Bamboo has been in use in Asia for thousands of years for constructing homes, scaffolding and making all sorts of instruments. In recent times however, the western world is coming around to the fact that bamboo is a much more sustainable alternative to hardwood. With its rising popularity in construction bamboo has also made its way into our homes as flooring or cabinets. Hotel designers are now using bamboo to make creative wall panels.

Now, who doesn’t love a nice deck to relax on? For years hardwood has been the only choice while making a deck. But nowadays bamboo has become the more popular choice for flooring and decking. Not only does it look like hardwood but also is stronger than hardwood. So here are a few reasons why the bamboo decking is the popular way to go.

It’s cheap

For a material that is stronger and has more longevity than hardwood, the bamboo is surprisingly cheap. At around $4-$7 per square feet bamboo costs almost half of what hardwood costs. Installation price is also fairly low as most bamboo flooring is installed as a floating floor. It is so easy that you can do it yourself. Since bamboo is an evergreen perennial grass the manufacturing cost is also cut down a lot.

Stronger than ever

Engineered bamboo is stronger than most hardwood while the strand woven bamboo is the strongest form of bamboo and is one of the toughest materials out there. It has a hardness of more than 3000lbf on the Janka scale (used by builders and architects to measure the hardness of wood) coming short of only Brazilian walnut and an Australian hardwood. Thus the bamboo is harder than most general hardwood available in the market. The greater density of bamboo also makes it impervious to scratches and dents. Bamboo can hold out against the heaviest footfalls and hence is a very good option for floors of high traffic areas like the kitchen, hallway or the deck.

Minimal maintenance

Bamboo decking is resistant to both dust and moisture. So keeping your deck clean and dry will not be a herculean task. Just make sure too much water doesn’t gather at one spot for long hours (around 20 hours). Also use a clean wet mop to clean your deck once a month and it will look just like new. You can also vacuum once every two months to keep it dust free. Even without proper cleaning bamboo lasts longer than any hardwood. Moreover bamboo is a hostile environment for bugs and insect hence you can rest assured that your bamboo decking won’t fall prey to termites.

Lasts a Lifetime

On average bamboo decking will last for more than 15 years at one go. However, minimum care and maintenance will ideally guarantee you a lifetime of service. Bamboo can be refinished 2-3 times. This means that if you find dents and scratches on your bamboo decking you can easily sand off the top layer of your deck and refinish by applying a new coat of stain. After you have stained and oiled it up properly it will look as good as new and will be ready to serve you another decade or more.

Edgy look

Contrary to popular belief bamboo looks and feels similar to hardwood. The natural grain of the bamboo gives your deck an earthly touch. With two broad styles namely horizontal and vertical and a vast array of stains to choose from bamboo decking is becoming more and more popular than hardwood. The clean lines of the bamboo provide an edgy and smart look all the while keeping its simplicity. The horizontal arrangement shows few joint lines and more of the bamboo’s natural nodes while the vertical arrangement shows more joint lines but fewer natural characters. Generally bamboo has a light blondish appearance but you can opt for carbonized bamboo which has a rich caramel tone which gives your deck a contemporary look and feel. Stained bamboo decking can be used to protect your deck from the harsh rays of the sun. Staining your deck also offers you various color choices to match your décor.

If you want to join the smart buyers’ club, just take your phone out and call a bamboo flooring service provider now.