Bamboo is the hot eco flooring of the moment. Just like Prada is to handbags, bamboo is becoming the chic choice for homeowners and builders that want to bee "green"!
While bamboo is considered to be a sustainable product, you should do your home work on where the bamboo is harvested, were any chemicals or pesticides used? What was involved in the shipping of the product? Is it formaldehyde-free?
These are questions that can be asked of any dealers that promote bamboo products that are being promoted as "green" or "eco" friendly. Can you buy from a local dealer vs overseas? Thus supporting your local "eco" business and economy. And goodness knows we need to support our local economy in today's market place!
What is Bamboo Anyway?
Bamboo is a rapidly renewable resource, a grass, that matures in three to five years. Using bamboo flooring in place of wood helps sustain forests by not using old growth woods. Bamboo can shoot up to by a foot per day where a tree can take take years to grow and then be considered mature. Plus trees help with global warming so why chop down a perfectly good tree when you can use bamboo instead?
Did You Know?
A grove of bamboo release 35% more oxygen than an equivalent stand of trees.
The thing about bamboo is that when the stalks are harvested, the root system remains, protecting against runoff and sprouting new growth...so you now get...that's right...big buzz word here...SUSTAINABILITY!!!
Bamboo flooring also earns builders a point with the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program. And here is a shout out to those "green" builders!
So if you are beginning a new home, or remodeling your current home, perhaps you should look into bamboo as an alternative to wood or tile floors. Bamboo also decreases our carbon footprint...which I will blog about tomorrow!
Following the Green Bee to Greener Pastures!
Michele Bee
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