What Makes Strand Woven Bamboo a Green Flooring Alternative

What Makes Strand Woven Bamboo a Green Flooring Alternative?
Strand woven bamboo flooring as well as other ypes of bamboo have been touted as an ecologically sound alternative to hardwood floors.  This blog chooses to focus primarily on strand woven bamboo because of its advantages over other types of bamboo flooring because of its superior durability.  But what makes bamboo a better green flooring alternative?
The rate at which old-growth forests are disappearing in the world today is truly alarming.  More than 4 million acres of forests disappear from the earth each and every month.  Combine this with the fact that a tree harvested for use in the hardwood flooring market takes over sixty years to replace and it is easy to see how we simply can not afford to continue using traditional hardwoods from an ecological stand point.
Compare the rate of regeneration of a hardwood tree to that of a 60 foot peice of bamboo harvested for flooring – the bamboo will replenish in less than two months.  Bamboo is widely recognized throughout the world as one of the fasting growing plants around.  Besides its rate of regeneration, bamboo is a surprisingly better plant compared to hardwood ploots for the environment.  Bamboo is know to produce around 30% more oxygen to the atmosphere than a comparable stand of hardwood trees.  Ecologists hail this simple fact as an elegant way to combat the effects of global warming and reduce the overall atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide.  In addition, bamboo is well known for its abilities to combat soil erosion due to its root structure.  Because of its quick growing nature, bamboo is also excellent for restoring soil that has been degraded throough poor management – bamboo produces an abondunce of biomass which is added back to the soil to provide necessary nutrients and improve the overall soil quality.  In addition, when bamboo is selectively harvested rather than clear cut, it will quickly regenerate itself without the need to replant new bamboo plants.
In regards to soil erosion, the massive root structure of bamboo is excellent at providing a natrual barrier to run off and water.  This has the effect of significantly reducing run off and soil erosion while providing more available water within the watershed area.  When harvested properly, the enire bamboo plant is not taken which keeps the majority of vital topsoil in the area where it can continue to be nurished and improved by the bamboo plant.
On the other hand, when a lumber tree plot is harvested, it takes many decades for the trees to regenerate.  During that time, oxygen production is severly hampered as there are no mature trees left in the area to continue producing.  In adition, the soil in the area is left exposed and is more susceptible to soil erosion and degradation over time.  The negative environmental impact is striking in comparision to a similar site of bamboo farming.
It is easy to see how bamboo is a sustainable resource on its own.  When compared to a similar growth of trees traditionally used for flooring, the choice becomes even more obvious.  If you are looking for a natural wood flooring, strand woven bamboo is the green alternative.

Strand woven bamboo flooring as well as other types of bamboo have been touted as an ecologically sound alternative to hardwood floors.  This blog chooses to focus primarily on strand woven bamboo because of its advantages over other types of bamboo flooring because of its superior durability.  But what makes bamboo a better green flooring alternative?

The rate at which old-growth forests are disappearing in the world today is truly alarming.  More than 4 million acres of forests disappear from the earth each and every month.  Combine this with the fact that a tree harvested for use in the hardwood flooring market takes over sixty years to replace and it is easy to see how we simply can not afford to continue using traditional hardwoods from an ecological stand point.

Compare the rate of regeneration of a hardwood tree to that of a 60 foot piece of bamboo harvested for flooring – the bamboo will replenish in less than two months.  Bamboo is widely recognized throughout the world as one of the fasting growing plants around.  Besides its rate of regeneration, bamboo is a surprisingly better plant compared to hardwood plots for the environment.  Bamboo is know to produce around 30% more oxygen to the atmosphere than a comparable stand of hardwood trees.  Ecologists hail this simple fact as an elegant way to combat the effects of global warming and reduce the overall atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide.  In addition, bamboo is well known for its abilities to combat soil erosion due to its root structure.  Because of its quick growing nature, bamboo is also excellent for restoring soil that has been degraded through poor management – bamboo produces an abundance of biomass which is added back to the soil to provide necessary nutrients and improve the overall soil quality.  In addition, when bamboo is selectively harvested rather than clear cut, it will quickly regenerate itself without the need to replant new bamboo plants.

