Are you in the market for new flooring? If so, you’re probably overwhelmed by your choices. What you don’t want to do is spend a lot of money on flooring only to regret your choice later.
If you’re wondering how to select your home’s new flooring, simply answer these 6 questions:
1. Which Room(s) Will The New Floors Go In?
Different rooms in your home will have different flooring requirements. For instance, bedrooms generally don’t have a lot of foot traffic whereas living rooms do. The floors in your bathroom and kitchen have to stand up to spills and moisture, while the floors in your kids’ playroom have to stand up to, well.
Before making your choice, spend a little time thinking about the particular room you are renovating.
2. How Do You Want Your Room to Look?
Is your home a traditional cape or a modern ranch? Do you lean toward classic design or eclectic? Do you prefer the look of blonde woods or dark? What style of furnishings do you already have? There are almost endless flooring options today as far as colors, patterns, and textures, so spend some time considering your ideal look.
3. What is Subfloor?
Years ago it was next to impossible to install hardwood or because there was no way to secure the planks. But now, thanks to engineered boards, you can easily glue down the new flooring to the concrete floor. These boards are incredibly strong and do not react to climatic changes like solid hardwood floors might. So, if you are remodeling your basement and want the look and feel of wood floors, you now have that option.
4. What is the Room’s Climate?
Both solid wood and laminate floors may swell and contract if exposed to significant changes in humidity and temperature. If you want the look and feel of hardwood floors in your kitchen, bathroom, or laundry room, consider installing bamboo floors that stand up to moisture very well.
5. Do You Have Any Pets?
Pets make a wonderful addition to any family. They also make a wonderful mess on your floors. If you have some four-legged pals in your home, you’ll definitely want to install, easy to clean, and durable.
6. What’s Your Budget for the Project?
And last but certainly not least, you need to think about how much you can afford to spend on your remodel project. How much square footage of flooring will need to be installed? Can you do the installation yourself or will you have to hire professionals to do it for you? Some floors are easier for homeowners to install themselves which can save you a bundle.
Why Bamboo Floors Are a Great Option for Most Homeowners
Bamboo flooring is a great option for nearly every room in your home. It offers the same warmth and beauty of traditional hardwood floors but, and its beauty lends itself to many different décor styles. But there are even more reasons why you should consider installing bamboo floors:
Bamboo is Extremely Durable
You may be surprised to hear this, but mature bamboo is actually harder than both maple and red oak. It’s also incredibly resistant to things like moisture and denting because bamboo is actually a tropical grass, not a hardwood. This means fewer stains and warping. With regular care and maintenance, your bamboo floors can last 25 years.
Bamboo is one of the Greenest Building Materials on the Market Today
When it comes to being environmentally friendly – you really can’t beat bamboo flooring. First, bamboo floors have extremely low levels of formaldehyde and other harmful chemicals that are typically used to make some of the engineered floorings on the market. Of course, not all bamboo floor manufacturers are equal so do your homework and make sure you buy your floors from a reputable dealer.
All of Ambient’s flooring is lab-tested for formaldehyde and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Our products are set out by the California Air Resources Board (phases one and two), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the International Standards Association, and European indoor air quality standards (E0 and E1). 100% VOC-free products are also available by special order.
Bamboo is Highly Renewable and Eco-Friendly
Bamboo grows incredibly quick, maturing in as little as 3 – 5 years, and many species can grow over 100 feet tall. Compare this to hardwoods which can take up to 30 years to mature. Also, bamboo does not require pesticides, fertilizers, or excessive amounts of water. Bamboo groves also release more oxygen into the environment than other trees, and they can help prevent soil erosion, improving growing conditions for other plants. When you take all of this into consideration, you can see why bamboo appeals to eco-friendly homeowners.
Bamboo Flooring is Easy to Install
Homeowners can save quite a bit of money. But many floors can pose an installation challenge and require professionals. Not so with bamboo. This flooring typically comes out of the box ready to go so no sanding, staining, drying time, or finishing is required.
Bamboo Floors are Quite Easy to Maintain
You don’t have to spend a lot of time or effort keeping your bamboo floors looking great. Some regular sweeping and mopping will do the trick. To keep them sparkling, you may simply polish your floors once or twice a year with wood floor polish.
Bamboo is Incredibly Versatile
Bamboo is one of the more versatile flooring choices on the market. Although you may be familiar with bamboo’s natural blonde color, did you know its color can change through a process called carbonization? This process uses pressure to heat the sugar in the bamboo and the result is darker shades. Want floors the color of cherry or hickory? Not a problem. No matter what your décor or personal preference, you’re sure to find bamboo floors that fit your home and lifestyle.
Installing new floors in your home is an incredible way to add beauty and raise value, but it is an expensive investment so be sure to think about all of your requirements before you buy.
If you have to resist any questions, please contact us!
Last update of the article: 09/16/2020
About the Author
James is your friendly neighborhood content writer here at the Green Living Blog. With a passion for all things sustainable, he’s your go-to guru for everything eco-friendly. Armed with a treasure trove of wisdom about sustainable living, recycling, and environmentally conscious practices, James is on a mission. He’s here to make sure you not only protect your family but also keep Mother Earth smiling. 😊🌎 When he’s not busy sharing eco-friendly insights, James can often be found teaching his cat that compost bins make the purr-fect hideaway. 🐱♻️ Join James on his quest to uncover the secrets of defeating wasteful habits while leaving the lightest footprint on our precious planet’s ecosystem.