All about bamboo flooring

Over the last few years, bamboo floors have become the latest craze. Environmentally conscious home owners are choosing them over traditional hardwood floors because of their sustainability and environmentally sound origins. However, some critics are raising the alarm that bamboo flooring are not as “green” as they could be. 

There are different forms of bamboo floors available to consumers. In North America, the manufactured bamboo flooring that is commonly found is highly processed. The bamboo is first split and flattened, and then dried. Later it is laminated in layers with glue under high pressure. Manufactured bamboo floors are usually available in planks with either vertical- or horizontal-grain orientation.

Bamboo flooring is available in two major colors: natural (similar to beech) and carbonized (similar to oak). Bamboo flooring gets its color from a process called carbonization in which bamboo is steamed under a controlled pressure and temperature.  As the bio-organisms and sugar breaks down, the color of the material changes into a brown. Natural and carbonized bamboo floors are often referred to as solid bamboo. This can be somewhat misleading as the structures are layered, similar to a plywood.

One of the main advantages of bamboo is that it is a renewable resource.  The bamboo plant is a grass that reaches maturity in about three years while many conventional hardwood floors (such as oak) can take 120 years to grow to maturity. The bamboo plant also regenerates with replanting and requires minimal fertilization or pesticides. Bamboo floors are also considered to be water repellant, making them a save choice in kitchens and bathrooms. 

However, some will argue that bamboo is not being managed in a sustainable fashion. While it is true that the plant regenerates, forests are being cleared to grow bamboo. Producers in Asia, mainly China, have been aggressive in their planting often at the expense of existing woodlands and their ecosystems. When the bamboo is transformed into plans, the factories often use glues with high levels of formaldehyde. Should you choose to install bamboo floors in your home, beware that, like any hardwood floors, it can be damaged by dents, scratches, etc. 

The bottom line is that you will have to do your homework before you buy  bamboo flooring materials. While it is a beautiful wood with a high regeneration capacity, beware of the potential health risk of the glues used to make the product. Ask questions and don’t be shy to request test results. Reputable flooring companies offer glues that emit less than 0.01 parts per million of the substance. You may have to pay a little more for this option, but your health is worth it. Also, be sure to walk on an installed bamboo floor before making your final decision. The feel of a bamboo floor can vary depending on how the material has been treated and the finish applied. You want to be sure that you new floor will grace your home for decades and not have to be ripped up after a few years. 

Sterling Wong
http://www.articlesbase.com/real-estate-articles/bamboo-flooring-a-greener-option-672438.html

Second only to the walls in terms of surface area, the flooring in your home offers a real opportunity to make a large scale style statement. Unlike walls however, flooring has the added task of standing up to a lot of wear and tear. Finding a good balance is crucial to successful flooring.

Carpeting is currently making a huge comeback. A decade of laminate flooring has left us all yearning for a little comfort and warmth underfoot. Most people ditched their carpet in an effort to toe the minimal line, but today this really is unnecessary as a modern clutter free finish can still be achieved with carpets. The trick is to opt for the pattern free variety. A biscuit or oatmeal coloured carpet will really blend well into a minimal setting whilst creating a warm ambience. Do not be afraid of warm colours when trying to achieve a contemporary look, clinical is not what you are looking for. Generally speaking, it is best to avoid cream or off-white carpets as no matter how careful you are, they will show up any mark- you want to be comfortable not tip toeing all over the sitting room. If you must have a really light carpet, restrict its use to the bedrooms where you are usually barefoot anyway and can also be sure guests won’t be traipsing in and out. If you have children or a dog, you can still enjoy the comfort of carpeting whilst retaining a modern look, simply choice a darker shade. Plum, aubergine, slate, burgundy or even black are all really up-to-the-minute shades that will allow for a few mishaps.

Wooden flooring is probably the favourite of British homeowners at the minute, and not without reason. A wooden floor really does add something indefinable to a space. It natural and comforting and brings a real sense of history and timelessness. Yet at the same time is still amongst the most contemporary and urban chic flooring opting on the market. Available in so many variations it is extremely versatile- a dark oak or mahogany floor will help create some classic British stateliness, whereas walnut or Bamboo creates a real youthful vibrancy. And it is not only the huge array of styles that makes a wooden floor so usable, it is also the unique blend of comfort and durability that means wood is possibly the only flooring material that can be used all over the house. Equally as at home in a light shade in the kitchen when paired up with simple trimmings like a cheap roller blind and chrome bar stools, as it is in a dark stain sitting under the ornate bay window curtains of a Georgian town house, wood really can do it all.

