Bamboo, A Hot Trend In Flooring

Bamboo is increasing its popularity as a superb flooring option in our ever more "green" way of looking at things. It may even be an understatement to say bamboo is an extraordinary plant. It is not really a wood, but yet has tremendous potential as a flooring resource. Bamboo is emerging as an alternative resource to other types of wood because of its strength and hardness.

Bamboo Not Wood?

Not being a wood product; then what is bamboo? Bamboo is a grass: a very tough form of grass, but a grass nevertheless. Bamboo is a plant, commonly grown in Asia, but found on almost every continent. Unlike a tree that must be felled before it can be used to manufacture floorboards or make a cabinet, bamboo is a grass that can re-grow after it has been harvested without the need to nurture a new plant. A re-grown plant is ready to harvest in, as short a time, as five years.

But A Wood Replacement?

Bamboo can be a viable replacement for standard hardwood floors. It is a great alternative because the unique, beautiful, appearance of bamboo is similar to wood flooring. It is also, one of the hardest "woods" in existence; harder than oak, even harder than maple. Bamboo thus becomes a serious alternative to other hardwoods. It achieves this durability by being more resistant to moisture, which makes it far more stable.

Where Does Its Strength Come From?

Bamboo flooring is not solid bamboo. It is made up of strips of material, which have been run through a machine, which splits and then sizes the product. The pieces then are laminated together into "solid" planking. Because it is a laminate product it has tremendous hardness and strength. When properly laminated the strength of bamboo approaches that of soft steel. It is any wonder then, the resistance to abrasion and indentation of bamboo is twice that of any similar woods?

Sure, But How Does It Look?

All that strength is great but how does it look? Because bamboo is a natural product, it possesses color variations. Bamboo flooring is subject to fading, so the bamboo must be kiln dried. After drying it is planed and sanded, then treated with a special UV coating to cut down on any fading. Still, as a natural flooring product, bamboo will experience some change of color. It is just a characteristic of any natural product.

Bamboo, The Green Alternative

Flooring can play such an important part in elevating the look of a house. Bamboo is no exception it is an excellent flooring material and so environmentally friendly. It can be a dream material for the environmentally conscious homeowner. Feng Shui uses bamboo to help achieve a positive, favorable energy. As a replacement for hardwood, bamboo can be at home just about anywhere, especially underfoot. It is a great product for floors Consider bamboo flooring when replacing the floors in your home.

Bamboo Flooring and Its Many Benefits

Bamboo flooring has indeed flourished as one of the better options for using hardwood flooring in residential homes and even commercial establishments. This may be attributed to the fact that it is actually more beneficial using the bamboo flooring than its counterparts.

It is originally made from a renewable source and what is more, it is truly very easy to set up, not to mention that it is very stylish. Definitely, installing such bamboo flooring provides not only durability but also some attractive and options that are environmentally friendly. In fact, you may use bamboo in your dining room and you will be assured to never experience warping like how many people experienced with their hardwood. Likewise, there is guaranteed no cracking on your floors, or incidences of getting splinters on your dining tables. Truly, there can be no more resilient a type of flooring than the bamboo. Here are some more tips to help you make up your mind on what is the best type of flooring to use for your home.

Environmental Benefits of Bamboo Flooring

It is definitely eco-friendly. Bamboos reach maturity much faster than the other hardwood trees which take decades to mature. What is more, roots of the bamboos never stop producing new trees even if they have just been recently harvested.

Bamboo Flooring Installation and Affordability

Another popular benefit of this is that you can expect that the prices are somewhat more stable than the other hardwood trees used for home renovations. Bamboo is less expensive compared to hardwood flooring and installation is so simple and easy as 1,2,3.

What is more, it will cost you less for the bamboo materials than setting up hardwood flooring; and to think installation charges of professional installers are just the same. Although, you will definitely save more if you install it all by yourself. You may do so over other types of materials like vinyl tiles, wood, or plywood.

The Many Varieties of Bamboo Floors

There is a wide assortment of bamboo types, finishes as well as the grades of bamboo flooring which are truly stylish and beautiful. While there may be some that are horizontal or vertical grains, there are also the naturally looking and those that have darker shades. Such options can be especially ordered and guaranteed to perfectly fit any style of home therefore, creating a genuinely unique look.

Durability

Bamboo flooring is usually laminated and blemished that makes it a point it fights off moisture. This is actually what makes it so ideal for the flooring of your bathrooms, dining rooms and kitchen areas, your family rooms, the laundry area and many other areas that might get too much moisture.

Quality Bamboo Floor

Most of all, it would be best to get some research on the different companies that offer bamboo flooring before finally plunging into any purchase. Definitely, you will want to purchase flooring which has been harvested for about five years or else they will be weaker. Make sure you get the warranty you deserve when buying your bamboo flooring to get the best buy ever.

Discovering the Benefits of Bamboo

Very few people know the true power and versatility of bamboo. Once thought of as just another landscaping grass, bamboo is quickly becoming a great alternative to wood products. There are over 1,500 types of bamboo available, though just over two percent of those types are currently being used as a material.

The Asians have utilized bamboo for centuries, used in their food, their shelter, and their daily life. Ancient Asians used bamboo as a paper product, created homes and furniture with dried bamboo, and even used it in soups. Yet, bamboo can be used for some much more.

When dried and treated, bamboo is a very rigid wood, which can be used in flooring for homes. While at times expensive, bamboo is a great alternative because it can so quickly be replenished in nature. Bamboo can hold up in most any element, which is why it was so valuable to the ancient civilizations of Asia. It's durability and strength makes bamboo an excellent choice for building material.

