Benefits Of Bamboo Flooring

Bamboo flooring is a beautiful alternative to hardwood. This type of flooring is becoming very popular for its decorative value and because it is one of the most environmentally friendly materials currently used. Major manufacturers, such as Armstrong flooring, Columbia flooring and Mohawk flooring offer a bamboo product.

Some types of hardwood; Be mindful of the seams between the hardwood planks. Wide seems and gaps will collect crumbs which may be cleaned via shop vac, but heaven forbid something sticky gets down in the cracks. If you are looking at hardwood for the kitchen, choose hardwood that goes together with the smallest seams possible.Floors can be made of solid bamboo or be an engineered product. This means the bamboo is combined with another type of wood. Most often, engineered materials contain a bamboo surface with a plywood core. The bamboo can be stained and given a coat of urethane, as you would with any other hardwood.If you are working with hardwood floors, that you are worried about damaging, you can try to remove the adhesive and remaining backing with a hair dryer or heat gun. Try a test area such as in the pantry. Simply use the hair dryer to heat up the adhesive and then scrape it. Make sure you are not scraping against the grain of the wood. As this method will result in hot and sticky debris make sure you have a heat resistant container ready for the clean up. If you choose to use a heat gun make sure you do not apply to much heat and burn the wood. As always, it is best to work in a small section, applying the heat in a moving motion versus static and scraping each area as you go.The best tip when removing linoleum is to work in small sections. You can cut the linoleum in workable sized strips or squares as you go and then peel them off. Not only will you remove the majority of the surface layer of linoleum but it will assist you in getting to the adhesive as well. You can further attack the adhesive using a paint scraper or razor blade scraper. The razor blades ones will work much easier just keep in mind when working with hard adhesive or on concrete floors you will likely go through several blades.Bamboo is nearly as strong as steel. It is much stronger than any other material used in discount wood flooring. This durability makes bamboo perfect for use on floors. It is stronger than linoleum flooring and more comfortable to walk on than stone flooring. The weight, feel and density of this material are nearly the same as real hardwood.If you prefer not working with chemicals a low cost method of adhesive removal involves just boiling water. You can pour the boiling water directly on the remaining adhesive, in small sections, allow it to set a bit, and then proceed with scraping it.What selections work best in the kitchen:Remove dust and dirt with a broom or dust mop. You can clean the floor using a water and vinegar solution containing 4 parts water to 1 part vinegar. To do this, use a barely damp sponge mop. Dry the floor right away with a towel. Don�t allow the floor to become soaking wet, as this can damage the bamboo.Bamboo Flooring: Environmentally Friendly

Use a damp cloth for occasional spills or sticky spots. After you wipe up the spill, dry it with a towel right away. If the floor becomes dull, you can buff it with a buff sander to restore the shine. With proper care, your new floor will last for many years to come.

Author: Ken Morris