In regards to soil erosion, the massive root structure of bamboo is excellent at providing a natural barrier to run off and water.  This has the effect of significantly reducing run off and soil erosion while providing more available water within the watershed area.  When harvested properly, the entire bamboo plant is not taken which keeps the majority of vital topsoil in the area where it can continue to be nourished and improved by the bamboo plant.

On the other hand, when a lumber tree plot is harvested, it takes many decades for the trees to regenerate.  During that time, oxygen production is severely hampered as there are no mature trees left in the area to continue producing.  In addition, the soil in the area is left exposed and is more susceptible to soil erosion and degradation over time.  The negative environmental impact is striking in comparison to a similar site of bamboo farming.

It is easy to see how bamboo is a sustainable resource on its own.  When compared to a similar growth of trees traditionally used for flooring, the choice becomes even more obvious.  If you are looking for a natural wood flooring, strand woven bamboo is the green alternative.

Bamboo Floor Care and Maintenance – Dos and Don’ts

Bamboo Floor Care and Maintenance – Dos and Don’ts
DOs:
1 – Do clean your floor after installation is complete.  It is best to use a slightly damp mop and a no-wax cleaner that is formulated specifically for hardwood on bamboo flooring.  This step is important to pick up any particles that may have been spread during the installation that can potentially harm or scrath your new flooring.  While strand woven bamboo flooring is more durable that other types of bamboo, it is still a natural flooring that will be scraped and scratched by dragging small particles of dirt across the floor.  cleaning up properly after installation will help to minimize this.
2 – Do regularly use a dust mop to keep your bamboo floor clean.  Alternatively you can use a broom that has soft bristles or a vacuum cleaner that has a soft accessory brush attached.  This will help keep dirt from building up on the floor and potentially scratching it.  As staated earlier, any hardwood floor is potentially susceptible to scraping and scratching from small particles and pebbles.  Treat your floor like the princess who doesn’t want to find a pea underneath her mattress and you will be happy with the finish for years to come.
3 – Do keep any type of bamboo flooring dry.  You should always pick up any spilled liquids immediately.  It is best to use soft cloth to mop up any spills on the floor.  Not doing so will lead to warping and damage of your bamboo floor over time.
4 – Do follow the directions on any wood flooring products that you use on your new strand woven bamboo flooring.  If it states to add water, add water in the ration suggested.  Not doing so can result in chemicals being used on your floor that are too strong for the surface.  This will damage your floor over time, possibly leading to build up or cracking and further unsightly damage.
5 – Do use small carpets or mats around all outside entrances and exits.  This will give you a small space with which to capture all those bad, scratchy particles and pebbles that your family and friends may track inside from the great outdoors.  Remember that your bamboo floor is not like concrete – it needs a little bit of extra protection from the outside elements to remain looking its best for the long haul.
6 – Do have a place to remove shoes near the exits.  Walking on strand woven bamboo without removing your foot gear is not recommended as small, sharp particles can be trapped inside the treads.  Not only that, but high heels will put added stress on your flooring as well. Some people like the “aged” look of wood floors that have had a lot of high-heeled traffic, but if this is not your thing definitely keep them off the floor.  Otherwise, you will spend vast amounts of time and money refinishing and repairing bamboo flooring that could have been saved with this simple tip.
7 – Do use area rugs and runners in high-traffic area.  Sometimes is very difficult to get visitors and children to remove their shoes prior to walking on your new bamboo floor.  Using strategically placed rugs can help minimize the particulate matter that makes its way onto the bamboo planks themselves.
8 – Do use rugs in areas where spills are more likely.  If you’re installing bamboo flooring in a kitchen, bathroom, laundry room, or other area of your home where spills are more likely, protect the flooring with some small rugs and carpets.  Remember to always pick up any liquid spills immediately or you may permanently damage the underlying bamboo.
