A Go Green Home With Strand Woven Bamboo Flooring

Homeowners today are remodeling homes, and redecorating with the concerns of energy efficiency, and having a healthy home environment. One of the issues in many homes is mold, mildew, and dust mites which are unhealthy, and are also allergens which can create havoc, especially for those with existing allergies. One major home remodeling project is that of flooring. Often, when carpeting is removed, there may only be a subfloor underneath or a badly damage floor which needs to be replaced. There is a type of flooring which not only provides a healthy environment, but is also environmental friendly.

Rather than replacing carpets with hardwoods, bamboo flooring is becoming quite popular, great for protecting our environment, while providing homeowners with a "go green home." One of the greatest advantages is that wood flooring destroys trees, whereas bamboo flooring does not. It takes 15-20 years for trees to reach maturity, while it takes the grasses used for bamboo flooring 3 to 5 years before they mature for harvesting in order to be used as a flooring product.

The most durable of bamboo flooring is the strand woven bamboo. In fact, this type of high quality bamboo floor surpasses the Janka test when compared to hardwoods such as oak among others, making them quite durable for high traffic areas and in homes with pets. Unlike the finishing process used for the various types of wood floor, this type of flooring again proves to be perfect for the go green home.

A tongue and groove effect is created when the ends are ground down. The dried strips are heated under extreme temperatures and then woven together. Once these processes are completed, the final steps are to place the pieces under high pressure and then laminated with a non-toxic, water resistant stain that durable enough to hold up better than the traditional wood flooring. The one commonality between strand bamboo flooring and wood flooring is that they are natural products which may be affected by direct sunlight, and both are not recommended to be used in high moisture areas such as the bathroom.

The various colors, styles and cuts will allow you to create unique designs with strand woven bamboo flooring as found with other types of flooring. Once you have your new flooring installed, as with any flooring, proper maintenance is important in preserving your floors, and protecting them from damage due to improper care. Be sure to follow the manufacturers recommendations as to cleaning products. Typically, you will not want to use traditional housecleaning products, or the popular orange cleaning products on your bamboo floors.

One important key when choosing your flooring supplier and installer pertains to samples. If samples are not provided for you to test for scratches and dents, it is likely that the quality of flooring is not up to par. The cost of installation is comparable to other types of flooring. However, the cost of materials is often less than those of traditional hardwood flooring. As with any major project, it is advisable to obtain as much information as you can, and ask friends and neighbors for recommendations of suppliers and installers before you make such a large investment. Another factor to consider is a warranty on your product and installation. Once your project is completed, you will certainly have a beautiful, and healthy home while protecting the environment.