| Bamboo floors, clothing, furniture, even towels! If | | | | don't off-gas like other flooring products. The |
| you haven't heard the bamboo buzz by now, you | | | | manufacturing process uses fewer chemicals than |
| have to wonder where you've been. This fast | | | | traditional flooring and the product requires fewer |
| growing grass (one of fastest growing plants on | | | | chemicals for maintenance. This makes it a good |
| the planet, in fact) is being touted as the miracle | | | | choice if someone in your household suffers from |
| material for its renew ability; its ability to resist | | | | allergies or chemical sensitivities. And it's a great |
| mold, bugs and water; and its natural anti fungal | | | | tidbit for cocktail parties... seriously. |
| and antibacterial properties. Found all around the | | | | This flooring also gets top marks for strength and |
| world, there are about 1000 different species of | | | | durability. Made from robust species of Chinese |
| bamboo growing in East Asia, northern Australia, | | | | bamboo, strips are dried, processed into a |
| India, Africa and from South Eastern America | | | | layered, laminated, product which meets or |
| down to Argentina and Chile. Although American | | | | exceeds the performance of traditional woods like |
| consumers are quickly developing an appetite for | | | | maple and oak. |
| this versatile foliage, we're still way behind Asia | | | | Bamboo floors are extremely resilient as well - |
| where the plant is used as a food source, | | | | they bounce back upon impact and are less likely |
| scaffolding, paper, fishing rods and charcoal. | | | | to dent. This quality makes them easier on your |
| One of the biggest uses in North America, and | | | | knees and back - perfect for spontaneous |
| certainly an area of growing popularity, is bamboo | | | | dancing. It also means the floor won't need |
| flooring. These floors are a selling point in any | | | | refinishing as often as traditional flooring. |
| home because, besides their aesthetic qualities, | | | | Bamboo is inherently water resistant, which is |
| they bring a number of benefits to your | | | | enhanced through the lamination process. This |
| residence. | | | | gives it an anti-warping quality that makes it ideal |
| Environmental features are a rising trend with | | | | for areas where traditional hardwoods and |
| today's savvy home buyer, and bamboo floors | | | | laminates shouldn't be used, like basements, |
| are both green and gorgeous. Choosing bamboo | | | | bathrooms, laundry rooms, and kitchens. Bamboo |
| flooring saves trees, literally! Bamboo is renewable: | | | | floors are a great way to transform your |
| some of the larger species can grow more than a | | | | basement before a sale! Give that dank space a |
| meter a day, and this grass can be harvested | | | | bright, clean new look. |
| every three to five years, leaving traditional | | | | And for those of you who were wondering - it's |
| forests intact (hardwood trees can take 60 to 80 | | | | also easy to care for - just spin a dust mop or |
| years or more to mature). | | | | damp cloth across the surface, and you're done! |
| Most bamboo floors are low-VOC, meaning they | | | | Just one more reason to choose bamboo. |