9 – Always vacuum, wash, or shake all rugs, carpets, and runners that you use on your bamboo flooring regularly.  This will help to keep down the buildup of dirt and other particles that may make there way out onto your flooring.  Once a week is probably the minimum that you want to make sure your bamboo stays healthy and beautiful.
10 – Use furniture protectors under every table and piece of furniture in the house.  This will help to distribute the weight of the article evenly across the flooring.  Generally protectors should be large enough to perform their function well.  Check the protectors annually to make sure they are not torn up or need to be replaced.  Also make sure to keep furniture protectors clean and clear of any debris, grit, or dirt.  If not, they will scratch the floor and defeat the purpose.
10 – If you have cats, dogs, or ferrets be sure to keep your pets’ nails clipped regularly.  Untrimmed pet nails are a huge source of scratches and other unsightly marks on bamboo floors.  If you are uncertain as to how to best trim your pet’s nails, be sure to speak with your veternarian or your pet’s groomer before proceeding on your own.
11 – Depending on the humidity in your area, you will most likely need to use a dehumidifier or a humidifier to maintain a constant relative humidity for yor flooring.  Generally you are looking for a range inside the house of 30-50%.  If your humidity is too high, the bamboo planks will swell over time.  If the humidity stays too low consistently, your floor will crack and shrink.  Either one of these situations bodes ill on long-term maintenance of bamboo floors and may even void your warranty if you have one.
DON’T
1 – Do not ever let any type of liquid including floor cleaners to stand on your floor.  The liquid will seep into the bamboo and cause staining, swelling, and possibly warping of the bamboo planks.
2 – Do not allow any type of dirt, particles, sand, or other type of grit build up on your flooring.  This is one of the easiest ways to insure that your floor is scratched and beat up quickly.  Sharp particles like sand will guage the floor quite easily.
3 – Do not use a vacuum without a soft brush attachement.  Beater bars and what not will drag grit and particles around.  This isn’t normally a problem if you are vacuuming carpet, but on hardwood and bamboo floors it will tear up your flooring.
4 – Do not use excessive amounts of liquid cleaners or water on your floors.  Dry mopping is best for daily maintenance.  When you do mop, do not spill the water out on the floor first and always make sure to dry the floor afterwards.  This will prevent any swelling or cupping of the floor.
5 – Do not use wax products to clean bamboo flooring.  Aside from being a hazard to the sock-wearing people who are now using your floor, the wax will build up over time, trap small particles of dirt, and generally create a headache in the end to maintain.
6 – Do not use any type of scrubbing pad or abrasive cleaners on your strand woven bamboo.  These types of cleaning products are not designed for the delicacies of natural wood floorings and will cut and scrape them up.  Same goes for any harsh detergents or chemical cleaners that are not specifically formulated for bamboo flooring.

Caring for Strand Woven Bamboo Flooring

Caring for strand woven bamboo floors is fairly simple if you will follow this list of do’s and don’ts.

DOs:

1 – Do clean your floor after installation is complete.  It is best to use a slightly damp mop and a no-wax cleaner that is formulated specifically for hardwood on bamboo flooring.  This step is important to pick up any particles that may have been spread during the installation that can potentially harm or scrath your new flooring.  While strand woven bamboo flooring is more durable that other types of bamboo, it is still a natural flooring that will be scraped and scratched by dragging small particles of dirt across the floor.  cleaning up properly after installation will help to minimize this.

2 – Do regularly use a dust mop to keep your bamboo floor clean.  Alternatively you can use a broom that has soft bristles or a vacuum cleaner that has a soft accessory brush attached.  This will help keep dirt from building up on the floor and potentially scratching it.  As staated earlier, any hardwood floor is potentially susceptible to scraping and scratching from small particles and pebbles.  Treat your floor like the princess who doesn’t want to find a pea underneath her mattress and you will be happy with the finish for years to come.

