Bamboo countertops’ pros and cons are the main considerations people take before using this material in their kitchen.
Nowadays, interior products made from bamboo are getting more popular since it supports environmental sustainability due to renewable resources.
Along with its environmentally friendly reason, bamboo also looks attractive as countertops. It gives an appearance like wood, although it comes from grass plants.
Since the bamboo surface is considered an engineered product, they are bound together to create a bigger panel.
What Are Bamboo Countertops Pros and Cons?
Like other countertop materials, countertops made from bamboo also have pros and cons.
It is important to consider these two things wisely before purchasing one to ensure that it suits your kitchen.
Here are several bamboo countertop pros and cons that you should know.
Pros of Bamboo Countertops
Among many pros of using bamboo countertops in the kitchen, here are several main reasons people like to use this type of countertop.
-
Eco-Friendly
Compared with other available materials for kitchen countertops, bamboo serves as an eco-friendly option for kitchen countertops.
Although wood is also popular among renewable source options, bamboo offers a friendlier option for the environment. Why?
Unlike wood, bamboo is considered a grass plant, so it has fast-growing ability.
Hence, bamboo can be harvested extremely quickly for many products, including countertops, and regrows fast like most weeds. Bamboo is not difficult to plant as well.
If you want to renew the kitchen look and create a different ambiance inside without sacrificing the environment, bamboo countertops can be one of the great options to try.
-
Relatively Affordable
Cost is one of the main factors to consider about bamboo countertops’ pros.
Since bamboo requires a short amount of time to grow and a considerably easy manufacturing process, countertops made from this material are available as more affordable options.
Bamboo countertops prices commonly start from $45 per square foot. The cost of this countertop may vary based on its thicknesses, size, and finish.
Slightly lower price compared with other wood countertop options, it is worth the quality and unique look offered.
If you want to renew your butcher block in a budget, you need to put this countertop into the list.
-
Visually pleasing
Visual is another thing to consider between bamboo countertops pros. Bamboo is an equitably attractive material.
It is due to its striking layering of bamboo sheets to create a panel that later will be used as a countertop.
-
Antibacterial
Bamboo is a non-porous natural material that is quite different from most wooden materials.
This condition prevents bacterial growth that can ruin the bamboo layers of the countertop panels, which makes it cannot stay longer.
-
Strong and durable
Bamboo belongs to hard material and provides good durability if properly taken care of.
You need to be careful when working with heat and using sharp kitchen appliances.
Using padding or other additional materials helps bamboo countertops last longer.
Cons of Bamboo Countertops
Besides looking for its pros, you also need to know some of the cons when thinking about bamboo countertops.
Here are several cons that you can find when using bamboo as countertops.
-
Non-heat resistant
Although bamboo countertop is strong and durable, it is made from natural material.
Bamboo is prone to high temperatures, so it will lead to scorching when it is frequently exposed to heat.
If you want to make it stay longer, you cannot directly put hot things on it.
-
Non-water resistant
Its ability to resist water is another highlight when considering bamboo countertops cons.
The strong build of bamboo doesn’t guarantee that it can resist water because it is susceptible to water damage and stains from various solutions.
Even though you already apply sealing as a protection for it, the dents in the resin can affect bamboo and cause moisture which can damage the bamboo.
Hence, along with being careful with heat, you also need to make it remains dry.
-
Non-chip resistant
The hard structure of bamboo doesn’t mean that it can resist any sharp thing.
This perhaps becomes why people think twice about using this material when comparing bamboo countertops cons.
Any sharp thing can cause dents or chips on the bamboo countertop surface.
When chips are formed in this countertop, it will damage the sealants that have been applied before as protection.
Any chips can be easily repaired even without asking for help from professionals. However, it doesn’t guarantee that it can last long after chipping once.
-
Frequent maintenance
Bamboo countertops require frequent maintenance, like several wooden materials, to maintain their longevity.
This maintenance commonly includes sanding and reapplying sealants on its surface. Although it needs occasional maintenance, it doesn’t sound as difficult as other wooden materials.
There might be additional maintenance when required, especially when there are chips. It is because the countertops will be more vulnerable to moisture.
This extra maintenance also becomes one of the critical points in thinking bamboo countertops cons before purchasing one.
-
Limited options
Bamboo has a composition that doesn’t provide various color options. One of the main reasons people like to use this material is its natural aesthetic look.
Hence, you will get limited options when using bamboo as a material for your countertops.
The lack of options for the colors might hamper people’s creativity to mix and match colors in kitchen color schemes.
This weakness might cause people to rethink using bamboo as kitchen countertops.
Considering bamboo countertops, pros and cons are required before you buy.
Compare which factors which are more dominant and suitable for your kitchen.
Then, you will know the right decision whether you need to install a bamboo countertop in your kitchen or go with another option.