The final flooring must have for the home is tiling. Once restricted to the kitchen and the bathroom, the massive increase in tile variations over the last few years has meant they have began to pop up in less conventional places. This can only be a good thing as a lot of tiles on the market are far too beautiful to be hidden under the bathroom sink. A dark slate floor would provide the ultimate base to a chic minimal living room, and with it being a natural material, it actually won’t appear cold if paired with a big fluffy rug. Mosaic tiles are also a wonderful way to spice up a room. They are available in so many finishes and colours and create an amazing speckled effect on whatever surface they cover. A hallway is a really great place to experiment with tiling. Being the main thorough-fair in the home, it needs to have hard wearing flooring. It is also not a room you spend a lot of time in, so you can afford to add a little more colour than you might in the sitting room.

Terry Henman
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/flooring-fundamentals-698478.html

Second only to the walls in terms of surface area, the flooring in your home offers a real opportunity to make a large scale style statement. Unlike walls however, flooring has the added task of standing up to a lot of wear and tear. Finding a good balance is crucial to successful flooring.

Carpeting is currently making a huge comeback. A decade of laminate flooring has left us all yearning for a little comfort and warmth underfoot. Most people ditched their carpet in an effort to toe the minimal line, but today this really is unnecessary as a modern clutter free finish can still be achieved with carpets. The trick is to opt for the pattern free variety. A biscuit or oatmeal coloured carpet will really blend well into a minimal setting whilst creating a warm ambience. Do not be afraid of warm colours when trying to achieve a contemporary look, clinical is not what you are looking for. Generally speaking, it is best to avoid cream or off-white carpets as no matter how careful you are, they will show up any mark- you want to be comfortable not tip toeing all over the sitting room. If you must have a really light carpet, restrict its use to the bedrooms where you are usually barefoot anyway and can also be sure guests won’t be traipsing in and out. If you have children or a dog, you can still enjoy the comfort of carpeting whilst retaining a modern look, simply choice a darker shade. Plum, aubergine, slate, burgundy or even black are all really up-to-the-minute shades that will allow for a few mishaps.

Wooden flooring is probably the favourite of British homeowners at the minute, and not without reason. A wooden floor really does add something indefinable to a space. It natural and comforting and brings a real sense of history and timelessness. Yet at the same time is still amongst the most contemporary and urban chic flooring opting on the market. Available in so many variations it is extremely versatile- a dark oak or mahogany floor will help create some classic British stateliness, whereas walnut or Bamboo creates a real youthful vibrancy. And it is not only the huge array of styles that makes a wooden floor so usable, it is also the unique blend of comfort and durability that means wood is possibly the only flooring material that can be used all over the house. Equally as at home in a light shade in the kitchen when paired up with simple trimmings like a cheap roller blind and chrome bar stools, as it is in a dark stain sitting under the ornate bay window curtains of a Georgian town house, wood really can do it all.

The final flooring must have for the home is tiling. Once restricted to the kitchen and the bathroom, the massive increase in tile variations over the last few years has meant they have began to pop up in less conventional places. This can only be a good thing as a lot of tiles on the market are far too beautiful to be hidden under the bathroom sink. A dark slate floor would provide the ultimate base to a chic minimal living room, and with it being a natural material, it actually won’t appear cold if paired with a big fluffy rug. Mosaic tiles are also a wonderful way to spice up a room. They are available in so many finishes and colours and create an amazing speckled effect on whatever surface they cover. A hallway is a really great place to experiment with tiling. Being the main thorough-fair in the home, it needs to have hard wearing flooring. It is also not a room you spend a lot of time in, so you can afford to add a little more colour than you might in the sitting room.

Terry Henman
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/flooring-fundamentals-698478.html

Located in Uptown right on San Felipe. Several floor plans to choose from, including a 2/2 with study option. Pet friendly community, gated parking garage where you park on the same level you live on. Apartment features include wood flooring, kitchens with slab granite, tile back splash, under cabinet lighting and stainless appliances. Several floor plans are available with a built in desk. Washer and dryer are included in every apartment. Amenities include: Resort style pool, two-level fitness center, business center with wifi, printer and fax. We LOVE the staff here they take excellent care of the residents!!

