Choosing the Right Type of Bamboo Flooring

More and more remodelers and home builders are gravitating sustainable flooring alternatives, and bamboo has emerged as one such product. Of course, its long-lasting durability, reduced suceptability to moisture, exotic look, and unique finish doesn’t help in the appeal.

When you are ready to install bamboo flooring in your home or office, there are multiple considerations you need to make. Depending on the location of the floor you are remodeling and your basic flooring needs, there are several options that will serve you well. Let’s take a look at the fundamental differences between these floors.

When you are ready to install bamboo flooring in your desired space you must decide between different finishes, colors, edges, and surface types. Depending on the location of the floor you are remodeling and your flooring needs, there are several options that will serve you well. Let’s take a look at the fundamental things to consider when choosing a bamboo floor:

Bamboo Color Options

There are a variety of color options for bamboo flooring.

• Blonde: Bamboo is naturally beige.
• Stained: Stained bamboo comes in a variety of colors. While many appreciate bamboo flooring for its natural color, it can also be stained darker to compliment a room’s overall design. Stains can come in Black, Brown, Orange, Red, and even Yellow.
• Caramelized: Carbonized or caramelized bamboo is pressure-heated to brown the sugar compounds. This produces a warm color without using stains or dyes.

Bamboo Flooring Types

There are three different kinds of solid-bamboo flooring: vertical-grain solid strip, flat-grain solid strip, and strand bamboo.

• Flat Grain: This type of bamboo flooring plank and is made up of thin, flat strips that are stacked on top of one another and then laminated together. Strand bamboo is manufactured from super-thin, shredded bamboo fibers that are mixed with resins and pressed into rock-hard planks.
• Vertical Grain: Vertical grain planks feature strips turned sideways for a clean, contemporary look.
• Horizontal Grain: Horizontal finishes simply refer to the direction of the grain on each plank. The strips are laid flat to showcases the grass stalk's "knuckles" for a richly grained appearance.

Strand Vs. Laminate Bamboo Flooring

Strand bamboo flooring is made from actual strands of bamboo that are bonded together with adhesive and resin. The result is a 100 percent bamboo floor that doesn’t vary in appearance from plank to plank. Strand is often the pricier version of the two because it is constructed completely out of bamboo.

Laminate bamboo, on the other hand, is made of a top layer of bamboo and laminate core. Several layers of hard fiber are adhered to the core and an image of bamboo is printed on top. Because this option is not actually made of bamboo, it is often less expensive. Engineered bamboo is often less expensive, and is installed by floating it above the subfloor.

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Surface type comes distressed or smooth, while edging can vary from interlocking to a standard square cut.

All in all, bamboo's ornate grained pattern creates a distinctive appearance in any home, office, or retail environment. Compare all your options when shopping for bamboo flooring to make sure you choose the right style and the most durable flooring material for your remodeled space.

Resources: Popular Mechanics - " A Bamboo Flooring Buyer's Guide"