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By now, you have probably seen the explosion in bamboo's popularity and use. Bamboo flooring, in particular, is attracting much attention. From hotel lobbies to home breakfast nooks, it is turning up everywhere. One reason for this wood's increased popularity is that it's one of the most easily renewable natural building materials available to us today.

What's great about bamboo?
The durability, style and environmental soundness. Almost everyone agrees that steps need to be taken to preserve the Earth and our environment. Bamboo and bamboo flooring offer an abundant alternative to traditional hardwood flooring, which typically comes from trees that take 30 - 150 years to grow to full harvesting size. Compare that to bamboo, which can be harvested from the same root stock every 5 -7 years.

What's not so great about bamboo?
Unfortunately, it's all imported. Right now, there are no growers in the United States. Most bamboo comes from China, with a small supply coming from Vietnam. Amazingly large areas of natural bamboo forests that are suitable for continual harvesting already exist. And so far, evidence indicates that harvesting bamboo in these forests has not disrupted or displaced any of the wildlife. The existence of these natural forests and the rapid rate of bamboo's growth make it unnecessary to create bamboo plantations, which would require developing large areas of land. Yet some companies are currently wiping out large areas of other natural forests to make way for the bamboo! A reputable dealer will be able to tell you where the wood originated so that you can select bamboo from natural forests.

Another concern is the glue used in manufacturing. There are two bonding agents used to make flooring: urea formaldehyde adhesives and EPI adhesives. Urea-based adhesives are less expensive and are used in much of the lower-cost flooring on the market. This glue offgasses much more than EPI adhesives, especially in higher humidity, and it will break down over time. Urea-based adhesives also don't perform as well, so more glue may be used in every board. That results in higher overall emissions than from flooring produced with EPI adhesives. You can ask to see testing results showing the formaldehyde emissions; this is also something a dealer should be able to share with you.

What am I looking for when I buy this product?

One thing to notice is the number and placement of knots. Boards with fewer knots are generally more aesthetically pleasing. Their placement on each board should be fairly regular. In lower-grade flooring, the boards have more knots. Frequently, the knots are arranged unevenly, making big clumps when the boards are laid out.

Color tone and consistency are two more things to look for. There are natural variations in the color of the wood, usually from pale blond to rich honey tones. When the wood is processed by carbonizing, it takes on a deep caramel color. The wood also takes stains well, allowing for a variety of additional shades. Inconsistent coloring is a sign of lower manufacturing standards. State-of-the-art production methods, controlled to very high standards, will result in a product that is incredibly durable and stable and has consistent, rich colors. All individual pieces of bamboo used to construct each board will fit together perfectly and will not show gaps or holes in the ends of the boards. Lower-quality flooring is obvious due to its uneven color and irregular graininess. Look for long, consistent grain patterns and rich colors. A beautiful, deep luster is usually clear evidence of superior finishing equipment, procedures and products.

How does bamboo flooring compare to other hardwood flooring?
Less expensive bamboo flooring is softer than high-quality bamboo flooring but still as dense as many other hardwoods. Strand woven bamboo is usually twice as hard as the lower-grade and generally even harder than red oak. Compared to other hardwoods, bamboo will fade less, the boards will not cup or buckle and they will barely expand or contract at all. If you choose to do the work yourself, installing a bamboo floor offers no more challenges than installing any other hardwood floor.

Though there are many methods for making bamboo flooring, the main difference for the consumer is often just the appearance of the finished product. But of the various techniques used, the strand woven procedure makes the hardest, most stable product. There is, as yet, no official grading system in place

for bamboo flooring. The generally accepted grades are B, A and 1A, from lowest to highest. You can expect to pay from $2 per square foot for the lowest-quality flooring to as much as $9 per square foot for higher grades in some parts of the country.

How do I care for my floor?
Most bamboo flooring has some form of a UV-resistant, water-based aluminum oxide finish, which makes cleaning as simple as mopping with warm water. Since the finish acts like a window through which you see the wood, you might also want to use a little white vinegar in this process for added clarity. Unless some sort of major damage occurs, your bamboo floor won't need to be refinished for decades.

Daniel Ehrlich has been in the building industry for over 10 years. He is also a professional race car driver and instructor. His father, who pioneered much of the early solar power technology, is his main influence for having developed a desire to find ways to make a difference in the world. Contact him at www.hawthornefloors.com.

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