In both new construction and home remodeling, wall-to-wall carpeting is losing ground as more and more homeowners opt for wood flooring. Wood floors add charm and elegance that carpeting can’t match. They also permit easy redecorating. Changing out area and throw rugs is easier and less expensive than redoing carpet. That’s why homeowners have mostly opted for neutral colors. But when you choose wood floors and add accent rugs, your color options suddenly open up.
Until recently, the wood flooring market has been dominated by hardwoods, but bamboo is quickly growing in popularity. If you’re planning a remodel of your kitchen or bath, or if you’re considering refinishing your basement, you might want to take a look at bamboo. The benefits are numerous.
- Bamboo is an economical flooring choice. Bamboo can be found as low as $1 per square foot, as compared with other hardwoods costing $3-$10. The price is economical, but the look is definitely not ‘cheap.’
- Bamboo flooring is durable. Some softer woods easily scratch and ding, but bamboo flooring will stand up well to heavy, daily use. One type – decarbonized bamboo – is even more resistant. While all wood floors will eventually need refinishing or replacement, you can expect bamboo to have a comparable wear time as hardwood flooring.
- Bamboo flooring is a good choice for those who want an eco-friendly flooring product. Unlike hardwood flooring, which is produced from trees which take a long time to grow, bamboo flooring is made from a quickly-growing woody plant. It matures in 3-5 years, and what’s more, new shoots spring out from the old plant once harvested. Trees used for hardwood flooring typically take at least 10 years to grow, and trees need to be replanted once cut.
- Bamboo flooring is easy to care for. Bamboo flooring is very stain- and water-resistant, which makes it an excellent choice for kitchens and baths. And since it lacks the grain grooves of hardwoods, there are fewer little crevices in the wood to collect dust and dirty. Simple sweeping and mopping are all that’s needed to keep it looking good.
Okay, so you’re sold on the idea of a wood floor, but you prefer the look of hardwoods? Bamboo flooring comes in a variety of styles and profiles, some of which replicate the look of hardwoods. Bamboo flooring is stylish, and it has a bright, clean look to it that can add a fresh, classy look to any room. If you’re planning a remodeling project, consider opting for bamboo flooring instead of hardwood or carpeting.
Iron River Construction is a full-service home improvement contractor, offering interior and exterior remodeling services in the Twin Cities metro area and outlying Minnesota communities.