Bamboo is often seen in construction due to its rigidity and core strength. It is no wonder that previous generations in America used dried bamboo stalks as fishing poles. The bamboo stalks were durable enough to hold when a fish was hooked. Bamboo is still used in small towns across America, though western and European cultures comprehend its value beyond the every day fishing pole or wind chimes.

Since bamboo is a grass, it is a renewable resource. It needs very little room to grow, since certain varieties grow upwards to sixty feet. It generally takes weeks for the grass to grow back once harvested and continues to grow year round. It is these certain attributes that make bamboo quite beneficial to modern civilization.

However, if you are planning on adding bamboo to your current garden, it is advisable to do your homework first. Bamboo, while easy to maintain, can be tricky to remove from your land once it is planted, so make sure that you have the proper plant for your climate, garden and abilities. Once planted, all you will need to do is keep it watered regularly- after all, bamboo requires a great deal of water- and trim it to the appropriate length and width you desire. With over 1,500 varieties of bamboo available, it can get pretty tricky trying to find the perfect plant for your yard. This is why researching your grass is so important. There are varieties that have both clumpers and runners, then bamboo which have one or the other. Clumpers tend to grow outward, while runners grow upwards. Depending on your garden, you will need to decide which one is best suited for you.

The Chinese consider bamboo to be extremely lucky, so having this evergreen in your yard or home can bring much luck to your family. Though lucky bamboo is not traditionally bamboo, but more of a houseplant per se, it is still lucky. And anyone who has bamboo in their yard should consider himself or herself lucky, for they have planted one of nature's greatest grass and are giving back to the planet they love.

Is Bamboo Flooring Worth The Effort?

If you've noticed an increase in the prevalence of bamboo flooring advertisements then it's for very good reason. You see, bamboo flooring hasn't emerged as a popular alternative to other forms of floor coverings by accident. Consumers are being swayed to this natural and beautiful flooring type because it offers so many advantages over traditional types of floors.

Bamboo's Many Advantages

One of the biggest advantages of course is it's environmentally friendly and sustainable nature. Bamboo is a hardy plant and it's ability to regenerate in less than a year has earnt it a lot of "brownie points" with consumers. It provides the strength of a hardwood floor and it's added durable nature almost makes it a "no brainer" in today's day and age as the first choice for floor shoppers.

Bamboo flooring has gained momentum because of it's low maintainance requirements and this has a lot to do with it's natural qualities. Staining becomes a thing of the past particularly when you take into account that bamboo color is basically dependent on the length of time it spends in the "processing barn." Depending on how much traffic it has to endure, if the finish becomes worn and tired then a good sanding and re-finish is usually all that's required but again, this all depends on the level of use the floor is subjected to. In a normal situation, this won't be necessary for quite a few years.

Where To Shop

Shopping for bamboo flooring today becomes easier and easier. Once upon a time, consumers were usually required to rely on long distance browsing but today, more and more outlets have "jumped on the bamboo flooring bandwagon" and are offering consumers the opportunity to inspect this eco-friendly surface first hand. However, the internet still offers a great alternative to shoppers who haven't got access to first hand inspection and browsing online offers a multitude of sites ready to fulfil your needs.

Concentrating on the higher ranked sites should provide less cause for concern but one of the golden rules for shopping online in this instance is to make sure you can contact the seller directly. Phone would definitely be preferable. In many instances, online outlets are able to point you towards some reference points such as consumers who have bought from them previously and are willing to act as referees.

The Cost Factor

The cost of bamboo flooring is usually well within the budgets of most. While some offers of as low as $2 per square are available from some wholesalers make sure you ask for a written warranty with clear details written into it. Ready to install bamboo floors can cost up to $10 per square with installation an extra cost. Depending on your handyman skills, then the latter may not be a factor with a pre-finished floor but might require the services of a qualified installer if unfinished.

If you follow some well laid guidelines on shopping for bamboo flooring then there is no reason why it shouldn't provide you with many years of loyal service.

Bamboo Flooring For Your Home

While bamboo has been used for centuries in other parts of the world, it is just starting to gain popularity in the US as a flooring material. In the US, we associate bamboo with furniture, window treatments, mats, food, toothpicks, toys, wall coverings and a host of other things. Only recently, has bamboo been used as floor covering in the US.


Most of the bamboo flooring sold in the US comes from China and is of the Moso bamboo species. This species matures in three to five years. Bamboo is actually a grass and as such does not have to be replanted, but comes back from the root systems. It is used by a large part of the world as a main source of building materials. It generates more oxygen than a comparable stand of trees and can grow in many different climates. Because of the environmental aspects of bamboo, many people consider using bamboo a way of helping preserve our planet. However, there are issues to be considered when choosing bamboo flooring.


The softness of the flooring can be a drawback. If the bamboo is harvested too soon, the flooring produced will be soft and more easily marred. Most producers of bamboo flooring are overseas and do not necessarily have the types of quality standards and inspections that US manufacturers must adhere to. Most of the companies selling bamboo flooring in the US today import their material from manufacturers in China and the Far East. US companies carrying these types of flooring must scrutinize the quality of the product and manufacturing procedures. Some bamboo flooring is made with formaldehyde resins in the gluing process and do not meet the standards for indoor emissions of formaldehyde.


It is said that bamboo flooring can be made into any color. The darker material has to be carbonized and the darker the color the more carbonization has occurred. Carbonization occurs when heat is applied to the strips of bamboo. The more heat that is applied the softer the flooring material is. The closer to the light natural bamboo color, the harder the flooring material. If you are considering purchasing bamboo flooring, use the fingernail test on a sample to see how much of a mark is made when pushing the nail into the wood. You might want to compare bamboo to other flooring woods you may be considering.


