Bamboo is a versatile material with plenty of uses like textiles, clothes, countertops, and more. If you are looking for a durable and one-of-a-kind kitchen countertop highly resistant to scratches, acids, heat, and stains, a bamboo countertop is an excellent option. It is an incredible way to bring sustainability while adding warmth and beauty to your kitchen design.
This natural material is not just durable and tough but also looks superb in any kitchen design scheme. A bamboo countertop is manufactured by pressing bamboo together with non-toxic chemical adhesives.
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Pros and Cons of Bamboo Countertops
Before installing them in your kitchen, it is essential to understand bamboo countertops pros and cons.
Pros
1. Great Looks
The bamboo countertop is a one-of-a-kind product that is popular for its awesome looks. It consists of a gorgeous grain that looks beautiful with stones, tiles and other woods.
The countertop also looks natural. This will help you set your kitchen design apart from others. Remember, colours and styles differ depending on the independent distributor or manufacturer.
2. Antibacterial Properties
Bacterial growth in the kitchen can result in the cross-contamination of food exposed to the surface, resulting in serious health issues. The bamboo countertop has a non-porous surface.
It means it has naturally-occurring anti-bacterial properties. This makes it highly resistant to unwanted bacteria, mould/mildew and other microbes. It is the primary reason bamboo is so much famous as a cutting surface.
3. Strong and Durable
The biggest advantage of bamboo countertops is that they are stronger than maple and oak. They create a smooth work surface and can stay longer with you if properly maintained.
In case of scratches, these countertops are very easy to re-seal and re-sand to look new. You can do the maintenance of the bamboo countertop on your own if you do not want to recruit a professional. Moreover, the repair process is not as labour-intensive as other countertop material options.
4. Cost-Effective
As compared to other countertop materials, bamboo countertops also come at a reasonable cost. However, the actual rate is different from one supplier to another and one region to another. Thus, make sure you compare pricing to determine what fits your needs the best.
Usually, you can expect the price between $40 – $100 per square foot. It means you do not need to break your bank to have a warm and soft feel of a new kitchen.
5. Greener Choice
If you want to multiply your kitchen beauty without causing any damage to the environment, a Caesarstone and bamboo countertop is an ideal choice. Bamboo is a natural and renewable resource that grows fast.
This eco-friendly material also needs minimal resources for growth and helps you decrease your carbon footprint. Did you know as compared to the equal tree mass bamboo generates 35% more oxygen?
6. Safe
The surface of natural bamboo countertops is free from formaldehyde. It is also laminated with a food-grade adhesive to make it safe for edibles. This characteristic makes them a 100% safer option for kitchens.
7. Customizable
Today, homeowners can even install a tailored countertop. Many manufacturers are available and can help you get a custom bamboo countertop for your kitchen as per your needs. The bamboo countertop will help you match well with the rest of the kitchen.
8. Has an Easy to Clean Surface
Besides creating a welcoming and warm feel across the kitchen, countertops made of bamboo are very easy to clean with household cleaners. Alternatively, you can use soap and water and add vinegar to it.
Cons
The bamboo countertop also comes with certain disadvantages, such as:
1. Not Heat Resistant
Countertops made of bamboo are not heat-resistant. Therefore, make sure you avoid putting any hot item on the countertop directly, such as trivets, hot pans, heat-transferring barriers, etc. Otherwise, it might adversely affect its looks or damage its attractive finish permanently.
2. Long Installation Process
Installing bamboo countertops is a long procedure. If you don’t have much spare time or feel comfy doing it yourself, leave the work to the expert.
3. Not Water-Resistant
Same as the wood, the bamboo countertop is not water-resistant. The dents in the resin can expose the surface to moisture, resulting in damage. For this reason, you must carefully think before selecting it for the region around your sink. If you are installing it around your kitchen sink, ensure the surface is properly sealed.
To protect the countertop material from moisture, you can use tung oil. It will extend its life without causing danger to food placed on the countertop. But if you are allergic to nuts or serving food to those with nut allergies, do not consider it.
4. Non-Chip Resistant
Dents, chips, and cuts can occur on your bamboo countertop with harsh use. All these can damage the sealant coating. So, make sure you treat the countertop gently and take precautions when handling heavy things such as soup cans, pots, etc.
5. Limited Colour Options
There are limited colour options when it comes to bamboo countertops. It’s mainly due to the composition of bamboo. Therefore, it will restrict you to match shades across various kitchen colour schemes consistently.
6. Can be Stained
Some foods or liquids can stain a bamboo counter surface. Moreover, you cannot remove stains simply by just cleaning. Usually, the region needs to be refurbished by sanding away the resealing and stains. Thus, a bamboo countertop may not be the right option if you want a stain-free countertop material.
7. Require Regular Sealing
A bamboo countertop also needs sealing on a routine basis to protect it against water intrusion and stains.
Wrapping Up:
If you plan to remodel or design a kitchen and want an eco-friendly and unique countertop it is advisable to carefully analyze the bamboo countertops pros and cons as listed above. However, bamboo countertops are naturally warm, gorgeous, and will withstand years of abuse with regular maintenance.
It comes in three tree varieties like Parquet butcher block, the strand, and traditional. There are also other features that set it apart from traditional countertops. However, if you want frequent cutting on the countertop, the bamboo countertop may not be the right choice for you.
