There are so many design options when it comes to upgrading a home that it's no surprise so many people become confused. Household appliances, paint, accessories and other components come in so many shapes, sizes and colors that it can be a perplexing task to choose from these options. Flooring is no exception. For instance, if you know that your house will experience high volumes of traffic, you may want to choose a species of wood that is known for its durability, such as oak. Oak flooring is very popular and very durable, but oak alternatives are better choices for those who are interested in sustainable or green technology.
Oak is one of the more popular hardwood floors to install because of its durability, elegance and lasting style. Oak tends to darken as it ages, yet it will still hold up to most other types of wood. If it gets nicked or scratched, oak can be refinished a number of times before it needs to be replaced, and a solid oak floor that has been taken care of should last 100 years or more.
While oak is an appealing choice, many people are looking towards green and sustainable living. For these shoppers, bamboo flooring is a good substitute, as it is just as durable as oak when it comes to lasting shine and scratch resistance. However, bamboo flooring is not a hardwood. In fact, it's not a wood at all--it's made up of bamboo fibers pressed together which gives it the durability of the hardest of woods. Also, bamboo can be stained practically every color that's available in other hardwoods.
While bamboo used to be an expensive alternative, with more companies manufacturing bamboo hardwood floors today, the price has dropped significantly. It can now compete in look, strength and price with most other hardwoods, including oak.