Category: Driveways Waterford

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Aluminum blinds are good looking and durable, and you have lots of choices

aluminum blinds, aluminum mini blinds, aluminum venetian blinds

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If you want durability in window coverings, aluminum blinds will give you the peace of mind you crave. They do give you the special ambiance you want for every room of your home and you can color coordinate the blinds with the d cor. Aluminum blinds are manufactured with this in mind as well as the fact that people want something that will last. When you purchase blinds, you have a choice of vertical blinds, mini blinds and Venetian blinds in the aluminum line. Aluminum blinds look just as good in a formal dining room as they do to the window of a rec room in the basement.

Although aluminum blinds are more expensive than vinyl, they are cheaper than wooden blinds. You can have aluminum mini blinds with a 1 inch slat or aluminum Venetian blinds with slats 2 or 3 inches wide. If you shop at Hunter Douglas for aluminum window blinds, you will have 129 colors to choose from and several different levels of privacy. If you just want reduced light, then you can have aluminum material in blinds that will permit some light to come through, while blocking the glare. You can also have these blinds in styles that give you complete privacy when you have them lowered.

You don t have to worry about not being able to put aluminum blinds to specialty cut windows. You can easily have aluminum mini blinds made to order to fit bay and corner windows and even arched or round windows. Along with using the standard cord to raise and lower aluminum Venetian and mini blinds, you can also have a battery operated tilt feature to the blinds. This feature is wireless, which makes installation of the blinds relatively easy. The motor is quiet, yet powerful and the 6 channel remote control can operate up to 6 window blinds as long as they are within 50 feet of the control.

Aluminum blinds offer good energy efficiency. Blinds with this rating resist heat loss through the window during cold seasons, yet provide the shade you need when the sun s blinds rays are strongest. With aluminum mini blinds and Venetian blinds you can also order for your windows with a high rating for UV absorption as well as forming a sound barrier. If you need to cover large windows, the Venetian blinds with the larger aluminum slats are the best ones to use. The steel head rail is rolled so that when the blinds are raised they are hidden within the head rail, although you can set them at any level on the window.

The color choices in the line of aluminum blinds include solids, metallic and matte, which has a low gloss finish. These mini blinds and Venetian blinds provide the perfect dressing for any window. Install them within the confines of the window facings so you have the wood of the window exposed or use them with toppers and valances for a coordinated look. Whatever look you wish to achieve in a room, aluminum blinds will help you do it.

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Aluminum awnings are tough, versatile and cost effective.

aluminum awnings, aluminum awning, alumawood do it yourself patio covers

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Aluminum awnings offer an inexpensive way to cool down your home during the heat of the summer day and protect your furniture and flooring from the fading effects of the sun. These awnings also shelter your windows and doors from the elements of the weather. The explicit instructions that come with these awnings and patio covers allow you to do it yourself without having to pay for professional installation. Aluminum awnings can easily be set in any position and all the hardware you need for installation comes with them.

The Alumawood do it yourself patio covers are made from lattice and can really transform the look of your patio. This type of aluminum awning is sold in kits and you can have the awning attached to your home or have it free standing. You can also order custom made aluminum awnings that are created to your specific measurements and designed to fit the architecture of your home. The alumawood awnings, like aluminum, will not rust, crack, warp or peel.

When you decide that the Alumawood do it yourself patio covers are what you want to have, you will have patio covers that are virtually maintenance free. The aluminum awnings are built to give you years of enjoying the outdoor space of your home. The Alumawood awning is an aluminum awning that looks just like wood. It is lightweight and durable and is finished in a richly textured wood grain. With the weather coating included on the aluminum, it will never need painting. Just a regular washing of the patio cover will do the trick and keep it looking new.

Along with the Alumawood do it yourself patio covers, you get matching color fasteners. Simply reading the directions before you start will show you that this is something that you can do yourself. These aluminum awnings are easy to install and come with a lifetime warranty. Each of the do it yourself kits for installing an Alumawood patio cover is available in five different colors. The kit for the aluminum awning or patio cover also contains the support beam, rafter beams, lattice tubes and posts.

