Bamboo counter tops are more and more fashionable with owners as a substitute for conventional supplies due to their sturdiness, sustainability, and heat. Counter tops made out of treelike grass bamboo provide the same look and texture to wooden counter tops however are tougher and longer lasting.
In contrast to marble and granite counter tops, bamboo gives gorgeous magnificence at a fraction of the fee. Bamboo can also be a fast-growing materials, so you’ll be able to be ok with utilizing this renewable useful resource as a part of your eco-friendly kitchen design.
Sorts of Bamboo Counter tops
There are 4 primary forms of bamboo counter tops that current completely different floor appearances: vertical grain, finish grain, flat grain, and strand woven.
- Vertical Grain – Vertical grain bamboo counter tops are the most typical model for bamboo counter tops. Producers create this model once they be part of collectively strips of bamboo to create a vertical sample. You’ll be able to acknowledge this model due to the striped sample and the vertical orientation of the traces.
- Finish Grain – Finish grain bamboo counter tops are also called parquet butcher block and may function the identical sample. Producers make these counter tops by gluing quick blocks of bamboo collectively in distinct patterns. Due to the tight grain and sample of this sort of countertop, it’s the greatest bamboo floor for resisting scratches.
- Flat Grain – Flat grain counter tops are additionally known as face grain as a result of they’re created by opening the bamboo and becoming a member of the items face-up.
- Strand Woven – Strand woven counter tops wouldn’t have the stark traces that grain counter tops do. As a substitute, producers create these counter tops by weaving strands along with adhesive after which urgent them beneath excessive stress. Strand woven bamboo counter tops have an look that’s extra much like strong wooden.
Building of Bamboo Counter tops
All bamboo counter tops require adhesive and stress to bind the items collectively as there isn’t any piece of bamboo massive sufficient to create a very strong floor. That mentioned, there are strong bamboo counter tops and plywood bamboo counter tops they usually differ within the uncooked supplies used to create the tip product. Each of those building strategies produce counter tops which are sturdy, laborious, and appropriate for kitchen use.
- Strong Bamboo Counter tops – Strong bamboo counter tops come in numerous thicknesses and inner buildings. Producers create them by gluing strong bamboo items collectively in numerous patterns.
- Plywood Bamboo Counter tops – Fabricators make plywood bamboo counter tops by gluing sheets of bamboo collectively beneath excessive stress. After fabricators create the boards or panels, they will minimize them aside to show completely different grain patterns.
Price of Bamboo Counter tops
Bamboo counter tops price between $25-$100 per sq. foot for simply the supplies. For a 50-square-foot part, count on to pay between $2,000-$3,000 on common for the counter tops. Labor prices are inclined to run between $5-$15 per sq. foot. The worth can be roughly relying on the kind of bamboo utilized in creating the countertop in addition to the standard and sturdiness of the adhesives.
The most costly kind of bamboo counter tops is created from Moso bamboo, which is well-known for its energy and sturdiness. Adhesives that don’t use formaldehyde and are environmentally pleasant improve the value however are higher for making a wholesome kitchen atmosphere. It can save you cash in your bamboo counter tops by evaluating costs between producers, ready for gross sales, buying a inexpensive model and end often known as builder’s grade, and putting in the bamboo counter tops your self.
On a regular basis Look after Bamboo Counter tops
The on a regular basis care of bamboo counter tops is simple and easy however needs to be maintained if you wish to protect the standard of your bamboo counter tops.
- Clear Spills Promptly – Like wooden counter tops, bamboo can stain if left uncovered to standing water. Clear up liquid spills as they happen.
- Keep away from Abrasive Merchandise – Use a mushy material or sponge and heat water or delicate cleaning soap to wash the floor as wanted. Don’t use abrasive cleaners or pads, as these can scratch the floor.
- Use Slicing Boards – Quite than minimize straight on the floor of your bamboo counter tops, use slicing boards to arrange meals. It will stop scratches and dents from marring the floor.
