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Spend $525 now and SAVE $105 each year... ROI = 20%
Saving energy and money on utilities is key, but you can also make your office 'green' right under your feet. Your employees, customers, and clients will applaud your efforts that they will get to experience every day. Durability is key for high traffic office areas and the latest products take that need into consideration.
Renewable flooring materials like Bamboo cost less than hardwood and look great. Bamboo grows significantly faster than hardwood so it is sustainable. Some varieties of bamboo grow to over 60 feet in just 6 months. Vertically oriented 'carbonized' 5/8" bamboo tongue and groove with pre-urethane top coat performs very well and looks terrific. Note that when comparing prices against hardwood, American oak is often cured longer and has less potential to buckle than cheaper imports that cost less than $5 / sq. ft. Bamboo costs about $3.50 / sq. ft. so the immediate savings on a 300 sq.ft. room (20' x 15' ) are about $450.
Consider bamboo for almost any space in your office. You have many styles to choose from, but the vertical oriented system may wear better over time than the horizontal. The 'carbonized' finish is darker than the blonde finish and it looks more like hardwood, and pre-finished boards with multiple coats of urethane will save on installation. Also consider using bamboo instead of carpet. Installed carpet ranges from $1.25 to $2.50 per sq. ft., but you have to clean it and potentially replace it every 5 to 10 years depending on the wear.
The savings are immediate relative to wood, but the ROI Calculation is based on offsetting carpet at an average of $1.75 / sq. ft. for 600 sq. ft. of offices with the need for a carpet replacement within 10 years. The average employee uses 225 sq. ft. Since the average factors in shared hall space, this calculation is for three average sized offices. Naturally, conference rooms, break rooms, and other areas may also work well for bamboo flooring.
Payback Time in Years: |
Added Cost: |
Annual SAVINGS |
5 Year SAVINGS |
Return on Investment (ROI): |
5.0 | $525 | $105 | $525 | 20.0% |