There are several classes of engineered bamboo flooring including Horizontal and vertical flooring which indicates how the strips are glued and laminated together. The flooring planks of the vertical and horizontal method look different but are alike in installation. Both types can be glued, nailed or stapled but floating is not recommended. There is also a strand woven flooring which is harder but can present more installation challenges.

Tips For Cleaning Your Outdoor Bamboo Furniture

Bamboo furniture is a beautifully elegant accent to a home both indoors and out. Bamboo is actually a grass as opposed to a wood which is the reason it is much more pliable and stronger than any other wood. While most patio furniture requires little to no maintenance over time, the main concern for keeping up bamboo furniture is water exposure.

Water and any type of dampness increases the rotting and growth of mold. With bamboo, this extremely deteriorates the "wood" quality that is so often sought after. Although, very dry air can strip bamboo of all of its natural oils. Because of these demanding conditions, both varnished and unvarnished bamboos require some upkeep when it comes to maintaining their color, form, and durability. Refer to these eight tips to help you preserve the beauty and life of all of your bamboo furniture.

1. Keep water exposure to a minimum, especially with outdoor patio furniture.

2. Rub your furniture every month or two with linseed or other furniture oils to maintain the luster of the bamboo. For indoor furniture, apply a small amount on a regular basis cause low humidity can cause it to crack.

3. Using a cloth or sponge, wash your furniture. Just be sure that you do this after you dust, brush, and vacuum the surface ridding it of all harmful debris.

4. With mildly soapy water, clean unvarnished or varnished bamboos with a soft cloth. Wring out excess water and apply gently. Choose organic and natural soaps cause most detergents can discolor or damage the lovely sheen of bamboo.

5. Clean all stains and liquid spills to your bamboo immediately or it will set in permanently.

6. Avoid sitting on damp bamboo seats or any furniture that has been recently washed.

7. If mold develops, clean the area thoroughly with naturally soapy water. Remove all signs of growth with a rough sponge or brush and dry off the area completely.

8. If the weather or age has caused your bamboo to crack, gently sand the area with a fine grit sandpaper. After that you can smoothly apply paste wax over this area to recondition both the color and tone of the original material.

Bamboo Container Fountain - How to Design a Bamboo Container Fountain in 3 Easy Steps

A small container fountain may be added to any space, indoors or outdoors, to create tranquility and mild sounds of trickling water. All you need is a container, a small submersible pump, two spouts, vinyl hose tubing, and some other decorative elements of your choice.


A bamboo fountain is perfect for creating container fountains. Both structurally and aesthetically, bamboo fountain is your best choice when designing your own fountain. Since a bamboo spout is hollow, it is easy to pass the tubing through it, which makes the whole fountain design pretty easy.


Here are the three easy steps to design your own bamboo container fountain:


1. Set up the pump in the container. Attach a clear vinyl hose tube to the pump's outlet. Place the pump on the bottom of the rock with few rocks or river stones around it. River stones may be easily found at your local arts and crafts store. You may add a green bamboo plant as well to add some life to your fountain. Add the decorative elements to your container helps in hiding the obtrusive pump so that appearance of your container fountain is natural.


2. Install the tubing up the bamboo. Pass it through the hollow spout so that it comes out from the other end of the spout. Cut the excess tubing and attach another spout that stands horizontally. Attach the horizontal spout in such a way that the other end of it falls within the container. Doing so will ensure that the water does not spill out of the container.


3. Add the water to the container so the it is filled up enough to cover the pump. The water level needs to be slightly higher than the pump's edge. Plug in the pump and see if the water flows smoothly through the tubing. If the pump makes humming sound, it is an indication that you need more water or that the pump is not attached correctly. If the water flow is weak, consider getting a pump with higher GPH (gallons per hour rating). A typical water pump recirculates the water every two hours.


That's it! You have designed a beautiful bamboo fountain. This kind of bamboo fountain is known as Tsukubai bamboo fountain in traditional Japanese culture. It is mainly used outside of shrines and tea gardens as a purification agent, i.e. the visitors are supposed to wash their hands and rinse their mouth using a Tsukubai before entering the tea house and starting the social or religious ceremony.

4 Environmentally Friendly Benefits to Consider When Buying Bamboo Worktops

Many homeowners nowadays are looking to make their household greener and as environmentally friendly as possible. For some, the idea of fitting a kitchen wooden worktop will never seem like an environmentally friendly solution, however one type of wood in particular will allow homeowners to do just that. Despite common beliefs and perhaps misconceptions, Bamboo is a rapid growing grass and not wood at all, though when treated for domestic use it holds the same properties like any other wooden worktop in terms of durability, strength and stability.

Here Are 4 Environmentally Friendly Benefits To Consider When Buying Bamboo Worktops:

1. Sustainability - Unlike common types of trees, Bamboo is a rapid growing plant (second fastest growing plant in the world) which can grow back to full size and become suitable for harvesting again within 3-5 years, unlike 15-25 years for most trees. This growth rate makes bamboo worktop an environmentally responsible choice.

2. Limited Resources - In order to grow, Bamboo plants require very little resources in terms of water and do not require fertilizers or pesticides for a successful crop. Its low maintenance attributes means it can naturally grow in rural areas as well as in renewable project areas.

3. Oxygen Replenishment - Bamboo are known to release a significant amount of oxygen into the atmosphere (more than trees). In doing so they contribute to lowering the amount of carbon dioxide in the air.

4. Eco-System Support - In addition to requiring very few resources to grow, Bamboo are also known to flourish in hard conditions drought-like areas thereby providing support to other animals and plants.