The components of the aluminum awnings that you can install yourself are all interconnecting. This will make the installation process quite simple and the only help you will need is to have someone hand the pieces to you as you put them in place. It won t take you long to have the Alumawood patio cover in place and then you can sit back and enjoy your new living space. With aluminum awnings, you won t realize what you have been missing until you get the first one installed.

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Mechanical rat traps are one possible alternative to poisons; another alternative is to buy a cat, although cats capable of dealing with rats are relatively rare; in many cultures, hunting dogs have been used instead. Both of these methods have a disadvantage of being comparatively messy, a particular problem when the building with a rat problem is to be uninhabited for some months. Anticoagulants have the advantage that their first effect is dehydration from blood loss, caus…

rat,rats,poison,poisons,poison rat,rat poison,poison rats,rats poison,mice,rodent,rodents,mice poiso

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Mechanical rat traps are one possible alternative to poisons; another alternative is to buy a cat, although cats capable of dealing with rats are relatively rare; in many cultures, hunting dogs have been used instead. Both of these methods have a disadvantage of being comparatively messy, a particular problem when the building with a rat problem is to be uninhabited for some months. Anticoagulants have the advantage that their first effect is dehydration from blood loss, causing the unfortunate rodent to leave the building in search of water.

Newer rodenticides have been developed to work with by reducing the sperm count in males to deprive them of the ability to procreate rather than to kill rodents outright. They are usually administered in the breeding seasons of most rodents.

ABOUT THOSE SERINE PROTEASES:

Clotting factors are identified by number and the serine proteases (also called K-dependent factors for reasons which are about to become clear) are factors II, VII, IX, and X. These factors are produced in an inactive state by the liver and go happily circulating through the bloodstream awaiting activation. When a vessel tears and it becomes necessary to form a clot, these factors are activated in a process that requires Vitamin K (a fat soluble vitamin not as famous as its fat-soluble cousins Vitamins A and E). As the clotting factors are activated, Vitamin K is inactivated but later recycled by another set of enzymes to be ready to participate in clotting factor activation again later.

As long as there is plenty of Vitamin K, the serine proteases can be activated and clotting can proceed normally.

The anticoagulant rodenticides abolish Vitamin K recycling. This means that as soon as one s active Vitamin K reserves are depleted, there can be no meaningful blood clotting.

In cases of poisoning one would expect symptoms to be nearly immediate but in the case of anticoagulant rodenticide poisoning, it takes several days to deplete Vitamin K. After that, even the smallest of jostles and traumas can lead to life-threatening bleeds.

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The only people who haven t learned the value of caulking, weather stripping and insulating yet are living in caves or tents.

geothermal,heat pump,radiant barrier,air conditioner

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My favorite alternative cooling device is a gin and tonic. It s portable, easy to operate and provides instant on-demand refreshment.

Is there such a thing as a Tanqueray energy tax credit?

Although you can install solar panels, a wind turbine or micro hydro to generate the electricity to run an air conditioner, the only true whole house alternative cooling method is a geothermal ground source pump.

The cost of this type of system can be recouped in as little as two years on a new house installation, but the initial capital outlay is more than most homeowners can afford.

Let s say you re-mortgage your house for $20,000 and you have a choice between a new kitchen and a geothermal heat pump; how many new heat pumps have your neighbors been showing off lately?

Less expensive options to consider:

Weatherization
The only people who haven t learned the value of caulking, weather stripping and insulating yet are living in caves or tents.

Fans
Ceiling, paddle, and portable fans produce air motion across your skin that increases evaporative cooling. A moderate breeze of one to two miles an hour can extend your comfort range by several degrees.

Whole House Fans and Evaporative (Swamp) Coolers
These devices can reduce your air conditioning costs by 50% or more but are only effective if you live in a dry climate (less than 40%humidity).

White Roofing
Elastomeric roof coatings reflect 90% of the sun’s rays and will reduce the indoor temperature by 7 degrees according the independent research laboratory MER Corporation. These coatings are for flat roofs and cost around .50 per square foot to apply.

Radiant Barriers
These shiny, reflective barriers keep excess heat out of your attic in the summer or keeping your floors warm in the winter. Stapled under the rafters or joists, it reflects 97 of the radiant heat that strikes it. The non-profit Florida Solar Energy Center has shown that an attic radiant barrier can reduce air conditioning costs by at least 20%.

