Do you love the look of hardwood flooring, but can’t help but think of its impact on the environment? After all, why should anyone destroy nature’s beauty just to make their homes more beautiful?
Don’t worry—bamboo flooring gives the best of both worlds.
Bamboo flooring has grown in popularity in recent years because it boasts the beauty and durability of hardwood flooring but is also eco-friendly.
Homeowners on a budget are also turning to bamboo flooring because of its affordability. It is, on average, $1 per square foot cheaper than traditional hardwoods.
Whether you’ve been toying with the idea of bamboo flooring in the past or you’ve never heard of it until today, it’s important to do your research to find out if this flooring is right for your home. When choosing a manufacturer, Eco Forest bamboo flooring may be near the top of your list.
Before pulling out your wallet, consider the benefits, drawbacks, quality and overall value of this brand.
Eco Forest currently has four different collections to choose from. This makes it easy for homeowners to find the right style to dress up their space.
Eco Forest Origins is a collection that has a classic look that will retain its beauty for years. This collection is ideal for those who prefer a more traditional style.
The Eco Forest Elements collection is perfect for those who prefer a more stylish and trendy look in their home. This smooth and beautiful flooring offers clean lines and a more modern look than other Eco Forest collections.
Eco Forest Natural floors are true to their name. They give any home a more natural and rustic look. Warm colors and beautiful textures characterize the products in this collection.
Homeowners that dig the retro, vintage look will enjoy the selections offered in the Eco Forest Vintage collection. Weathered finishes and beautiful textures abound in the products within this collection.
Eco Forest bamboo flooring comes in colors ranging from light to dark and somewhere in between.
Brighten up any room with the Eco Forest Patina Locking Solid Stranded Bamboo in Light. Go even lighter with the distressed look of the Driftwood Locking Stranded Bamboo in the Eco Forest Vintage collection.
Prefer the beauty and sophistication of darker flooring? The Titan Black Hand Scraped Locking Stranded Bamboo fits the bill. Not only does this stunning flooring have a beautiful color. But the hand scraping brings out the natural beauty that makes wood flooring so appealing.
There is good news for the budget-minded. While some of this flooring may sound expensive, it’s surprisingly affordable. Most styles cost less than $4 per square foot. Many options available for less than $2 per square foot.
Compare this to the average $3 to $10 per square foot for hardwood flooring, and it’s easy to see why bamboo flooring is growing in popularity.
Caring for and maintaining Eco Forest bamboo flooring is fairly easy if you take proper precautions. Homeowners that have cared for and maintained hardwood flooring will find that the same tips and tricks apply to bamboo flooring.
You can perform a daily routine of getting up dirt and dust just by sweeping the flooring with a broom, or using a hard floor vacuum. This is an important step because a buildup of dirt or grime can lead to dulling, scratching, or other types of damage to the floor.
While bamboo flooring is more resistant to water than traditional hardwoods, you should take care to make sure that water is never left standing on the surface for extended periods of time.
Clean up any spills immediately. Avoid wet mopping at all times. A specialty cleaner designed for use on bamboo is the best method for heavier cleaning of Eco Forest’s flooring.
Like hardwoods, bamboo flooring can fade when exposed to the sun’s UV rays. Window coverings should be used to prevent this fading, while changing the positioning of your furniture will also help floors that naturally fade over time do so more evenly.
While bamboo flooring is often more durable than hardwood flooring, it can be damaged. Avoid walking on the floors with high-heeled shoes, keep pets’ nails trimmed, and avoid dragging furniture or other objects across the floor. Failure to take care of the floors will result in scratches, dings and other damage.
Eco Forest bamboo flooring sounds great, right? However, there is one key area that makes a big difference when it comes to the appearance of your flooring: installation.
As with other types of flooring, you must install them properly to ensure the beauty, safety and integrity of the floor.
The manufacturer recommends that people install this flooring in rooms where the temperature averages 70 degrees Fahrenheit. They recommend a relative humidity of 40% to 60% is recommended.
You should use a dehumidifier seasonally as needed to avoid expansion and contraction of the flooring. You should avoid installing this in bathrooms or other rooms that do not fit this criteria. Instead, select another type of flooring for those rooms.
Before installation begins you should inspect all flooring for any flaws or damage. It’s also important to lay the flooring down in the room for installation for 5 to 7 days so it can acclimate to the temperature and humidity. Any subfloor repairs should also be made before beginning.
A hammer, saw and crowbar are the only tools you need for installation. You may need glue in some cases, as well. Eco Forest bamboo flooring has a locking system that eliminates the need for nails.
While it seems easy enough, many homeowners that have purchased Eco Forest bamboo flooring have encountered problems during installation. This includes gapping, lifting and bowing.
In some cases, installers found that trying to correct the problem resulted in scratches and dings that marred the appearance of the flooring.
This may come as bad news to those who planned to tackle the job themselves. Many consumers who have purchased this flooring opted to hire a contractor for installation. That can drive up the cost of this flooring by hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
Though Eco Forest provides step-by-step instructions for self-installation, it is best if you hire a professional.
Eco Forest bamboo flooring comes with a 40-year structural warranty. However, this does not cover damage that is caused by improper installation or failure to properly care for or maintain the wood.
When stacked against other brands of bamboo flooring, Eco Forest offers many of the same benefits. Beauty, durability and a wide selection of colors and styles are the top features that the brand boasts.
However, because people can damage it with misuse, it isn’t a good choice for homes with heavy traffic, children or pets. You must take care of the floors daily and maintain them on a regular basis to retain their beauty.
Anyone looking for an extremely low-maintenance flooring may want to steer clear of Eco Forest bamboo flooring.
Installation can also prove to be a challenge, and paying a contractor to do the job properly is the best option. However, this may cause budgetary issues for those who expected to tackle the job themselves.
Eco Forest has its shares of benefits and drawbacks, but overall, its pricing and the fact that it’s an eco-friendly product makes it an appealing choice for many homeowners. After weighing the pros and cons, you may even decide it’s the right choice for you.
About Fortino Rosas
Chief Floor Critic, 32 years of experience in flooring installation and sales
Fortino Rosas is an independent flooring contractor with 32 years of experience in residential and commercial flooring installation and sales. He joined the Floor Critics team to share his expertise with our readers. Fortino has acquired vast knowledge and skills in the areas of product selection, space planning, and installation. He has installed flooring in residential, government, and commercial office projects in the Midwest. Visit Website.
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