Bamboo Flooring and Products Guide

Archive for August, 2009

As a finished product, bamboo flooring comes in a range of grains, colors and quality.

The important thing to know, is that your choice will likely determine how long your floor will last.

Since not all bamboo flooring is made the same, your main concern is probably not how the product is made, but how long it will last once you install it; in other words, what you’re worried about is its durability. Here’s where the differences in grain are important.

Strand bamboo flooring and other types of bamboo flooring, such as traditional solid and engineered, are manufactured differently.

You see, bamboo is not a type of wood, it’s actually a grass, so when it’s being produced the fibers are actually pressed layers one of top of the other. In the case of strand bamboo, the fibers are actually “inter-woven.” You should know this because the woven product is stronger than ones made using the traditional methods, something to keep in mind when you’re buying bamboo flooring.

This isn’t the only difference, if you go with strand bamboo flooring you’ll probably be paying more for the finished product. Sometimes you’ll be paying up to 50% more for it, but I’m guessing that you’re looking for quality and durability and you’re not too bothered by the extra cost.

What Should You Look For?

As an intelligent buyer, how long your bamboo floor will last is really up to you, in the sense that what you choose is what you get. Go with the cheap, inferior option and you’re probably going to be pulling your hair out very soon (not to mention your wallet).

Remember the following guidelines to make a better choice:

• When was the bamboo harvested?  Choose those that have been grown for more than 5 years.

• How was the product manufactured? Between horizontal, vertical and strand woven, the hardest is the last.

• What type of adhesives and finishes are used in the production process? You should check that the company adheres to safety standards.

• Ask to see some samples prior to making a decision and make sure to verify if there are moisture controls in the production process and get something in writing. You wouldn’t want your floor to split, warp or delaminate over time.

• Check the finish that was used, was it some cheap polyurethane coat or did they use German Klump finish of aluminum oxide?

With this information, you should be able to make an informed decision and your choice of bamboo flooring won’t be something you regret.

Strand Bamboo Flooring