"Bamboo is an alternative to wood" — you've probably heard this phrase many times without really understanding the specific differences between these two materials. At ootouch, our goal is to raise awareness of this ecological alternative to wood, in order to reduce the impact the timber industry can have on the planet. There are dozens of good reasons to choose bamboo, and we're ready to reveal a few of them!
Bamboo is far more environmentally friendly than wood!
While some swear only by wood, there are now many alternatives whose qualities and benefits are far greater than our good old oak or exotic wood. While laminate and composites have won the hearts of many users, those who love natural and sophisticated materials have rather opted for bamboo! And they were right, because bamboo is the ideal material for those who want to promote a sustainable and ecological product.
It is no longer a secret to anyone: the timber industry is one of the most polluting in the world. Between deforestation and the factories used to process wood, the environmental impact is enormous! Every year, deforestation causes numerous disasters around the world: the destruction of the habitat of certain animal species, the outbreak of forest fires, the displacement of local populations. Moreover, it takes up to 70 years for a tree to reach maturity and therefore efficiently release oxygen and absorb carbon from the atmosphere.
Find out who will have the last word: oak or bamboo flooring!
Seventy years is a long time, especially when you know that bamboo only takes 10 years to grow and reach a sufficient size to be cut. Add to this bamboo's ability to produce between 30 and 35% more oxygen than other plants, while absorbing twice as much carbon. All thanks to its rapid growth! This helps avoid intensive deforestation and stores large amounts of carbon. A genuine plus for helping Mother Nature.
Bamboo enriches the soil in which it is planted
Did you know that bamboo has beneficial properties for the soil in which it is planted? Indeed, in its natural state, the incredible density of its root network allows it to fight against soil erosion that can be caused by agriculture, rain or wind. Bamboo can therefore become an important solution to combat this scourge, which often causes food insecurity. The soil regains sufficient fertility to allow fruits, vegetables and cereals to grow in sufficient quantity and, above all, to full maturity.
But how does this really work? Bamboo's roots sink underground to create a barrier, allowing the soil to regenerate while minimising the risks of landslide or erosion. It is through the elimination of toxins, known as phytoremediation, that carbon and oxygen allow the soil to remain fertile.
Test your knowledge of bamboo!
A solid and ultra-resistant material
If wood is known for its good resistance to time and weather, bamboo has nothing to envy. Indoors or outdoors, bamboo is a natural material with one of the strongest resistances in the world. Among all the bamboo ranges offered by ootouch, BamWood is the one with the highest resistance.
How do we know the resistance of bamboo or the BamWood range? There is a test, called the Brinell hardness test, which measures the hardness of materials such as glass, wood, aluminium, steel and bamboo. Compressing a steel ball onto the tested material gives an index that makes it possible to classify materials. Classic bamboo scores 4.35; bamboo from the BamWood range rises to 8; while classic oak barely reaches 3.7.
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Bamboo does everything wood does, but better!
In recent years, bamboo has truly become a serious alternative to wood species. Its durability, hardness and low ecological impact have made bamboo a material that is difficult to do without. Moreover, even though it remains closely linked to its image of zen and relaxation, bamboo has already won over many people thanks to its use in various rooms of the home, your offices or other public spaces.
So, while for a long time it was relegated to a single use in the bathroom, today bamboo can be found in every available space: as flooring on the ground, as cladding on the wall, as decking outdoors, in the kitchen, the bedrooms, the living room, in short, endless solutions.
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