Tips on using bamboo flooring in the kitchen

There are a lot of choices when it comes to flooring in your home. Bamboo flooring in Ottawa is one of the most sustainable and eco-friendly options around. Many people are making this their pick when they renovate their kitchen, and here are some of the reasons why.

Bamboo flooring in the kitchen

Durability

Bamboo is very hardy; it easily withstands the changes in temperature, humidity, and moisture. It won’t warp or buckle with spills that are left too long. The engineered bamboo flooring even has a waterproof layer on the bottom that will give you even more, water resistance.

Don’t be fooled, though. Any floor can be damaged when water sits on the surface for too long. However, bamboo can resist water for around 20 to 30 hours. Be sure to inquire about this when shopping. If you are careful, though and have no severe flooding or disasters, you should be fine.

Cleaning

The kitchen floors need a lot of cleaning. It is a high-traffic area and susceptible to spills and drops. Pick up all those crumbs with a vacuum sweeper but one without a beater bar. It is probably easier to just pull out a broom and dustpan. Mopping with a microfiber head is recommended.

Commercial products are fine as long as they are pH neutral. If they are too acidic, the finish will start to dissolve. If you read the ingredients before you buy and try, you will be ahead of the game. Most small areas can be handled with a bit of water and a paper towel.

Styles

Bamboo is offered in three basic styles, solid, engineered, and strand woven. As you might expect, each has its own price point, advantages, and disadvantages.

Solid will give you the most natural look, but it will take quite a while to install. As you redecorate, you can have the flooring sanded to remove any spots and refinished. The downside is that this is glued to your subfloor, so you need to be diligent about over-exposure to moisture.

Engineered is made by combining a thin layer of bamboo over traditionally engineered flooring. It is more reasonably priced and more moisture resistant. However, it cannot be sanded or restained.

Strand woven is manufactured by weaving fibres at a 90-degree angle. It combines the best of engineered and solid since it can be refinished and is highly durable.

Bamboo floors are produced in about as many finished colours or tones as hardwood. You can go traditional with cherry or walnut or opt for the trendy grays. Whatever you choose, make sure it blends well with the existing flooring in the other rooms, especially those adjacent to your kitchen.

Finding the best contractor for bamboo flooring in Ottawa.

If you are considering installing bamboo flooring in your Ottawa kitchen, the first step is to find a reputable contractor. You will need someone that is highly experienced in installing bamboo flooring and has excellent reviews from past clients, and Continental Flooring is the perfect fit for the job. Contact us to discuss your project with detail, including the materials you want to use and any design considerations. We will be glad to help.