Is Bamboo Flooring Durable

When choosing between hardwood and bamboo considerations include wearability.

Is bamboo flooring durable.

Design connection let interior designer arlene ladegaard guide you through all things bamboo in this great article from her design blog. Most off the shelf bamboo flooring is made by laying the bamboo grass stalks cross direction. However not all bamboo flooring is created equal. Durable floors in action.

Stalk placement added materials and quality of bamboo. The janka hardness scale ranks wood for density and is a reliable indicator of floor durability in regard to hardness and denting the higher the rating the more resistant the floor is to dents scratches and wear. If bamboo isn t allowed to mature and harden before being harvested in some cases as early as 3 months the flooring will look great at first but will be soft and non durable. Strand bamboo is one of the most durable flooring materials available with a janka hardness exceeding that of brazilian walnut.

It s available as tongue and. It s also a viable flooring option. Modern 24 seven this article from elizabeth sullivan s design blog caught my eye take a look at what some people are doing with their. Durable and abundant bamboo has been used as a building material for centuries.

Stranded bamboo is by far the biggest section of the bamboo flooring market. For those who prefer modern décor bamboo flooring has a clean contemporary look. Top quality bamboo flooring is as durable as traditional hardwood flooring. Engineered bamboo flooring is made by bonding a thin layer of bamboo onto a plywood or mdf core.

It s made by shredding the stalks into long strands and then compressing them into the final solid form using heat and plastic binders. This flooring is comparable to engineered hardwood and is installed in the same way usually with click lock planks that float over a foam underlayment. Typically un carbonized and strand woven bamboo flooring is harder and more durable while darker bamboo represents a weakened structure and general softness. Some bamboo floors are more durable than others or emit varying levels of volatile organic compounds such as formaldehyde depending upon how they are manufactured teragren says.

Less expensive horizontal and vertical bamboo flooring planks are about as durable as american walnut or cherry. Red oak one of the most common hardwood flooring species ranks 1 290. The secret to bamboo flooring s sky high janka durability ratings lies in three factors. It is the least expensive and least durable form of bamboo flooring and it cannot be refinished.

Check out these other sites to see how durable wood floors are being put to use.