Air Conditioners
Clean the filter once a month. Turn off your A/C when you leave for more than an hour. It saves money. Draw the shades while you re at work. Close off unused rooms or, if you have central A/C, close the registers in those rooms and shut the doors.

Set your A/C thermostat at 78

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When building a home, insulation is one of the major aspects that can cut future heating and cooling costs. Fiberglass insulation has been the primary choice, but not anymore.

insulation, home improvement, fiberglass, recycle, recycled newspapers, newspaper,

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When building a home, insulation is one of the major aspects that can cut future heating and cooling costs. Fiberglass insulation has been the primary choice, but not anymore.

Alternatives to Fiberglass Insulation

People have become much more sensitive to environmental and energy savings issues when building homes. Whereas such subjects were rarely discussed 20 years ago, they are now on the front burner for many of us. This transition has been so extensive that homebuilders now incorporate both issues in their projects and use their solutions as selling points. If these subjects have become part of the marketing, you know the transition to more environmental and energy consciousness has come full circle.

Have you ever wondered what happens to the newspapers you haul out to curb with the other recycling every week? Since I am mentioning it in this article, it is probably obvious the newspapers are being turned into insulation products. This relatively new insulation product is quickly overtaking fiberglass insulation in new home building projects, remodels and additions. Known as fiber insulation, it is more environmentally friendly than fiberglass, less expensive and just as good at sealing homes.

Fiber insulation is typically made up of recycled newspapers. Yes, those newspapers you haul out to the curb each week with the trash. Small amounts of ground up cardboard can also be included in some products. The material is shredded and then treated with acrylic binders to make the material hold together. To prevent fires, it is treated with various forms of fire retardant materials.

Fiber insulation almost always comes in a loose fill form. The loose fill is typically blown into cavities requiring insulation instead of being stapled up as seen with traditional fiberglass rolls. The material usually goes in dry, but there are wet versions that are sprayed on much like more traditional spray on insulation products.

As you may know, recycling newspaper is something everyone does these days. Just take a look down the street on garbage day. Recycle boxes of newspapers are on every driveway. This massive recycling produces tons of shredded newspaper material. Frankly, it can t be turned into usable materials fast enough. This inventory problem means the material is extremely cheap. As a result, fiber insulation can cost up to 25 percent cheaper than fiberglass insulation.

Whether you are building new, doing an improvement or just adding on, fiber insulation represents a good deal on all fronts. Just tell them you want the stuff made out of recycled newspapers.

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There are two type of hydro massage bathing systems:
1. Whirlpools, more commonly known by the brand name Jacuzzi.
2. Airspas, more commonly known by the brand name Airbath.

airbaths,whirlpools,spas,airspas,steam,saunas,hydro-massage

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WHIRLPOOLS AND AIRSPAS (Jacuzzi and Airbath):
There are two type of hydro massage bathing systems:
1. Whirlpools, more commonly known by the brand name Jacuzzi.
2. Airspas, more commonly known by the brand name Airbath.
Whirlpools are characterised by having jets on the side of the bath about half way up and a suction point (similar to a colander) in one of the bottom corners. This type of system produces hydro-massage by sucking water from the bath and pumping it out of the jets on the side under pressure. To increase the pressure of the jets most whirlpools have a control on the top of the bath which allows air to be sucked in to the jet of water.
The main difference between a whirlpool and a Jacuzzi is that the size of the jets is bigger on the Jacuzzi and the air and water mix is different. This difference produces a more powerful jet of water with the Jacuzzi (whether this amount of power is necessary with a standard domestic sized bath is a matter of opinion).
The difficulty with all whirlpools is that they hold a small amount of water in the jets and pipe work when emptied. Depending on who fits the system this amount can vary between an egg cup full and several pints.
The second difficulty with some whirlpools is that not all baths are designed to have them fitted. This can result in the jets being sited very high up the sides of the bath, with the effect that when you lay in the bath the jets of water do not hit you but spray over the top of you and only agitate the top one inch of water. This will result in a longer bathing period required to achieve the hydro-massage effect.
Baths where the jet positions are moulded into the side allows the jets to sit lower and so intensify the massage. With this type of system it is not advisable that small children or older people are left unattended whilst in the bath.
The third difficulty with whirlpools of all types is that they do not have the ability to maintain the water temperature. The result of this is that the average length of time a bath stays warm is approximately 30 minutes. That is unless you add more hot water. Dependant on the type of whirlpool system you choose it may take between 10 minutes and 25 minutes to achieve the hydro-massage effect on the body.
Airspas are characterised by having a series of jets or holes fitted/drilled into the base of the bath. They produce air through the jets under pressure to fill the bath with bubbling water. This agitation of the water is what causes the hydro-massage effect. The difficulty of this type of system is that it has a tendency to cool the water in the bath. It is possible to with this type of system to have any level of water in the bath whilst the system is in use and so makes it ideal for children and older people. However due to the reduced pressure of the air jets over the whirlpool jets it can take longer to produce the hydro-massage effect. The Airbath system has a device called a Warm Air Injection which allows a small amount of hot water to heat the air stream as the air is pumped through the jets. The result of this is that Airbath claim that the system will
maintain the bath water temperature. This then allows a person to stay in the bath for longer and so gain the full benefit of the hydro-massage.

