet earth.

Bamboo has a wide spread root system and a large canopy. This helps protect the land from erosion due to rain. The canopy of the bamboo acts as a shield or protector of the soil against hard rainfalls, while the roots hold the earth in place and suck up extra water. Bamboo also has a high nitrogen consumption, and is therefore conducive to removing unhealthy amounts of nitrogen in the soil resulting from livestock farming and sewage.

More than just growing quickly, bamboo also grows with ease. It can be planted in soil that has been damaged due to poor agricultural practices, and will help convert the land into high quality, nutrient rich soil.

Every day, more hardwood forests are being cleared, and replanting efforts are not nearly enough to replace what has been lost. Given the serious environmental problems that our planet is experiencing, it is more important each day to find more sustainable resources. Each and every person is responsible for making the right decisions to help reduce the strain we are causing to the environment. There are many things we can do to reduce this strain by making sound environmental choices in our homes, and using bamboo flooring is one small step in the right direction towards environmental sustainability. When you first decided to look for new types of flooring, most people don´t have the environment in mind. Now you know that you can make a difference, with a decision as small as choosing a type of flooring for your home.

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What is Strand Woven Bamboo?

Strand woven bamboo flooring takes regular bamboo flooring one step further, to make a stronger, higher quality, and nicer looking flooring. It is made through a special manufacturing process, using bamboo shoots that are four to six years old. First, the shoots of bamboo are cut into long strips. These strips are boiled and ground down even further by a machine. Once dried, they are heated to a high temperature and woven together (hence strand woven bamboo). The woven bamboo is then put under very high pressure and laminated using a non-toxic, water resistant resin. This seals the bamboo flooring, adding to its strength, and making it more resistant to moisture.

Strand woven bamboo can be found in numerous shades, ranging from natural bamboo color to a fairly dark shade. The grain and “pattern” will vary slightly from dealer to dealer, so it is recommended you check out various suppliers to find one that will fit your house. Bamboo flooring can be installed in any room of one´s house. However, it is important to note that if bamboo gets wet and is not dried quickly, the wood can swell and will no longer sit properly. Furthermore, if you decide to install bamboo flooring in a bathroom, it will not usually be covered by warranty.

What is the difference regular bamboo flooring and strand woven bamboo flooring?

The main difference between the two is in how the plant is processed. As mentioned above, in strand woven bamboo the plant is shredded into small fibers which are then heated and compressed by high pressure. This makes strand woven bamboo flooring far more durable than regular bamboo flooring. Of course, it also makes it more expensive.  They also look slightly difference, but both can be very aesthetically pleasing. Keep in mind that strand woven is more compact, and is therefore a little harder to work with as well.

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