Bamboo Flooring 101

 

Bamboo flooring sales grew over the past few years. This type of flooring is perceived to be attractive, affordable, durable, and eco-friendly by homeowners.

Another reason why bamboo flooring is popular is because it looks, feels, and cuts like hard wood even though it is a grass species. In fact, it is much denser than maple and oak making it a better option as a flooring material. It also grows fast and can be harvested after just four or five years.

Bamboo flooring also comes in different patterns and designs. It is available in more than 50 different pre-stained colors, even though the grain pattern and natural color of bamboo are both rather subtle. Pre-stained colors range from soft cedar tones to bright reds and greens.

Types of Bamboo Flooring

Bamboo floors are already finished when you buy them so you wouldn’t have to worry about finishing processes.

There are basically two types of finished bamboo flooring: engineered planks and solid-bamboo planks. Engineered planks are typically installed using the floating-floor method. Wide planks are snapped together and laid over a thin foam-rubber underlayment. This method of installation is quick because the flooring isn't attached to the subfloor in any manner.

Solid-bamboo planks, on the other hand, are installed similarly to traditional hardwood flooring. It is fastened down with nails or staples. This installation method is more time-consuming. The good thing is it produces a permanent, rock-solid floor.

Types of Solid-bamboo Planks

There are three types of solid-bamboo planks: the vertical-grain solid strip, the flat-grain solid strip, and the strand bamboo. Vertical-grain bamboo is composed of thin bamboo strips stacked on edge and glued together. On the other hand, flat-grain bamboo, the most common type among three, is made up of thin, flat strips of bamboo that are stacked on top of each other and then laminated together. Lastly, strand bamboo is made from super-thin and shredded bamboo fibers that are mixed with resins and pressed into rock-hard planks.

Whichever type of bamboo flooring you buy, be reminded that each typically comes in pieces measuring 1/2 to 5/8 inch thick and 3-1/2 to 7-1/2 inches wide. In terms of length, the available lengths range from 36 to 72 inches.

SoKo Flooring and Interiors

13194 US Hwy 301 S. Suite 205 Riverview, Florida 33578

813-384-8513

http://www.sokoflooring.com/