One difficulty experienced by all massage baths to a greater or lesser extent is that of hygiene. There is a commonly held belief that this type of system is unhygienic.
This is both true and untrue! I will explain. All massage systems require cleaning from time to time. Because of the design some systems may need to be cleaned every 3 months. All good manufacturers will supply a cleaner designed for their type of system and advice on how to use it. The main problem is that people do not follow the cleaning regime and as such problems then ensue. The system is as hygienic as the user. You would never dream of not cleaning the toilet or basin so why assume that the massage bath has the ability to clean itself.

STEAM AND SAUNAS (Turkish and Swedish):
Turkish steam sauna’s and Swedish dry heat sauna’s are both types of hydro-massage system. The difference is in the way they achieve the effect.
Swedish dry saunas use dry air to heat the body to high temperatures causing you to perspire heavily. They are supplied in the form of a wooden box inside of which is sited an oven upon which sit hot coals. These coals produce more heat when a small amount of water is splashed on them and the humidity increases. As people we can stand quite high temperatures of dry heat but only relatively smaller amounts of heat in high humidity. The average temperature within a Swedish sauna can be over 100 degrees.
Turkish steam saunas produce steam in large amounts to cause the hydro-massage effect and, like the Swedish type, also make you perspire heavily. This is wet heat and as such achieves the desired effect at much lower temperatures. This can be as little as 40 degrees and is seldom higher than 50 degrees. The main difference between the two systems is that the steam system appears to be less of an irritant to the breathing and as such is better in general for those suffering from respiratory conditions where a moist atmosphere is beneficial. You may have experienced this as a child if, when suffering from a cold, you were told to put your head over a bowl of steaming water and than had a towel placed over you.

HYDRO-MASSAGE EFFECT:
The Hydro-massage effect has never been proved to be a scientific fact. This effect cannot make the blind see, the lame walk, cure aids or prevent cancer. It is claimed by many however to provide relief from the effects of many debilitating conditions.
The Hydro-massage effect is the action of the heat and or movement of the water on the body. The result of this is two fold. The first is that it causes the muscles around the arteries and heart to relax. This in turn allows the heart to pump more blood with each beat, without pumping any harder. The result of this is increased and improved circulation. Improved circulation is of benefit in many conditions. It reduces inflammation around the joint of those suffering from arthritis and rheumatism and allows for the removal of stress causing toxins from the blood stream by improving kidney function.
The second effect is that when fully relaxed the body produces its own chemical relaxants such as noradrenalin. These natural relaxants have none of the side effects of the manufactured kind and enable you to totally chill out.

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Iron railing has been in vogue for the last many centuries and has not gone out of fashion even then. The popularity is due to long life. Read al about iron railings in the article.

deck railings, porch railings, railing, glass railing, iron railing, wood railing, aluminum railing

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Iron railing has been in vogue for the last many centuries and has not gone out of fashion even then. The popularity is due to long life. Read al about iron railings in the article.

