Green FloorsBamboo vs. Linoleum

Rebecca Armenta

Brian Van Osdol

Brian Hachtmann

The Good: Bamboo

• Natural– Low energy plant!

• Perennial

• Grows rapidly

– 4-6 years / harvest

• No fertilizer

– Protects topsoil

• Attractive aesthetics

• Long lasting– 30 - 50 years

• Good insulator

• No wasted materials– 100% bamboo use

The Good:Linoleum• Natural Organic

– Linseed oil

– Wood flour or Cork

– Jute or canvas

– No toxins

• Clean

– Static free

– Anti-bacterial

– Easy to clean

• Long lasting

– 25 - 40 years

• No wasted materials

• Biodegradable

• Burning reclaims energy

The Bad:Bamboo

• Formaldehyde VOC– Toxic

• Asian Pacific– Workers rights

– Shipping energy

– Panda bears

• Processing– Boiling and heating

• Shows wear– Needs re-surfacing

• Bad cleaning agents– Use cleaner cleaners?

• End of life?

The Bad:Linoleum

• High processing

• Less insulation

• 3/4 the globe shipping

• Often confused with Vinyl

(toxic)

• Aura of “cheap”-ness

Comparing the two• Shipping is similar

• Heat loss

– Bamboo: 0.08 W/mK

– Linoleum: 0.17 W/mK

• Maintenance

• Cleaning

• End of life

Design Opportunities

Bamboo

• Grow locally

• Formaldehyde free

adhesives

• Certified green

venders

• Potential to replace

many wood products(4-6 years to harvest vs 20)

Design Opportunities

Linoleum

• Marketing

– More trendy upscale

styles

• Increase insulation

capabilities

Bamboleum!

Bamboo flooring with

a linseed oil topcoat

Questions?