Bamboo Flooring - Environment Friendly Option

Bamboo Flooring is the best way to provide a natural appearance to the home, as this alternative is very environmental friendly. Bamboo is nature gift to man that can be for many purposes. Nowadays, bamboo has become a good alternative for people, as it can be used to manufacture various decorative items. People are now changing their reviews about Hardwood flooring and laminate flooring. Majority of them are now opting for bamboo flooring due to its environmental origins and ever increasing ecological advantage. This is not the only reason for the bamboo floors to become the foremost choice of people, but it also looks very soft and soothing to eyes which offer a great feeling in itself.


Advantages of Bamboo Flooring

Bamboo flooring is becoming more popular due to its nature friendly character. It is the best alternative in place of hardwood flooring as it can handle more pressure than hardwood floors and is much flexible than other floors. Moreover, the main advantage of bamboo flooring is that these floors are natural insect repellants. There are several types of minute insects that make their habitats inside the wood and can prove to be dangerous for the health of people, especially children.

Bamboo floors can be very useful in getting relived in summer evenings and from humidity. So, these are widely used in the areas where humidity content and temperature is higher. This is a natural advantage of bamboo flooring, but apart from this it does not shrinks or swells like other wooden floors. Bamboo flooring leaves no holes or gaps which is helpful in high humidity areas. Several designers are getting fond of this type of flooring due to its unique style, availability and durability. There are two dissimilar variations available with 30 different colors. It can be installed in any type of room and can be used to enhance the interior.


How to protect Bamboo Floors?

There are several ways to protect floors from getting damaged. People should care for their bamboo floors in order to get the best reward from natural gift. One should not allow dust, grit and dirt to enter into the home. Dust in the soles of shoes can be dangerous for bamboo floors but one should keep the wipe mats outside the room to avoid any type of dirt particles. Regularly sweeping with soft broom can be helpful in making the floor shining and clean.

High heels can cause a great damage to the floor, so it is recommended that one should avoid the entrance of high heels or heavy shoes, it can cause dents or damage to the floor. Protective pads placed beneath the base of chair or table to avoid any damage or breaks. One should change their heavy furniture continuously in order to evade discoloration of floor. There are various cleaning products available that are especially made for bamboo floors which can be used to get best results. Direct sunlight can cause heavy damage and may lead to discoloration of these floors. Spills should be cleaned immediately as they are almost impossible to remove after a long delay.

How to Build Bamboo Fencing

Bamboo fencing is an Eco-friendly alternative to wooden fencing. As a bamboo plant grows almost 12 times faster than a tree, which we use for wood, it is easy to replenish them. Not only does a bamboo fencing look great, but it is very durable also. Bamboo fences can be used for screening purposes too. The best thing about this type of fencing is, you can build it all by yourself using a few simple tools. You can be really creative with bamboo and create various designs. Below, I have described how you can build a really nice bamboo fence for your garden or house.

Buy The Material

First take a measurement of the length of your fencing. Contact a dealer and request him to help you choose the suitable bamboos for fencing purposes. He may also help your to decide how many unit your will require.

Preparation

You can sharpen one end of the bamboos after keeping aside a few to use as pillars and cross supports. You can color all bamboos or have them polished. However, the natural color of bamboos also looks quite nice. It is better to color the bamboos now rather than after you finish your bamboo fencing.

Set up pillars

Dig 1.5 to 2' deep holes on the ground after every 2 meters where you are going to set up your fence. Now insert the pillar bamboos in these holes and fill the rest of the hole with soil to make the pillars stand firmly on the ground. Make sure that the heads of all pillars are on the same level.

Set up the fence

Now dig smaller holes to set up the other sharpened end closely one after the other. Tie the bamboos firmly with each other by a long rope. These ropes have to be very strong.

Cross-support

Cut a bamboo lengthwise into two halves to use as the cross supports. Now attach these cross supports with nails across the fencing. You can attach two horizontal cross supports one close to the ground and the other one close to the top of the fence. Your bamboo fencing is now ready.

Natural Bamboo Window Blinds - An Exotic Choice For Window Treatments

Have you ever driven down the street and just had to turn your car around and head back to look at those windows in that house again? The windows of a house are the first thing that people notice about your house. On that same note, when was the last time someone walked into your home and complimented your window blinds? Probably very few times, if any at all. Mostly your furniture is envied, your rugs are admired, the coffee table is asked about and your wall paintings are conversation starters. Do not leave your windows out in the cold; they also deserve the attention every other detail in your home gets. When you start your next decorating project, look into natural bamboo blinds for your windows.


The next time you are invited and go to a house party, noticed the main gathering places will always be beside the windows. Chances are these windows drew that crowd for a very good reason. If you look closer, you might see beautiful natural bamboo blinds. Even standing by themselves, these bamboo blinds are a party pleasure.


The windows of a house are the soul of the home. Expressive window treatments, shades, and window blinds are like shadows and light diffusers for your windows. This play of light and shadows uses the subtle tones of natural bamboo window blinds to play up the beauty of each window. This is where window blinds can enhance the beauty of your windows without breaking your budget. Natural bamboo window blinds are valued for their beauty and their durability.


The sky is the limit when it comes to the choice of hues, sizes, textures and materials a person can pick to decorate their windows with. For extra privacy and added beauty, blinds have always been the top choice. Natural bamboo window blinds can replace vinyl blinds and aluminum blinds, to make your rooms a study in the perfection of nature.


Bamboo blinds are very affordable, with durable beauty that makes your rooms come alive with character and personality. Natural bamboo is actually not a wood, but a reed grass that is used in many furnishings, including floors for its strength and durability. Just as people decorate their homes with natural furnishings and floors, they will time and time again, come back to the beauty of natural bamboo window blinds to enhance the value and character of their windows.