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Ask This Old House 7×26 (3/3) Leaky PVC Drain Trap / Installing Bamboo Flooring

Downloads for this can be found here:
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The Official Site can be found here:
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This spacious three bedroom three bathroom single family home is located in the quaint neighborhood of Woodridge Estates in Clearwater, Florida. Situated on a corner lot, this single story home features beautiful details throughout including new custom oak cabinetry in the kitchen and dining room, ceramic tile and new bamboo flooring, and French doors that lead to a separate den.

An open foyer leads to the large living room and separate den. The spacious kitchen has been upgraded with all new Kenmore appliances including refrigerator, dishwasher, microwave, and range. Accessible from the kitchen is the large dinning room with built-in computer niche and backyard access.

A hall leads to two guest bedrooms, a full guest bathroom and the beautiful master suite with large closet, attached bathroom and bamboo flooring. A full laundry room is located off of the garage and features a washer, dryer, sorting table, drying shelves, additional storage, wash basin, and additional bathroom.

The large fenced-in backyard is an excellent accent to this Clearwater home. Privacy fence, mature trees, tree house and low maintenance landscaping makes this yard a wonderful Florida retreat. The house also features a storage shed and private cement pad ideal for boat or RV parking.

This exquisite home in Pinellas County is located outside of flood zones and includes hurricane shutters and a new Genex 18KW propane generator capable of generating two weeks of electricity for the entire house. The home is located just minutes from ample shopping and dining and fifteen minutes from the pristine Clearwater beaches. State Road 60 allows for an easy commute through out Clearwater and Tampa.

Sarah Noreikas| Real Estate Specialist
Julie Weston| Real Estate Specialist

SI Real Estate | Global Real Estate In Every Way

Sarah.SIRealestate@gmail.com
Julie.SIRealestate@gmail.com

813-631-5144 Office Line
813-389-4451 Direct Line for Sarah
813-382-4001 Direct Line for Julie

www.SIRealEstateInvestments.com

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UofL sophomore Anna Roeder lives in the only “green” residence room on campus, located in Louisville Hall. The Michigan native belongs to a green committee formed by the university’s housing office to promote sustainable living in residence halls across campus.
The room has bamboo flooring, a renewable resource more durable than wood. It has walls covered with natural clay that helps repel dust and insulate against heat and noise.
Students in Jamie Horwitz’s sustainable architecture course designed the room as a class project last spring. Blaine Hudson, dean of UofL’s College of Arts & Sciences came up with a $5,000 grant for the project.

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Ask This Old House 7×26 (2/3) Leaky PVC Drain Trap / Installing Bamboo Flooring

Downloads for this can be found here:
http://diytvfan.blogspot.com/

The Official Site can be found here:
http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/tvprograms

Duration : 0:8:21

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My husband and I are remodeling are downstairs. We’re putting in light bamboo hard wood floors. Currently, our kitchen cabinets are maple. We were thinking of making them black cabinets with some glass inter-lays to contrast the light flooring. We also chose a tannish colored granite (we wanted something very neutral). Do you think the black cabinets are a trend or do you think this will still look good when we go to sell the house 5-10 years from now?

When I was small one night my mom served dinner on her best china. It was not an exceptional dinner it was meat loaf or something else mundane. When we questioned her on it she said. "I love these dishes. I want to enjoy them more then just the holidays. They make me happy." After that she pulled the dishes and the good silver out at least 2 times a week.

I learned a lesson from that. Do what makes you happy. Enjoy your kitchen for what you want. In 1825 days or 4000 days from now let the next person decide what will make them happy.

You could have the most impressive kitchen in the world and it may not suit someone else. What will sell is neat and clean and functional.

I just installed a click-lock floating floor in my living room, but I’m not sure what transition to use for an unusual feature. My living room has a small section near the fireplace (about 12′ x 10′) that is 6" lower than the rest of the room. I installed the flooring up to the edge of the upper level and the edge of the lower level (minus expansion gap) and plan to cover the riser by glueing flooring boards horizontally to it. My question is: what transition pieces should I use to transition from the upper flooring to the riser? A regular bullnose transition is not tall enough to hide the gap between the upper flooring and the top of the board that I will glue to the riser. I was thinking of an "L" shaped piece to cover the gap, but I haven’t seen this type of transition for sale anywhere. I would prefer a wood transition that matches my carbonized bamboo floor, but other materials might be OK. Your ideas are appreciated!

I install flooring and have found that a lot of the companies do not have a big variety when it comes to transition strips.Usually it is three or four different kinds.
I run into situations like yours quite often and a lot of times I will go to a lumber yard and they will have a lot of trim pieces to choose from.Pick out what best suits my situation and then find some stain to match what I am installing.
That is where I would start.