3 – Do keep any type of bamboo flooring dry.  You should always pick up any spilled liquids immediately.  It is best to use soft cloth to mop up any spills on the floor.  Not doing so will lead to warping and damage of your bamboo floor over time.

4 – Do follow the directions on any wood flooring products that you use on your new strand woven bamboo flooring.  If it states to add water, add water in the ration suggested.  Not doing so can result in chemicals being used on your floor that are too strong for the surface.  This will damage your floor over time, possibly leading to build up or cracking and further unsightly damage.

5 – Do use small carpets or mats around all outside entrances and exits.  This will give you a small space with which to capture all those bad, scratchy particles and pebbles that your family and friends may track inside from the great outdoors.  Remember that your bamboo floor is not like concrete – it needs a little bit of extra protection from the outside elements to remain looking its best for the long haul.

6 – Do have a place to remove shoes near the exits.  Walking on strand woven bamboo without removing your foot gear is not recommended as small, sharp particles can be trapped inside the treads.  Not only that, but high heels will put added stress on your flooring as well. Some people like the “aged” look of wood floors that have had a lot of high-heeled traffic, but if this is not your thing definitely keep them off the floor.  Otherwise, you will spend vast amounts of time and money refinishing and repairing bamboo flooring that could have been saved with this simple tip.

7 – Do use area rugs and runners in high-traffic area.  Sometimes is very difficult to get visitors and children to remove their shoes prior to walking on your new bamboo floor.  Using strategically placed rugs can help minimize the particulate matter that makes its way onto the bamboo planks themselves.

8 – Do use rugs in areas where spills are more likely.  If you’re installing bamboo flooring in a kitchen, bathroom, laundry room, or other area of your home where spills are more likely, protect the flooring with some small rugs and carpets.  Remember to always pick up any liquid spills immediately or you may permanently damage the underlying bamboo.

9 – Always vacuum, wash, or shake all rugs, carpets, and runners that you use on your bamboo flooring regularly.  This will help to keep down the buildup of dirt and other particles that may make there way out onto your flooring.  Once a week is probably the minimum that you want to make sure your bamboo stays healthy and beautiful.

10 – Use furniture protectors under every table and piece of furniture in the house.  This will help to distribute the weight of the article evenly across the flooring.  Generally protectors should be large enough to perform their function well.  Check the protectors annually to make sure they are not torn up or need to be replaced.  Also make sure to keep furniture protectors clean and clear of any debris, grit, or dirt.  If not, they will scratch the floor and defeat the purpose.

10 – If you have cats, dogs, or ferrets be sure to keep your pets’ nails clipped regularly.  Untrimmed pet nails are a huge source of scratches and other unsightly marks on bamboo floors.  If you are uncertain as to how to best trim your pet’s nails, be sure to speak with your veternarian or your pet’s groomer before proceeding on your own.  Strand bamboo and pets generally go well together, but you will need to take some precautions.

11 – Depending on the humidity in your area, you will most likely need to use a dehumidifier or a humidifier to maintain a constant relative humidity for yor flooring.  Generally you are looking for a range inside the house of 30-60%.  If your humidity is too high, the bamboo planks will swell over time.  If the humidity stays too low consistently, your floor will crack and shrink.  Either one of these situations bodes ill on long-term maintenance of bamboo floors and may even void your warranty if you have one.

DON’T

1 – Do not ever let any type of liquid including floor cleaners to stand on your floor.  The liquid will seep into the bamboo and cause staining, swelling, and possibly warping of the bamboo planks.

2 – Do not allow any type of dirt, particles, sand, or other type of grit build up on your flooring.  This is one of the easiest ways to insure that your floor is scratched and beat up quickly.  Sharp particles like sand will guage the floor quite easily.