How To Make Bamboo Flooring Your Next Renovation Choice!

Does bamboo flooring have a future or is it just a passing fad which will capture the imagination of consumers for a short period and then fade away into oblivion? Well, indications are bamboo flooring isn't just becoming popular but it's on the verge of a substantial growth curve over the next decade as people realise it's many benefits.

Still relatively new to the flooring market, bamboo is positioned to cause a revolution in building products because of it's safe and beneficial environmental aspects. Society has gradually begun to think green in recent years; is it because of well placed propanganda or is it because people are finally starting to realise that our planet is disintergrating under the constant abuse of it's resources and both aerial and grouind pollutants.

Bamboo Flooring's Market Share

As far as it's impact on the flooring market is concerned, bamboo is still a minnow; currently, it's share of the flooring industry is well under 5% but indications are this figure is set to explode during the next 20 years.

Apart from it's significant environmental qualities, bamboo offers customers a touch of elegance and a uniqueness which is hard to find in other flooring products. It's undoubted durability and toughness make it a fierce and worthy competitor to some of the strongest and best known hardwood products on the market today, plus it's appeal to consumers price wise adds further "brownie points" to it's appeal factor.

The Preparation Aspect

Bamboo is prepared in such a way before it's made available to the buying public so it's qualities are never diminished.

Derived from the stalk of the plant, bamboo flooring is built from bamboo strips and undergoes a rigorous preparation once it is harvested. For example, processing involves boiling the strips in a special preparation which acts to not only get rid of any insects or bugs which may still be in the plant but it also eliminates impurities which may produce an unsightly look.

Moisture is then reduced to a minimal level and further treatment follows before it's final treatment application. The end product is then ready for the market.

Be A Prudent Shopper!

You might be sold on bamboo flooring up to this point but the same rules of due diligence apply when shopping for it. while seeing the product first hand is always best, the internet has opened up the customerr to more consumer choice. However, the usual double checking should take place if you are shopping online such as being satisfied you are dealing with a reputable online supplier. Always check to see if the supplier is contactable by phone, not just email.

When you are satisfied everything is above board ask for samples. Here's a tip... really be specific about the color you want. Often with bamboo flooring, what you see in an image online will not be what eventually arrives on your door step. The warranty is doubly important. Bamboo flooring is promoted as being tough and durable, yet easy on the eye. You should be seeking a minimum 20 year warranty with lifetime warranties not uncommon. One more thing, be specific about shipping costs and if you need to pay, always ask how much!

Bamboo flooring is making a noise in the home improvement
world and will continue to spread it's roots throughout the building industry. It's simply a naturally pleasing product.

Why Choose Bamboo for Your Next Flooring Project?

If you've been searching for a new floor covering recently you may well have come across bamboo flooring. Although a relative newcomer to the flooring scene, bamboo floors are rapidly becoming a favored consumer choice. The reasons for its popularity are many, so read on to discover why you might want to choose bamboo too!

Everyone knows that bamboo is actually a grass, but most people are surprised to hear that its strength surpasses that of some of the typical hardwoods used in flooring manufacture. It also has a number of very similar visual characteristics, can be milled in much the same way as timber and is therefore easily formed into planks just like hardwood floors are.


- An Earth Friendly Option

Nowadays, consumers are more frequently looking to make "Green" home improvements. Bamboo flooring has become a favored option in this regard and has proven itself as a viable and environment friendly alternative to a hard wood floor. With bamboo, there is no need to fell vast areas of centuries old forests and jungles to obtain timber for manufacturing. Bamboo is instead harvested from enormous groves located throughout Asia, where it grows in abundance, and once a bamboo pole is cut it will regenerate itself to again reach maturity within an extremely rapid three to five years.


- Choices Galore

To serve this ever-growing sector of the flooring market, numerous manufacturers, such as Envirochoice, Panda Lumber, Ming Dynasty and Westhollow now produce bamboo flooring in a wide array of stunning color shades and hues including Natural, Carbonized and Dark. To suit those with different visual tastes, grain orientations like Vertical or Horizontal are available in addition to hand scraped planks that display an even more characteristic look. Installation options include nail down for permanent installations or floating planks with snap lock joints that are ideal for those that prefer the Do-It-Yourself approach to installing their floor.


- A Floor That Pays for Itself

Another attraction to bamboo flooring is its price. Although bamboo shares an appearance that is similar to some expensive wooden floorings, it won't cost you anything near what a hardwood floor does. With prices starting at a very affordable $2.00 per square foot, bamboo is certainly an option worthy of further consideration.

Wooden floors have been proven to help increase the value of a home, and bamboo is no exception in this regard. In many instances, bamboo flooring can actually be considered as a purchase that will see a return on investment if the property should be sold. Not selling? Don't worry, you'll have one of the best looking floors in the neighborhood, as well as one that looks a million dollars!

Owners need never worry about bamboo flooring standing the test of time either. Warranties of 25 years are common, and even a Lifetime Warranty is provided by some manufacturers.

With so many great things going for it, isn't time you thought about moving bamboo to the top of your list of flooring choices!

Bamboo Fountains: Creating Your Own Tropical Paradise

While the thought of creating bamboo fountains may seem a bit challenging, doing so is surprisingly simple, and can requires only a few items available at any home improvement retailer like Home Depot or Lowe's. In no time, you can build strikingly attractive bamboo fountains to grace your home's interior for years.


Parts For Your Bamboo Fountains

Bamboo fountains can be built from parts easily obtained wither online or from a home garden or hardware supplier. The most important components of bamboo fountains, or any fountains, for that matter, are the fountain pumps. Look for the fountain pumps' gph, or gallon-per-hour-ratings on their boxes, and select one with a lower rating if you prefer a soothing flow of water to a more energetic one.

