The Green Gardener | Bamboo Is A Renewable Resource ... Does It Make Good Flooring?

Okay, there's no doubt about it, bamboo is definitely a renewable resource ... so that makes it green. But does it make good flooring?

Watching a do-it-yourself home redesign show on HGTV last night while waiting for a movie to begin on one of the other channels, we were immediately drawn to bamboo flooring. We've been planning for some new carpet for our living room and upstairs (because hardwood floors cost a fortune, and are super messy to install), but seeing the really cool design and aesthetic of bamboo flooring, I think we've found our fit.

According to Wikipedia, bamboo is a perennial evergreen true grass, and is "the fastest growing woody plant in the world ... Bamboo can grow three or more inches a day though there are exceptions." There are a ton of uses for bamboo, ranging from culinary to medicinal, and ornamental to construction. "When treated, bamboo forms a very hard wood which is both lightweight and exceptionally durable, with an excellent tensile strength ... Modern companies are also attempting to popularize bamboo flooring made of bamboo pieces steamed, flattened, glued together, finished, and cut."

"The species of bamboo used for flooring is commonly known as "Moso ... The manufactured bamboo flooring commonly found in North American markets is highly processed. The bamboo is split and flattened, dried, and then laminated in layers with glue under high pressure. Manufactured bamboo floors are typically made available in planks with either vertical- or horizontal-grain orientation."

Just like most things deemed 'environmentally-friendly,' bamboo's usage for mass production is both positive and questionable. The major fields required for the renewable growth of bamboo were once forests, hence the issue of deforestation. Then you have the carcinogenic chemicals in the glue and laminates to contend with.

So I'm torn. I like the look, pricing and availability of bamboo flooring, but will now question whether it's chemically safe to have in our house with young children and pets (and my asthma).

• Do you have bamboo flooring?
• Got any thoughts on its usage, environmental impacts and durability?