3 – Do not use a vacuum without a soft brush attachement.  Beater bars and what not will drag grit and particles around.  This isn’t normally a problem if you are vacuuming carpet, but on hardwood and bamboo floors it will tear up your flooring.

4 – Do not use excessive amounts of liquid cleaners or water on your floors.  Dry mopping is best for daily maintenance.  When you do mop, do not spill the water out on the floor first and always make sure to dry the floor afterwards.  This will prevent any swelling or cupping of the floor.

5 – Do not use wax products to clean bamboo flooring.  Aside from being a hazard to the sock-wearing people who are now using your floor, the wax will build up over time, trap small particles of dirt, and generally create a headache in the end to maintain.

6 – Do not use any type of scrubbing pad or abrasive cleaners on your strand woven bamboo.  These types of cleaning products are not designed for the delicacies of natural wood floorings and will cut and scrape them up.  Same goes for any harsh detergents or chemical cleaners that are not specifically formulated for bamboo flooring.

7 – When you do find minor flaws in your strand bamboo flooring – repair scratches rather than allowing them to get worse and potentially weaken the surface of your floor.

Bamboo Flooring Pros and Cons

Bamboo Flooring Pros and Cons
The Ugly -
Bamboo is often touted as a wonderful, green building alternative – but is it really?  When choosing a bamboo producer and flooring company to purchase from, there are a few things you should investigate first.  For the most part, bamboo produced in the flooring industry is harvested from strands and plantations located in China.  While China has no standardized government regulations for bamboo flooring quality and production, quality importers in the US will set standards and stringent guidelings for the flooring materials that they will sell.
China is notorious for having questionable labor practices.  While most environmental and green building practices will advocate buying closer to home to cut down on emissions related to shipping items over a long distance, with bamboo that often just isn’t possible.  While there are many countries besides China that produce a large quantity of bamboo each year, most bamboo used in the flooring industry comes from China primarily and also Vietnam.  Smaller exporters include Japan, Indonesia, and Costa Rica.
Because of the popularity of bamboo flooring in America, flooring companies are demanding much higher quality standards than in the past.  This is beneficial for the consumer looking for quality bamboo flooring.  When purchasing bamboo flooring, keep in mind to check that the bamboo includes a water based finish as well as being manufactured without formaldehyde.  If the dealer you initially choose will not disclose formaldehyde emissions information, it is best to stay away from purchasing from them as China does not have air quality emmissions standards for toxic formaldehyde emmissions.  If the information is not disclosed, the bamboo floor may contain high levels of urea formaldehyde and not meet US safety standards.  If you are in doubt, you can always check with the Forest Stewardship Council to make sure that the bamboo flooring you are considering is high-quality and meets safety standards.
The Good -
When fair-trade harvested, bamboo truly is an eco-friendly and renewable flooring material.  Unlike hardwood which can take over 100 years to mature, bamboo is actually a grass that grows for four to six years prior to being harvested.  When made into strand woven bamboo flooring, virtually no waste product is left over from the bamboo plant itself.  Often bamboo costs much less than traditional lumber flooring as well.
The process of boiling strand woven bamboo in a solution of boric acid and lime removes the starch and sugars from the plant that attracts termites.  Once these strips are dry, some of the lime and boric acid remains behind providing an extra layer of protection against termite infestation and common fungi that can cause wood rot in hardwood floors.
While standard bamboo plank flooring tends to be on the softer side of wood floors, strand woven bamboo is much more dense and durable.  Originally when it was first introduced to the market, lighter shades of solid bamboo flooring have been compared to the approximate hardness of maple floors while darker colored bamboo flooring was compared to the hardness of walnut floors.  These types of floors are on the softer side and can be easily damaged by furniture and high heel traffic for example.  Engineered bamboo flooring was created next to improve the performance and durability of bamboo as a floor covering.  While engineered bamboo performs well and is better for high humidity areas, it has the drawback of not being constructed of 100% bamboo.  Strand woven bamboo flooring is the most recent advancement and addresses the question of durability while providing a solid bamboo flooring material.
Other Green Flooring Materials
If you decide that strand woven bamboo flooring isn’t the best eco-friendly option available for you, there are also some other green flooring options  that are increasing in popularity.  These include reclaimed wood which doesn’t harvest new hardwood, cork flooring, concrete flooring, and mudfloors.  Most of these other typses of green floorings will have a vastly different look than bamboo, however.