You should next look for half-inch tubing with which to connect the pumps for your bamboo fountains. Because tubing is so inexpensive, you should go ahead and buy twice what you think you will actually use, to be on the safe side.

Then find a waterproof container. You can get an inexpensive flower pot made of waterproof terra cotta, but try to find ones with no drainage holes; otherwise you will have to seal them. Terra cotta containers come in several sizes, so you will have plenty to work with.

Finally, choose your bamboo which is also available in several sizes. You should cet at least tow different sizes; three-quarter and two inch widths would be a good choice but whatever sizes you choose should be large enough to cover the water spouts on the pumps for your bamboo fountains. Get pieces of bamboo which are about three feet long, and make sure you have a hand saw to trim them as needed. You'll also need raffia, decorative gravel or rocks, and wire mesh screen.

Assembling Your Bamboo Fountains

To assemble your bamboo fountains, begin by sealing any drainage holes in your containers with cork covered with a waterproof adhesive. While that dries, trim your bamboo canes to lengths of about fifteen inches, and drill a hole into some of the canes so that they will hold the nozzles of your bamboo fountains' pumps. Next, use raffia to lash enough pieces of bamboo together so that they will completely conceal the pumps.

Then place pieces of your wire mesh over the bases of your pumps, by cutting it in circles the diameter of the bases of your containers. Place the pumps into the pots, covering them with the gravel or rocks, and inserting the nozzle of the pumps into the bamboo canes which you have drilled. By tipping that bamboo cane into another one, you will cause the water to cascade and produce a waterfall. Pour your water in, and as your bamboo fountains come to life, you'll get the first glimpse of the lasting beauty they will add to your home!

Bamboo garden fountains are equally suited to interior or exterior décor, and are particularly popular among practitioners of the discipline of feng shui. Although the use of bamboo garden fountains originated in Asia, their grace and beauty have led to wide their wide adoption by homeowners and decorators all over the globe. There are bamboo garden fountains perfect for any decorating theme.

Bamboo Flooring is a Great Home Option

It may sound a little funny, but it's true. For those who want eye-popping, incredible floors, bamboo is an option that should be taken seriously. No, we're not talking woven together sticks here, either. Good bamboo flooring is a beautiful as any hardwood and comes in as many varieties and styles if not more. Plus, it offers some advantages other products cannot.

Unlike the woven bamboo mats most people think of when bamboo flooring is mentioned, newer products using bamboo have come into the marketplace recently. These flooring types involve the transformation of plain bamboo stalks into a very smooth flooring product that comes in a huge variety of colors and styles. When laid, it resembles any other type of wood flooring, but comes with a large laundry list of advantages over plain oak, maple or pine.

Produced in a similar fashion as hardwood, bamboo comes in short strips, planks and even tiles. It's installed basically the same way any other flooring is, too. It can take on many different colors and designs, too. But the icing on the cake though is the fact bamboo is known not only for looking good, but also for its ability to hold up under some major traffic. These advantages combine to make bamboo perfect for homes, offices and other settings where beauty and an ability to stand up to traffic are needed.

Bamboo has a number of advantages over other types of flooring. Here are some of the main ones:

* Weather tolerance: Unlike traditional hardwoods, bamboo can handle humidity and moisture changes like a champ. It's ability to withstand water without expanding or contracting gives it a distinct advantage over other kinds of wood flooring that can be destroyed by water. It's even considered more stable than oak. * Hardness quality. When properly crafted, bamboo flooring is considered harder than maple and even oak. This adds to its ability to withstand years and years of traffic. * Durability. Bamboo's unique properties make it stain, scratch and fade resistant. Plus, it stands up to serious traffic and more. The toughness of the product helps it resist things that can destroy regular wood floors and especially carpeting. This means less of a need for replacement, which means a huge cost savings over the long run. * Great for those with allergies. Unlike carpets, bamboo doesn't hold in dust and dirt. This can help keep a home a bit more allergen free, which is great news for those who suffer from allergies. * Environmental: Trees are not cut down to create bamboo floors. Bamboo grows, literally, like weeds in numerous locations around the world. It is able to reproduce and grow quickly, which means the supply is more prevalent and forests don't have to be destroyed to make a floor. * Maintenance. Considering its natural properties, it's easy to see this flooring is simple to care for. It can be vacuumed just like a carpet or dusted with any spills wiped up.

Bamboo flooring is not a new concept, but recent advances in making it have added this flooring option to the mainstream. Considering its advantages, it is worth major consideration when new flooring is needed. Few products can come close to comparing with the benefits bamboo offers.

Bamboo Furniture, is it for You

The thought of bamboo furniture conjures up images of beach houses and squeaky chairs for most people, does it for you? Don't worry, you are not alone in that thought, but with the popularity of bamboo as a commercial and industrial product, the bamboo furniture of yore is slowly becoming more fashionable and comfortable.

Though many believe bamboo to be a tree, it is actually a grass. Yes, it is a grass and a large grass at that. There are several varieties that can encompass vast amounts of land and can grow upwards to eighty feet tall; the more common types used for furniture range in diameter from two inches to seven. While it grows quickly, it does take up to seven years for the bamboo to thoroughly dry out and harden for furniture production.

However, compared to its hard wood cousin that takes around six decades to mature into a size worth harvesting, bamboo is still a better and quicker alternative. Despite being a grass species, bamboo is just as strong as any tree when harvested and treated.

