Bamboo floors are manufactured from the bamboo plant. The majority of today's bamboo flooring products originates in China and other portions of Asia. The species of bamboo used for flooring is commonly known as "Moso" in Japan, and "Mao Zhu" in China.
The manufactured bamboo flooring commonly found in North American markets is highly processed, similar to other types of wood tile flooring. The bamboo is split and flattened, dried, and then laminated in layers with glue under high pressure. Manufactured bamboo floors are typically made available in planks with either vertical or horizontal grain orientation.
In vertical bamboo floors, a vertical plank will have each of the component pieces stood vertically on their narrowest edge and then press laminated side to side. The effect is a lined, almost uniform look to the surface of the finished floor plank. Horizontal bamboo floors have individual slats that are arranged in a horizontal direction, on their widest edge, and then joined side by side with adjacent pieces using a high-pressure laminate system. The look of the finished horizontal surface is one where the characteristic nodes of the bamboo are randomly visible.
Locking bamboo flooring is the easiest to install. Individual strand bamboo flooring planks have interlocking joints that click precisely into place.
The two major colors are natural (similar to beech) and carbonized (similar to oak). The process of steaming bamboo material under a controlled pressure and temperature is called carbonization, in which bio-organisms and sugar breaks down, and the material changes into a brownish color. The natural and carbonized bamboo floors are typically referred to as solid bamboo, although in fact the structures are layered, similar to plywood.
Bamboo floor is very durable as well as resistant to moisture. Like cork floors, bamboo has also gained a reputation as an eco-friendly, highly renewable source of material, as the bamboo plant (technically a grass) reaches maturity in considerably less time than the trees used to make wood floors. The Green Building Council’s LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is very much in favor of bamboo being used as a source of flooring production, because bamboo is composed of many different fibers that do not absorb moisture as easily as wood. The manufacturing process and the quality of production minimize the chance of the bamboo planks de-laminating. A new advance technology that uses aluminum oxide surface coating will definitely outlast any traditional finish.
Bamboo combines elegance, versatility, and function, to make this product an ideal solution for your flooring needs. Now days, bamboo can be found in many different grains, colors, textures and stains. Bamboo will definitely compliment any room of any style or décor. The unique grains found in bamboo, cannot be found in any other wood flooring product. As with any wood flooring product, the color variations only add to the beauty of the finished floor. The beautiful hues are not painted but are inherent to the product. Bamboo is becoming one of the most popular floors amongst builders, and interior designers. Bamboo is durable, and is friendly to the environment.
We are seeing an increase in the number of people that are becoming more aware of the influence bamboo have when it comes to our health. As with other green products, bamboo is preferred more and more in response to rising concern about allergens, and in-door air quality.
Just like with any other natural products, variations are to be expected, and enjoyed. These differences establish the unique characteristics that are found in bamboo. The beauty of bamboo will enhance your interior, while remaining true to its natural origins. Bamboo gives an appearance that is unique to any other wood floors.