Strand Woven Bamboo Problems –

Bamboo is often touted as a wonderful, green building alternative – but is it really?  When choosing a bamboo producer and flooring company to purchase from, there are a few things you should investigate first.  For the most part, bamboo produced in the flooring industry is harvested from strands and plantations located in China.  While China has no standardized government regulations for bamboo flooring quality and production, quality importers in the US will set standards and stringent guidelines for the flooring materials that they will sell.

China is notorious for having questionable labor practices.  While most environmental and green building practices will advocate buying closer to home to cut down on emissions related to shipping items over a long distance, with bamboo that often just isn’t possible.  While there are many countries besides China that produce a large quantity of bamboo each year, most bamboo used in the flooring industry comes from China primarily and also Vietnam.  Smaller exporters include Japan, Indonesia, and Costa Rica.

Because of the popularity of bamboo flooring in America, flooring companies are demanding much higher quality standards than in the past.  This is beneficial for the consumer looking for quality bamboo flooring.  When purchasing bamboo flooring, keep in mind to check that the bamboo includes a water based finish as well as being manufactured without formaldehyde.  If the dealer you initially choose will not disclose formaldehyde emissions information, it is best to stay away from purchasing from them as China does not have air quality emissions standards for toxic formaldehyde emissions.  If the information is not disclosed, the bamboo floor may contain high levels of urea formaldehyde and not meet US safety standards.  If you are in doubt, you can always check with the Forest Stewardship Council to make sure that the bamboo flooring you are considering is high-quality and meets safety standards.

Strand Woven Bamboo Strengths –

When fair-trade harvested, bamboo truly is an eco-friendly and renewable flooring material.  Unlike hardwood which can take over 100 years to mature, bamboo is actually a grass that grows for four to six years prior to being harvested.  When made into strand woven bamboo flooring, virtually no waste product is left over from the bamboo plant itself.  Often bamboo costs much less than traditional lumber flooring as well.

The process of boiling strand woven bamboo in a solution of boric acid and lime removes the starch and sugars from the plant that attracts termites.  Once these strips are dry, some of the lime and boric acid remains behind providing an extra layer of protection against termite infestation and common fungi that can cause wood rot in hardwood floors.

While standard bamboo plank flooring tends to be on the softer side of wood floors, strand woven bamboo is much more dense and durable.  Originally when it was first introduced to the market, lighter shades of solid bamboo flooring have been compared to the approximate hardness of maple floors while darker colored bamboo flooring was compared to the hardness of walnut floors.  These types of floors are on the softer side and can be easily damaged by furniture and high heel traffic for example.  Engineered bamboo flooring was created next to improve the performance and durability of bamboo as a floor covering.  While engineered bamboo performs well and is better for high humidity areas, it has the drawback of not being constructed of 100% bamboo.  Strand woven bamboo flooring is the most recent advancement and addresses the question of durability while providing a solid bamboo flooring material.  The care and maintenance of bamboo floors is very similar to that required for most hardwood floors.

Other Green Flooring Materials-

If you decide that strand woven bamboo flooring isn’t the best eco-friendly option available for you, there are also some other green flooring options  that are increasing in popularity.  These include reclaimed wood which doesn’t harvest new hardwood, cork flooring, concrete flooring, and mudfloors.  Most of these other types of green flooring will have a vastly different look than bamboo, however.

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