|
Decorating with Bamboo Flooring
by Geoff Hugh
Not just food for pandas or the stuff of cheap picnic mats,
bamboo is now being processed with modern techniques into
beautiful "hardwood" flooring that beats standard wood floors
in durability, hardness, and dimensional stability.
An added bonus to these beautiful floors is the knowledge that
bamboo, unlike wood, grows quickly and abundantly, reaching
maturity in five years or less. Red oak and maple, by
comparison, can take decades to mature and then have to be
replanted. Clear-cutting of forests also has a negative
environmental impact and threatens the planet's biodiversity.
After harvesting, cutting, processing, and finishing, bamboo
flooring installation is not much different from standard
hardwood floor installation. The important steps in
installation occur before putting in the bamboo floor. First,
make sure you buy from a reputable manufacturer who is willing
to back up their product with a warranty.
The next step in bamboo flooring installation is making sure
the subfloor is dry, clean, and level. Dirty subfloors will not
bond well with the adhesive, and subfloors that are not dry will
eventually cause rot. If not level, the bamboo flooring will
squeak when walked on. If you are competent in home repair and
good with your hands, you may be able to complete the bamboo
flooring installation on your own. In some cases, with certain
types of bamboo flooring, a professional will be needed.
Bamboo flooring may be glued down using a moisture barrier
flooring adhesive. After applying the adhesive to the subfloor
with a trowel, the bamboo flooring planks should be immediately
placed. You may also install bamboo flooring using a nail gun
over plywood or particleboard. Once starter rows are secure,
subsequent planks should be nailed directly above the tongue at
a 45-degree angle to face.
After installing the bamboo flooring, you will care for it in a
similar way to hardwood floors; frequent dusting/sweeping,
occasionally mopping, and use of wood cleaners. With regular
care, bamboo flooring will add a stylish, beautiful component
to your home for many years to come.
Geoff Hugh http://www.plasmatvreviews.net
http://www.plasmatvreviews.net
|
|
|