Traditional Yet Modern – Iron Railings

Iron railings have been used since the start of industrial revolution in the sixteenth and seventeenth century. At that time, the metallurgy was still an art and not an exact science as it is today. Being the work of art, it was costly to have iron railings and only the rich could afford the wrought iron and cast iron railings. The technique of welding was non-existent and metal joining was only be heating and hammering together or riveting.

The iron railings may be classified as wrought iron railings, cast iron railings or the steel railings. Stainless steel railings were non-existent in seventeenth century.

Now after the fashion has gone through many iterations the iron railings have never got out of fashion since the life of the iron railings is more than the life cycle of fashions. Iron railings will never go out of fashion any time.

The metal used in railings was primarily iron although the rich and the kings used other metals including gold for railings inside the houses.

Metal Used In Iron Railings

Wrought Iron railings: Wrought iron railings were made be a laborious process of heating the pieces of iron to red-hot heat and hammering out the pieces of the railings to the required shape and size. The work was labor intensive and only those artistic tendencies and the ability to work hard were able to make the wrought iron railings. Since the artists are never hard workers, and vice versa, the supply was limited, and hence the prices were very high.

Cast iron railings: The cast iron railings were made by melting the iron and casting the hot iron into molds. The molds were made from sand and used for making cast iron railings. The railings were fragile and if one breaks, it was virtually impossible at that time to repair the broken railing. It had to be handled with care and not many would go for the cast iron railing except the rich persons.

Mild steel railings: The mild steel made its appearance some where in the eighteenth century and was immediately popular material for fencing and railing. The pieces could be cold worked and joined by riveting. The cold working was the major advantage and this increased its use for everything including the used for railings.

Advances in Iron Railings

Advances in welding technology changes the way we used iron for railings. Now it was possible to bend the iron rods in shapes that were hitherto unimaginable and it was possible to join them with welding. The welding technology also made it possible for us to reduce the weight and cost without reducing the strength. As the iron rods were weldable, the repair also became easy.

Now it is possible to make railings out of plates and bend them into shapes as required. The material remains the same old iron but now the form can be changed to make it look more attractive and maintenance free. Stainless steel is utilized for this purpose in increasing quantities, and the stainless steel looks more elegant and requires no maintenance at all (other than regular cleaning).

Thus, iron railings have given way to stainless steels and it is being increasing used for all railing related work.

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Almost eighty percent of the new U.S. houses are installing central air conditioning units while construction. The reason why most people are opting for this is that the central unit keeps the room temperature in a comfortable level as it filters and dehumidifies the air. This system is all the more beneficial for those who have allergies or asthma. But those having existing homes do not need to worry, as the central air conditioning units can even be set up in houses that ha…

air buying central conditioning, air conditioner air filter

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Almost eighty percent of the new U.S. houses are installing central air conditioning units while construction. The reason why most people are opting for this is that the central unit keeps the room temperature in a comfortable level as it filters and dehumidifies the air. This system is all the more beneficial for those who have allergies or asthma. But those having existing homes do not need to worry, as the central air conditioning units can even be set up in houses that have already been constructed!

If you are looking for the best central air conditioning unit, you need to keep certain points in mind. The first thing to consider is the size of your home. The air conditioning units are available in various sizes, so carefully pick the size that you think would be the best for your home. Remember, that the machine would not be able to properly dehumidify air if it s too large for its purpose. You should rather get a contractor to help you choose, as they calculate the required size with a method named Manual J .

The next important thing to look into is the SEER rating, i.e., the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. The technology has changed today, and the energy efficiency has also improved as a result. So the new air conditioners are supposed to have a SEER rating of 13, whereas, a rating of only 7 or 8 was enough for the machines installed a couple of decades ago.

You can actually save quite a lot in your electricity bills if you substitute your old and ineffective air conditioner with a new central air conditioning set up. In fact, you can expect to save more than $500 a year with the new SEER rating, which has gone up to 13 from 11.5. To get the latest in energy efficiency, choose a compressor having the “Scroll(tm) technology”.

The “Energy Star” is one more criterion which your central air conditioner should have. This is basically a certificate to denote that the equipment consumes less energy than the other new models. The new models obviously consume a lot less than the machines dating back a couple of years.