While you may want that beach feeling on your patio or sun room, most people want a stylish, yet comfortable look to their decor. Yes, there are still those Tiki hut styled furniture sets still out there, so don't worry. You can still build your island oasis off your backyard swimming pool with furniture that looks island authentic; but for those homeowners hoping to add environmentally friendly, eco-centric furniture to their household, welcome to the new world of bamboo furniture.

Bamboo furniture has transitioned well from the old versions, becoming much more refined as the years have gone on. Since bamboo is popular, many companies are invested much more time and energy into incorporating this sturdy, hard wood alternative into their repertoires.

But first, prior to purchasing your new furniture, do some homework. Do not just trust the first product you see. It may not be made of real bamboo, but a plastic press made to look like bamboo. If you are looking for the real thing, research. There are ample amounts of web sites that host bamboo furniture, in different styles, shapes, colors. You can get an entire room suite or just that one piece you have been looking for over the years.

Most individual homeowners will put bamboo style furniture on their back porch, as it feels more like an outdoor style, but bamboo can be utilized indoors as well. Go crazy, think outside the box! You do not have to have bamboo furniture outside; you can bring the island oasis indoors if you want. It is completely up to you and your design ideas.

Bamboo is so versatile that it can be produced in just about every color imaginable and any style, shape or size you desire. All you have to do is research and scout out the different types of bamboo furniture made. Remember, bamboo is pest resistant, so wherever it goes, you will not have to worry about little bugs destroying your new furniture.

Bamboo Flooring Will Make Your Home A Home

Bamboo might seem like a wood, but it actually belongs to the grass family and is one of the rapid growing species in the world. Bamboo flooring is now becoming common among many countries because of its diverse advantages. In view of the fact that bamboo is eco-friendly, it can adjust to the changing environments anywhere in the world. The special attribute of bamboo is that it can lower the intensity of light and can protect us from ultra violet rays. Hence bamboo can also be called as an atmospheric and soil purifier. Bamboo flooring could be found common in an average sparkling honey brown shade or in light tan normal shade. People nowadays are changing their hardwood flooring to bamboo flooring because of its attractive color, design and other price advantages.


If you are a person interested in making your home to look natural, then bamboo flooring is the best and the cost effective choice. Bamboo floorings are available in different lengths and could be purchased either in the market or online. The dealers who are selling bamboo flooring these days are also giving option for you to select the best design to shape on your flooring. Since bamboos are flexible they are also used to make both aesthetic items and other pleasing decorative items that are environment friendly. Hence to prevent the increasing environmental issues bamboo floorings would be the ideal choices that are now available to decorate homes or business places. The days of using traditional hardwood flooring is becoming extinct nowadays, because of these bamboo floorings.


Just like buying branded and durable bamboo flooring is vital, maintaining bamboo floorings is also very essential. Bamboo floorings don't require frequent usage of polishers and other cleaning solutions like other hardwood floorings. In general, the color of the bamboo flooring is directly proportional to the amount of time required to process it. It is advisable not to install bamboo floorings, in bathrooms or in other areas of your home and office. Since these areas are prone to dampness, the bamboo flooring could be easily deformed or damaged. When buying bamboo floorings and hardwood floorings it could be witnessed in some cases that the bamboo floorings would cost less compared to other floorings. The labor cost can also be found almost the same. As the installation techniques are almost the same for hardwood flooring as well as bamboo flooring, it is relatively easy and it could be seen that most of the hardwood flooring installing experts have now started to install bamboo flooring too.


Bamboo has become one of the hottest trends among Americans and European nowadays. Soon it is expected to become the common flooring across the globe. It has also started captivating the hearts of millions because of its beauty, durability and eco friendly nature.

Bamboo Flooring for a Negotiable Bamboo Flooring Prices

If you are planning on a total make-over for your house and in the process changing its flooring
, you can have a lot of options to choose from. You can completely change the material of your existing tile or you may just change the color of your tiles only. But then, you might think of trying bamboo flooring
instead. Bamboo floors are so far the highly recommended material in today’s home furnishing
industry. They are created out of a bamboo plant and the product has originated from some parts of Asia, but most often, they come from China. “Moso” is the common specie of bamboo that is used for flooring.



Bamboo floorings are of different forms and depending on its variety will be the corresponding bamboo flooring prices. Each of the bamboo flooring varies in terms of its manufacturing process. Aside from this, they may also differ primarily on where and how it is being marketed. Bamboo flooring prices is totally dependent on its origin, as well as the quality of the bamboo itself.



In the Southeast Asia, the bamboo flooring comes from thin bamboo stems which are cut into a flat form. The bamboos are cut as flat as possible and they are cut into uniform lengths. This type of bamboo flooring can be used as is, with its natural color, or it may also be stained, dyed or varnished. The bamboo flooring of this type is usually nailed to bigger bamboo stems or to wooden beams, resulting in more spaces in between the bamboo flooring. This is recommended for use on stilted houses, for a better circulation of air, especially for warm summers.



In the North America, a different processing technique is used for bamboo flooring. This is to complement the weather of the countries in this part also. The manufactured products are highly processed. The bamboo stems used comes from bigger bamboo stems. They are split into uniform width and lengths, and then they are flattened. Further processing is done, by drying it and then laminating it with the use of layers of glue in high pressure.



From the process itself, you will now have an idea how much the bamboo flooring prices will be. The longer and finer the processing will be, the higher will be its price range, notwithstanding the quality of the product, too.



Bamboo floorings are also available depending on its grain orientation. The pieces of woods may be either in horizontal or in vertical. Horizontal bamboo flooring contains slats that are horizontally arranged on its widest edge. They are then joined on its sides with adjoining pieces with the aid of a laminate system coupled with a high pressure. The finished look of the bamboo flooring is one where the bamboo nodes are not that visible.



