Frequently Asked Questions About Bamboo Flooring

Bamboo flooring is quickly becoming one of the most admired types of residential flooring. And it’s not just beneficial because other people like it! There are lots of reasons why it’s become cool, like the Fonz of flooring.

Think hardwood is a snoozefest? Here are a few reasons why you should choose bamboo flooring:

• Bamboo floors are easy to install and care for.
• Bamboo floors are ideal for allergy sufferers as they do not promote dust or harbor dust mites.
• Bamboo flooring is an inexpensive alternative to hardwood flooring.
• Bamboo flooring is beautiful and durable.
• Bamboo flooring can be installed in almost any home over numerous types of sub-floors.
• Bamboo floors are environmentally friendly. Bamboo hardwood floors are recognized by the US Green Building Council as a sustainable product and a low-emitting product.
• Made with safe resins and extremely low formaldehyde emissions, bamboo flooring is an excellent floor for healthy homes.

Most bamboo is grown, harvested, and milled in the Pacific Rim; most often China or Korea. Concerns are growing that the rise in demand for bamboo is leading to the destruction of other crops or forests. Nearly all of the bamboo imported to the U.S. as lumber for hardwood floors and other uses comes from sustainable plantations in China, but it is difficult to gather much information. You might not always be able to get a specific answer, especially if you choose cheaper options like wholesale bamboo flooring.

Bamboo really does shoot high and fast, about 70 feet in only 3 to 6 months. But the bamboo shoot is still young and has not reached maturity at this point. The shoot then gains necessary strength in order to survive the elements. The plant creates lignin (from the Latin lignum, for wood), to harden the cells and assist in the transport of water. It takes 3 to 4 years to reach maturity and strength similar to hardwood. At 5 to 7 years, the bamboo is at optimum levels for flooring. Still, this is a much shorter period than traditional hardwood, which accounts for the affordable bamboo flooring price.

Since bamboo is a grass, the use of pesticides and fertilizers is not needed. Bamboo is the fastest growing plant on earth and has few insect issues, none of which affect the quality of the stalk. Ask your bamboo floor wholesale supplier if pesticides or fertilizers are used to grow their bamboo. Pesticides filter into the groundwater, affecting not only the drinking supply but the food crops of people in the area. They can affect people's health and lead to birth defects.

Fresh and mature bamboo culms are split and flattened lengthwise into strips of equal dimensions. These are processed and kiln dried before being pressed against each other and glued under high pressure to form boards (raw planks). The raw planks are then milled to form tongue and groove on the edges. These are then surface coated, packed, and shipped. Strand woven boards are manufactured to achieve greater strength and stability. The methods of achieving such a strength differ, but special resins coat the bamboo strips when they are woven together and heated; this achieves a much stronger product (two or three times harder than standard hardwood flooring).

Fresh and mature bamboo culms are split and flattened lengthwise into strips of equal dimensions. These are processed and kiln dried before being pressed against each other and glued under high pressure to form boards (raw planks). The raw planks are then milled to form tongue and groove on the edges. These are then surface coated, packed, and shipped. Strand woven boards are manufactured to achieve greater strength and stability. The methods of achieving such a strength differ, but special resins coat the bamboo strips when they are woven together and heated; this achieves a much stronger product (two or three times harder than standard hardwood flooring).

During the manufacturing of the product, the strips of bamboo are placed in a large chamber and boiled, which changes the color to appear similar to that of hardwood flooring (light to medium brown). depending on the supplier, bamboo can be stained to match an array of colors.

Yes. The process that changes the bamboo to the beautiful carbonized color also softens the product slightly. Estimates of just how much this process weakens the product range from 5-30%, but with the unique strength of bamboo, this should not sway your decision.

Strips of bamboo are laminated together to make flooring. The terms "horizontal" and "vertical" refer to the manner in which bamboo strips are laminated together. In the horizontal style, the strips are laid flat so the top surface shows the bamboo's natural growth rings (aka nodes or knuckles). In the vertical style, the strips are turned on their sides and laminated together in long, slender rows, cresting a different appearance.

As a rule of thumb for non-professionals, add 7%-9% for waste and cuts depending on your skill level and the layout of the area.

In order to maximize the durability and finish of your bamboo flooring, it is recommended to keep up with maintenance as needed. Here are some things that will ensure a beautiful floor for generations to come.

• Place doormats or rugs at entrances to collect moisture, sand, grit, and other potentially damaging substances from being tracked onto your bamboo floor.
• Sweep, mop or use a soft vacuum accessory to keep your bamboo floor free of dust, dirt or grit. If small scratches occur use a damp rag with mild soap to gently rub the scratch out.
• For sticky spots, use a soft damp cloth to gently scrub the floor. If necessary, use a generic hardwood floor cleaner, but make sure that it does not contain mineral spirits as this will remove part of the aluminum alloy finish. do not use steel wool or other abrasive scouring pads.
• Do not use harsh detergents, abrasive cleaners, or corrosive chemicals to clean your bamboo floor.
• Avoid excessive water. Use mats in the kitchen, bathroom, and laundry room to protect against spills. If a spill occurs, blot it up immediately with a dry cloth or slightly damp mop.
• Use only colorfast and non-scratch carpeting or pads on your bamboo floor.
• Protect the floor from furniture legs and do not walk on the floor with high-heeled shoes.
• Although some bamboo flooring has effective UV inhibitors in its pre-finish, it is recommended that it not be exposed to direct sunlight for long periods.

Bamboo flooring can be installed in nearly any room of your home, above or below ground, over wood, OSB, or existing vinyl flooring. And engineered floor is recommended below grade and you'll be hard pressed to find a supplier that warrants any kind of hardwood in a bathroom. Bamboo flooring is not recommended in washrooms, saunas, enclosed porches, or anywhere that can expose the flooring to excessive moisture for long periods of time. Extended exposure to moisture of this type may cause your bamboo flooring to warp or swell.