Bamboo and Cork: The Alternative Wood Flooring Products – Care2.com

When most people think of wood flooring, the old tried-and-true standbys like oak, maple and cherry usually come to mind. But bamboo and cork floors are getting a lot of attention nowadays because of their environmentally friendly qualities.

They both come from quick-growing sustainable resources and are available in a variety of colors and patterns. Unlike traditional wood flooring, both products are grown and harvested abroadAsia for bamboo and Mediterranean countries for cork. The need to transport them long distances add to their overall carbon footprint, but they have other attributes that outweigh their transportation and make them eco-friendly flooring choices.

Bamboo is not actually woodits a grass that reaches maturity in about six years. There are three types of bamboo flooring: vertical grain, horizontal grain and woven. Each provides a distinctive look that ranges from a traditional-looking wood floor to one that displays distinctive bamboo-type markings, such as the knuckles, or growth rings, of the bamboo stalks. Other characteristics include:

Cork flooring absorbs sound and is warm to the touch underfoot.

Cork comes from a species of oak that after it grows for about 25 years. Its bark is carefully removed without hurting the tree. New bark is harvested every nine years after that. The cork used in flooring is waste from the cork stopper industry. The product is not only sustainably harvested, but it is a recycled material as well.

Although it may seem like cork flooring is a new product, it has been around since the end of the nineteenth century. Natural cork has a distinctive look that is different from those found on wood flooring. Some products are digitally altered to give the appearance of stone, similar to the technique used on laminate flooring. Other characteristics include:

When it comes time for new flooring, both bamboo and cork flooring are good eco-friendly options.

Fran Donegan is a longtime DIY author who also writes for The Home Depot. He covers a variety of topics, including the best eco-friendly hardwood flooring options and how to build a home with sustainable materials. To see more ideas on green hardwood options, click here.

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Go here to see the original:
Bamboo and Cork: The Alternative Wood Flooring Products - Care2.com