Bamboo is a grass - not a tree. More than 1000 species of bamboo are grown around the world. Some thrive in mountains with cold winters, while others only appear in tropical climates. For the most part, bamboo does not grow in Europe or Canada, and is seldom cultivated in other northern countries.
Where it does live naturally, bamboo grows very quickly. Some of the largest species grow fastest of all, with new shoots gaining 3 feet per day. Bamboo is one of the only plants whose rapid growth can be heard and seen as it happens.
The genus Phyllostachys includes several large species of bamboo that are large enough to use in building products. These are known as timber bamboo. In addition to growing vertically, these types of bamboo spread quickly through rhizomes under the surface of the soil. In fact, they are even considered invasive species in places like California, where they are not native. Of the roughly 75 species and 200 varieties of Phyllostachys, the largest can grow to be about 100 feet tall.
To minimize impact on wild habitats and maintain consistency in the harvested product, some companies that make bamboo products have established their own plantations. Whether cultivated or collected, mature bamboo can be harvested every five years or so.
By itself, bamboo is not a suitable replacement for wood in flooring. Individual stalks of bamboo can be used in building, but flooring has to be broad and stable. To become a useful flooring material, bamboo must be shredded and then formed into regular shapes, such as planks and tongue-and-groove boards, under high pressure. As with cork, this loose material is held together with an adhesive or resin. The adhesives and resins used to create bamboo flooring, transform an abundant natural resource into a durable building product.
In keeping with the goal of environmental responsibility, manufacturers emphasize the use of adhesives that do not contain formaldehyde, and resins such as acrylic urethane that contain few or no volatile organic compounds. This helps the products meet standards for both green manufacturing practices and indoor air quality.
Once shredded bamboo is set in its new shape, it provides a flooring surface that is harder than red oak or maple, and thick enough to refinish several times. In tongue-and-groove boards, bamboo is available with vertical or horizontal grain, naturally colored or stained, finished or unfinished. Bamboo flooring is also made as a laminate, with a 1/8-inch wear layer of bamboo adhered to a backing made of pine or other softwood.
The increasing popularity of cork and bamboo has brought many manufacturers to the field, and their competing claims can be confusing. When you shop for renewable flooring materials, check more than just the price per square foot. Think about whether the material will still be appropriate if you change the way you use that room. Finally, ask installers which products they believe stand up best over time. Your investment in renewable materials will benefit the environment; make sure it also improves your quality of life.
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