All bamboo flooring is the result of an engineering process which takes the strands of natural bamboo and presses or laminates them together to produce a very strong and attractive material.
The different methods used by various manufacturers are one reason for the variation in patterns and shades that are available.
Bamboo floors referred to as ‘Solid Bamboo’ are created in a lamination process similar to engineered hardwoods, where the layered cut bamboo is pressed together under immense pressure of steam, heat and force.
The wood is naturally very strong and durable but further strengthening treatment during the manufacturing process means that this product is actually even stronger than oak.
Bamboo is a fast growing grass which grows in high, narrow stalks that are cut into individual strips, glued together in many layers and made into flooring planks by applying heat and pressure. This method produces a structurally strong and solid bamboo floor.
Carbonized Bamboo
The process of making carbonized bamboo involves steaming or smoking of the bamboo.
This process is a bit like cooking the bamboo – what actually happens chemically is the sugars inside the bamboo caramelize, turning to a brown hue which in turn darkens the bamboo to a beautiful caramel shade.
All of our bamboo floors are then finished with satin lacquer which not only provides an attractive appearance but also makes the floor itself stronger, more durable and easy to clean.
Horizontal or Vertical Flooring
There are options of vertical and horizontal bamboo flooring – each of which comes with its own benefits – and these are manufactured with different methods.
A vertical pattern is made from bamboo strips that had been laid on edge, with the wider faces of the strips bonded to each other.
The horizontal pattern in bamboo flooring is made from wider strips laid on top of each other to give it its overall thickness. It is typically three-plies thick on a 15mm floor.
Not only does bamboo work well and look great in areas like the living and dining room, it can also be a fantastic option for your bathroom.
This is because while wood can soak up water and expand – as well as contracting when it gets too dry – bamboo is grass.
It has a high capacity for dealing with moisture thanks to its origin in the tropics where it high humidity and rainfall are very common.
