If you’re planning a change of worktop, the likelihood is that you’re busy exploring your options right now. Although oak and walnut are well known contenders for your attention in the wood worktop market, two of the slightly less well known are bamboo and iroko. As a result, it seems like a good idea to look at the pros and cons of each to help you decide which route might work best for you.
The things we believe that are likely to affect your final decision are: looks, price, durability and safety (with regard to food preparation). This is why we’ve focused on these issues in this post.
Bamboo, which technically isn’t even a wood, is a really popular option for worktops these days. Strictly speaking a grass rather than a wood, one of the main attractions of bamboo is that it grows so incredibly fast. Add to this its natural strength and it’s easy to see why more and more people are looking to bamboo for their worktop and flooring projects. What’s more, thanks to its speed of growth, bamboo is also considered to be a really eco-friendly material.
Originating mainly in China and across Asia, bamboo is very similar in its behavior to wood and in its natural state is much the same colour as beech. Although it can be darkened by carbonizing, this process does tend to soften the raw material. Bamboo worktops are constructed by slicing the bamboo into thin strips that are then boiled in an acid or lime solution to remove the naturally present starches and sugars. Thereafter it is dried, laminated, stained and finished to create the worktop.
In many cases, the slices of bamboo are bonded together using a urea-formaldehyde (UF) substance which is known to emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which does make this manufacturing process somewhat worrying from a worktop point of view. So, if you are choosing bamboo for your new kitchen worktop, you’d do well to reassure yourself that there are no risks to your food preparation.
In summary, while bamboo is a low price option and is considered eco-friendly, there are issues with the hardness of the material (depending upon how it has been treated) and the risk of emissions.
When it comes to iroko wood worktops, this raw material hails from Africa and is often called African or Nigerian Teak. A tropical hardwood, iroko bears a strong resemblance to teak with its irregular grain and course texture. The unique thing about iroko is that it starts its life as a bright yellow colour and matures very quickly to a medium, golden brown. One of the great things about iroko, when it’s used in worktops, is its ability to withstand extreme changes in temperature and moisture, which makes it perfect for the challenging environment in your kitchen.
So, without the risk of emissions and the durability of iroko, it’s easy to see why many people plump for iroko wood worktops over bamboo when it comes to re-looking their kitchen.
Side by side
Criteria | Bamboo Wood | Iroko Wood |
---|---|---|
Origin | Mainly from China and across Asia | Hails from Africa, often called African or Nigerian Teak |
Material Type | Technically a grass, but behaves similar to wood | Tropical hardwood |
Appearance | Similar in color to beech in its natural state | Starts as a bright yellow and matures to a medium, golden brown |
Processing | Sliced into thin strips, boiled, dried, laminated, stained, and finished | Not specified |
Durability | Depending on how it has been treated, may have issues with hardness | Can withstand extreme changes in temperature and moisture |
Environmental Impact | Considered eco-friendly due to its fast growth | Not specified |
Safety Concerns | Possible emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during processing | No emission risks mentioned |
Price | Lower priced option | Not specified |
Usage | Increasingly popular for worktop and flooring projects | Ideal for kitchen worktops due to its durability against temperature and moisture fluctuations |
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FAQ
What is the origin of Bamboo and Iroko wood?
Bamboo primarily originates from China and across Asia. On the other hand, Iroko wood, often called African or Nigerian Teak, hails from Africa.
How does the appearance of Bamboo and Iroko wood differ?
In its natural state, Bamboo is similar in color to beech. Iroko wood starts its life as a bright yellow color and matures very quickly to a medium, golden brown.
Are there any safety concerns associated with Bamboo and Iroko wood?
Bamboo wood is often bonded together using a urea-formaldehyde (UF) substance during processing, which is known to emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs). This might be a concern for some people. There are no mentioned emission risks associated with Iroko wood.
How does the durability of Bamboo and Iroko wood compare?
The durability of Bamboo depends on how it has been treated. Iroko wood is known for its ability to withstand extreme changes in temperature and moisture, making it an excellent choice for challenging environments like kitchens.
How does the price of Bamboo and Iroko wood compare?
Bamboo is considered a lower-priced option. The price details for Iroko wood are not specified.