By Chris Jensen

Believed to have originated in China, bamboo flooring can be seen in use in most East Asian countries.

Strength wise, bamboo is on par with or even stronger than medium grade steel, the test of it being the pounds per square inch that it can handle. It combines the pluses of both, hardwood and timber, in that it is as strong and pliable as hardwood and, at the same time, as long-lasting as most timber. This serves a dual purpose, it is light on your pocket, as it does not need frequent replacement like hardwood and, consequently, is environment-friendly as it reduces cutting down of trees.

Have you ever given a thought to what happens after we cut down a tree for our hardwood requirement?

Once cut down, it takes 20 years for a tree to grow back! It takes even longer for it to mature enough to be chopped down for hardwood again. Now consider bamboo, it takes at the most 5 years to grow back and then it is ready again to be harvested.

So by going for bamboo over hardwood you are also doing your bit to save our rapidly vanishing rain forests. What is more important, bamboo flooring is lighter on your pocket too as compared to several other quality woods!

More advantages: bamboo is a natural insect repellent so it keeps those little pesky guys at bay. Moreover it resists moisture and another very popular feature of bamboo is that it leaves the room quite airy be letting in a breeze which is quite welcome on a warm summer day.

Bamboo is especially the right choice for areas with high humidity as it does not expand or shrink with passage of time. This results in lesser gaps in the flooring.

If you have any apprehensions about how bamboo flooring will look, do not fret over it. The speed at which it is gaining popularity all over Asia and Europe and in many parts of North America too, speaks volumes about its popularity. If you love the oriental look, bamboo is definitely for you.

It is also fast gaining popularity among designers for its various advantages and features. Its look and style combined with its durability and variety makes it so popular. Bamboo flooring is available in two different variations and you can choose from over 30 stain colors to suit your decor. The tools you use for hardwood can be used for bamboo also.

You can also choose whether you want to go for a vertical or a horizontal grain alignment, when going for bamboo flooring. The horizontal alignment is even prettier for flooring as it brings out the joints on the grass.