Be careful while choosing the location for putting up the outdoor unit of your machine. This is important because it would not be able to ventilate air properly if it is put under a deck, or is covered up by plants. These units are often noisy. So keep them far from your deck or your patio, or any place where you want to enjoy some quietude.

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Window blinds are essential for anyone who wants to safeguard their privacy, at home or in the office. While it is true that some people prefer to use curtains, window blinds have the advantage in that you get to control the amount of light that comes in. One reason for the choice of curtains over blinds is the ease of installation. Some types of window blinds are, in fact, a bit more difficult to install but this alone shouldn t be the deciding factor. Blinds can add a tou…

blinds,blinds and shades,discount window blinds,roller shades,venetian blinds,bamboo blinds

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Window blinds are essential for anyone who wants to safeguard their privacy, at home or in the office. While it is true that some people prefer to use curtains, window blinds have the advantage in that you get to control the amount of light that comes in. One reason for the choice of curtains over blinds is the ease of installation. Some types of window blinds are, in fact, a bit more difficult to install but this alone shouldn t be the deciding factor. Blinds can add a touch of the exotic, or the elegant, to any room.

There are some factors to consider when figuring out what type of blinds to buy.

The first factor is the style of the window blinds. The most popular are the Venetian blinds, which have horizontal sections made of wood or metal. These panels can range in width from 16 to 50 mm. There are, of course, many different types of window blinds. Here are a few of the more well-known varieties.

In contrast to Venetian blinds, vertical blinds are aptly named since they have vertical panels. These sections can be completely separated if you want to have the look of natural sunlight. Vertical window blinds are not confined to wood and metal, but can be made of many different fabrics.

Roller shades typically consist of a complete sheet of treated material, such as vinyl. These blinds roll up or down and can completely block sunlight. If you can t visualize this, think of those old Tom and Jerry cartoons. You know, the ones where Tom gets wrapped up in the window blinds? Those are roller shades.

Honeycomb shades look like, well, honeycombs. The effect is generated through layering opaque fabric. A special quality of these window blinds is that their layering allows them to insulate the room by not letting heat or cold in.

Finally, there are the decorative wood woven shades. These blinds are usually made from interwoven bamboo and don t have an actual adjustment. They are best used in situations where you would like your blinds to block direct sunlight from coming in, but you would still like to have a little natural light.

When hanging your window blinds, you need to remember to leave enough space so that they can hang freely when extended. The great thing about modernization is that you don t actually need to hang your blinds yourself. Many of the home furnishing stores will install the window blinds for you, sometimes at a very low cost. If you re not sure that you can install your window blinds yourself, the best thing is to hire a professional.

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Bamboo is a type of grass. Being so, you might think that it is as soft and brittle as the typical grass species we know and can no way be used as building material.

Bamboo floors, hardwood floors, bamboo

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Bamboo is a type of grass. Being so, you might think that it is as soft and brittle as the typical grass species we know and can no way be used as building material. However, bamboo has proven itself very resilient and flexible, making it the material of choice for many structure builders.

The cost of bamboo flooring averages at between $2 and $4 for every square foot, which is just about the same price as oak. This is a fair price considering the many benefits it offers.

Installing bamboo flooring does not require any special and specific technique. In fact, there are several ways you can lay them on: You can float them, nail them down, or glue them on. Bamboo is also easier to get than oak because it only takes around 3 years for it to mature, as opposed to oak which can take up to a hundred years to be fully mature.

It is important to note that that bamboo is not a wood — it’s a grass, so we cannot call it hardwood. However, it can last as long as the standard hardwoods we have around, so that’s probably why most people mistake it as such.

To make a flat, solid floor, the bamboo tubes are cut into strips. These are then these are boiled to strip the starch away. The boiled strips proceed to the drying and lamination process, and then milled to become strip floor boards. This is the same process that hardwoods like maple or oak go through. Finally, the strips are treated using a preservative to slow down decay.

There is something about bamboo floors that gives a room an ethnic and earthy feel. Because hardwoods like oak are rather dark and, thus, look too rich and heavy, using bamboo as your flooring makes your space appear lighter, airier, and less contrived.

But perhaps the best thing about bamboo floors is that they are easy to acquire and install. Bamboo floor strips are sold at all building materials stores. You don’t have to search far and wide to get your hands on them.