For bamboo flooring with vertical grain orientation, each piece is laminated side to side on its narrowest edge. The overall effect of this type is a uniform look right to the surface of the finished bamboo flooring.



Bamboo flooring prices will again depend on its installation procedure. Installing locking bamboo flooring is easier since each piece has an interlocking joint that can simply be fixed in place. If installation is fast and easy, then there is no need for a highly equipped installer. The bamboo flooring prices will then be lower.

Bamboo Laminate Flooring, the Perfect Alternative

If you’re looking for a modern and a cheap flooring solution, then the best option for you is definitely the laminate floor. The bamboo laminate flooring, for instance, is very popular, especially in Europe, due to the fact that it offers the impression of real wood flooring, and mainly because it is very cost-efficient.


Although it is quite difficult to even compare hardwood flooring with the laminate flooring, there are plenty of providers that create high quality laminate flooring that can compete with the real hardwood flooring. One type of high quality flooring is the bamboo laminate flooring. This type of laminate flooring is highly appreciated because it is the perfect alternative to its much more expensive counterpart, the real bamboo flooring.


What Are the Advantages of Using Laminate Flooring?

First of all, as I mentioned above, it is obviously much cheaper than the real hardwood flooring. Second of all, the laminate flooring is maintained clean very easily because it is extremely resistant to the external damage. This is a very important aspect, especially if you have pets or children in your house.


In case you have chosen simple laminate flooring or bamboo laminate flooring, you have to also take into consideration these practical aspects. The laminate flooring is resistant to scratches and it is easy to be maintained, things which makes it the perfect choice both for your household and for your office or your place of work. Moreover, the laminate flooring is easy to install and, as concerning the aesthetic aspect, it is much similar to the hardwood flooring.


Everybody prefers cheaper flooring. Nowadays, the popular laminated flooring is in competition with the oak flooring or the bamboo laminate flooring, because it is the price that makes the difference. The designers recommend for the modern interior designs the ‘warm’ flooring, including the laminate flooring.


In fact, laminate flooring is not real parquet because it is made of a ‘photo’ that usually imitates a species of wood and that is applied over a mixture of wood - but this doesn’t lower its quality. The laminate flooring is really resistant and it is usually used in spaces with high traffic, such as the commercial places. It is very important that the laminate flooring is applied correctly, because otherwise the flooring will not last for too long.


Why Do Customers Prefer Bamboo Laminate Flooring?

The high demands in the domain of the bamboo laminate flooring are justified by its low costs and because this type of laminate flooring is already finalized, it is durable and refined. The bamboo laminate flooring is brought to the merchandisers from countries like Zaire, Mozambique, Tanzania or Congo. All high quality laminate flooring, especially the one made of exotic wood, have as a source the original country. No bamboo ‘photo’ is to be created or man-made. This is a very important aspect for the quality of the finite product.


Undoubtedly, the bamboo laminate flooring is one of the best sold products in this industry, due to the very obvious reasons that I mentioned above. Besides the cost-related aspects that regard the purchasing of bamboo laminate flooring, most buyers choose it as the perfect replacement for the ‘real’ thing, the genuine wood. This is the best alternative if you can not afford to buy real wood, but if you still wish to offer your room the aspect of natural materials.

Choosing Beautiful Bamboo Flooring

When it comes to choosing a new floor for your home there are many choices available to today's home owner. Bamboo flooring provides an excellent alternative to traditional hardwood flooring materials. Growing in popularity as an alternative, bamboo flooring has many attractive features that make it a viable option for modern homeowners. Although harvested primarily in China, bamboo flooring can now be found quite easily in both European and North American markets. Many of those that adopted bamboo flooring early on point out its environmental friendliness due to it being a renewable resource. The bamboo plant regrows very quickly when compared with the time it takes a forest to regrow. In fact, the bamboo plant is considered a grass, as it grows far faster than a normal forest. When done responsibly, harvesting of the bamboo plant can be accomplished in a environmentally friendly manner.


How does bamboo flooring stack up when compared to traditional flooring materials? High quality bamboo flooring is harder and more durable than even the most expensive hardwood flooring. Moisture does not affect bamboo in the way that hardwood suffers from water damage. Where traditional hardwood may buckle and crack because of water exposure, bamboo flooring will keep out water without a problem. Bamboo flooring is engineered like a laminate and treated under very high pressure with a high quality glue. This makes bamboo flooring very resistant to abrasions and scratches, where a hardwood floor would end up showing scratches. Bamboo flooring has become significantly more affordable in the past number of years as well.


Best of all, bamboo flooring can typically be installed at home without any professional assistance. Like many of the newer hardwoods, bamboo flooring is made with a groove that allows the planks to interlock, making them considerably easier to install. Before installing a bamboo floor, allow the planks to adjust to their new environment for no less than 72 hours. Although bamboo flooring is very resistant to moisture, they do need some time to adjust to their new climate before installation. Having an experienced flooring professional install the material for you can save you money and aggravation down the road. The last thing you want is to ruin your new floor due to an improper installation method.


What steps need to be taken in order to provide upkeep for a bamboo floor? Maintenance requirements are fairly simple for bamboo flooring. Make certain to sweep and mop the floor after it is laid down. Basic regular maintenance such as dusting and sweep should be done after installation. This will prevent a build up of dust that can dull the finish. A mat used at the entrance way will keep out a great deal of dust and dirt. Dirt and small rocks can easily scratch the finish, and a mat can do a great deal to prevent this problem. By following a simply and ongoing maintenance plan you can help to keep your new bamboo floors looking their best for many years to come.