Let's talk Bamboo flooring

Now, if I said Bamboo flooring to you,  I've got a good idea what you might think. In fact it might be close to my first thoughts. Something like this maybe:

Thinking about it more I couldn't see any reason why bamboo couldn't be used for flooring, as I know it's a tremendously versatile material. I mean I have a couple of summer dresses made from bamboo, and instead of the stiff, hard fabric you'd imagine they are unbelievably soft. And remember those bamboo beach mats that were an essential holiday item? Well they're flexible and light too aren't they. 

So until I looked into this more, and browsed around the Ambient Bamboo Flooring site, I'd assumed that bamboo flooring would be a soft floor covering. It turns out I couldn't have been more wrong, as they are said to be three times harder than traditional wood floors, but with the same look and feel. 

The stranded flooring is so resilient because of the way it's made.  The bamboo strands are torn apart and then fused together using intense heat and pressure. And the strength increases if the strands are laid in a cross pattern, which makes sense even to my non technical brain.

So if it's strong, what does it look like?

That was the next question forming in my head. And no doubt yours. But I was pleasantly surprised there too. There's plenty of examples on their site and even as I was beginning to expect to be surprised, I was. 

It can be installed over many types of existing flooring, including concrete. And as bamboo's a fast grower - I can vouch for that if it's anything like the bamboo in my garden - the plants regrow in less than ten years, which is fast compared to seventy years for comparable hardwoods. It starts to make you think doesn't it?

So having not heard of Bamboo floorings before, suddenly I've found myself intrigued by it and wondering why it's not in use more. And then I thought, maybe it is and we just don't know it...

This is a collaborative post but all views and opinions are my own.

Let's talk wood flooring

Today I'm combining two things I'm passionate about: quality wood flooring and a strong family business - it sounds a truly winning combination.  Let me tell you more, although the wood flooring speaks for itself, just look at these stunning installations:

ENGINEERED WALNUT FLOORING
Photo credit: JFJ WOOD FLOORING

'SUPREME' ENGINEERED OAK FLOORING
Photo credit: JFJ WOOD FLOORING

JFJ Wood Flooring have a long history in the timber industry and can date this back to 1853, which is pretty impressive. They supply both solid oak, engineered oak flooring and walnut wood flooring to all parts of the UK. But they believe what makes them different is that they work with their customers to provide flooring that meets their needs and they deliver that to a high quality.

Photo credit: JFJ WOOD FLOORING

They're proud too that their business has been built on word of mouth over the years. I know from the experiences we've had redecorating our house that I'd much prefer to work with craftsmen that people I know have worked with and recommend. It's an easier and more reassuring way to have some certainty about the service you'll receive.

As I've been chatting to them by email I can see why they've lasted so long, they're personable and knowledgeable, proud of what they do but also interact with you in a way a larger, more corporate company often wouldn't. JFJ Wood Flooring are based in Devon and not that far from family we have that way, so we spoke about a shared connection of the narrow country lanes and lots of "backing" - which is inevitable on the often single width lanes, and where one driver reverses so the other can pass. I know in our journeys around Devon it feels like a massive win if we manage even the shortest of journeys without this - small things, hey?!

They're looking to the future too and are in the planning process to build a new 'eco' type workshop, which sounds fantastic. And of course they're planning for it to be cedar clad - what else? - and they're hoping for a grass roof and solar panels and for it to be more pleasing on the eye than their current, very old workshop. 

So if you're after some wood flooring do check out JFJ Wood Flooring as, as well as their products they've some useful information and tools - like their flooring calculator - to help you get the results you want.

And for a traditional family company, what's great is that they're on social media too, so you can connect with them on Facebook and Twitter

This is a collaborative post but all opinions are my own