- Use Trivets and Scorching Pads – Bamboo counter tops can not face up to warmth and may burn if uncovered to sizzling surfaces. Use trivets for decent pans and pots to keep away from marking the floor.
Lengthy-Time period Upkeep for Bamboo Counter tops
It’s best to count on some long-term care of bamboo counter tops to maintain them wanting attractive.
- Keep away from Injury – Observe proactive upkeep of your counter tops and keep away from actions that can create injury. Use slicing boards for meals prep. Don’t go away any standing water or different liquid on the countertop, which creates stains. Don’t use abrasive cleaners or scouring pads, which destroy the end on the counter tops. Additionally, don’t place sizzling pots and pans straight on the floor of the bamboo and not using a trivet or sizzling plate. Doing this will create burn marks that should be eliminated with sanding.
- Oil the Floor Frequently – It’s important that you just apply a coat of oil to your bamboo counter tops each couple of months so as to keep away from a dry and brittle floor. Use a food-safe oil like linseed, tung, or mineral oil. Apply the oil with a mushy material. Enable the oil to penetrate the floor earlier than wiping off the surplus with a clear material.
- Contemplate a Sealer – Some folks use linseed, tung, or mineral oil to seal the floor of their bamboo counter tops. Others favor a extra long-lasting choice like polyurethane or varnish. A protracted-term sealant is just not a crucial step and needs to be thought-about in mild of household allergens and meals publicity preferences.
- Sand Out Scratches – When scratches or dents happen, you have to sand them out with fine-grit sandpaper. Use sandpaper that has a grit of 120-180. Rigorously sand within the path of the grain till you have got eliminated the mark and the floor is easy once more. Use a better grain to complete if you need the floor smoother.
- Tackle Injury Rapidly – All the time handle any issues together with your counter tops rapidly as leaving them can create bigger issues as time passes.
Execs and Cons of Bamboo Counter tops
Bamboo counter tops have distinct qualities that create distinctive positives and negatives that you must think about earlier than an preliminary funding.
Execs:
- Eco-Pleasant – Bamboo is a renewable useful resource as a result of it’s a fast-growing useful resource that may be harvested with out harming the atmosphere. The bamboo plant requires little or no water to develop and may thrive with out pesticides and fertilizers making it a extra eco-friendly countertop than different wooden choices.
- Affordability – Bamboo counter tops are inexpensive than pure stone counter tops like granite and marble. In comparison with wooden counter tops, they’re much like many mid-range decisions however lower than high-priced woods like teak and unique woods like zebrawood.
- Simple Care – Bamboo counter tops are simple to wash and keep, as you’ll be able to wipe them down with a mushy material and water. They naturally resist the expansion of micro organism and mildew.
- Look – Bamboo has the identical heat and textured look as wooden counter tops. You’ll be able to differ the look of bamboo counter tops in line with the model of the floor.
- Sturdiness – Bamboo is a tough and sturdy materials. It has a superb strength-to-weight ratio making bamboo kitchen counter tops an excellent floor for counter tops.
Cons:
- Susceptible to Scratches – Although bamboo is sturdy, it’s vulnerable to scratches from knives, pots, and pans. You will need to word that you may simply sand out the scratches when wanted.
- Common Upkeep – The upkeep of bamboo is straightforward nevertheless it does should be always maintained to ensure that the counter tops to look their greatest. This consists of common cleansing and oiling of the floor.
- Water Resistance – Bamboo counter tops aren’t waterproof. You should clear up spills from water and different liquids rapidly and never enable them to sit down as they will trigger staining.
- Warmth Resistance – Bamboo kitchen counter tops can not face up to warmth and may burn if uncovered to scalding surfaces.
- Restricted Coloration and Designs – Bamboo is on the market in only one coloration, although in a wide range of configurations. It’s attainable to alter the colour of the bamboo countertop with both stain or darkish oils, however one should apply the stain fastidiously as bamboo takes stain in a different way than many softwoods.
