When trying to decide on the appropriate type of bamboo flooring for a home, learning about the various grain types, installation types, and color and texture types will help with the decision making process. Each grain, color, and texture type will present décor issues while installation methods may impact convenience and cost, as well.
Grain Types
When it comes to different grain types of bamboo, there are three main choices: horizontal, vertical, and strand-woven. Each one has different characteristics that will help buyers decide which type of bamboo to purchase and install in their home or business. The grain type to purchase depends greatly on the overall look the buyer is trying to achieve.
Horizontal Bamboo
Horizontal bamboo refers to planks that are placed next to one another facing in a horizontal direction. They are attached to each other this way before being pressurized and finished, randomly displaying the knuckles, or growth rings, of the stalk.
Vertical bamboo
Vertical bamboo refers to planks that are placed next to one another facing in a vertical direction. They are attached to each other this way before being pressurized and finished, creating a smooth uniform look.
Strand-Woven bamboo
Strand-woven bamboo refers to bamboo planks that are made from the remaining strands of the stalk trimmed away from the long bamboo fillets. These are compressed together with an adhesive before being pressurized and finished. Strand-woven bamboo is twice as hard as horizontal and vertical bamboo.
Installation Types
Choosing bamboo flooring for your home or business based on the installation type first is a wise decision because some installation types are more complicated and thus more costly than others. There are a few different installation methods that can be used for bamboo, including a nail or glue down process, a glue-seam floating installation, and a glueless-click installation. Regardless of the installation type chosen, be sure to purchase more bamboo flooring than required to finish the job, to account for mistakes in measurement, imperfection in boards and future repairs.
Nail Down/Glue Down
This process is similar to installing a hardwood floor. Since the flooring is very hard, it is nearly impossible to get the nails flush with the flooring using a standard hammer. The use of special, specific tools for the job, including an electric hammer or stapler, is very important to the success of completing this job correctly. There are different installation instructions and guidelines depending on the sub-flooring the bamboo is to be installed over. DIYers that are very experienced in this area can install this type of bamboo flooring, otherwise it is best to have a professional install the flooring.
Floating: Glue-Seam
This kind of installation requires an underlayment to protect the bamboo from the sub-flooring material. You may require a moisture barrier as well. It is important to lay out the flooring before adding any glue adhesive, because with how quickly the adhesive dries, it will be impossible to separate the flooring planks and correct any mistakes after just a few seconds. It is best to lay out the complete floor design and go back in sections with the glue. This can be done as a do-it-yourself job, but for the inexperienced, it is best left to professionals.
Floating: Glueless-Click
The simplest of bamboo installation methods, the glueless-click method does not require any glue or nails, so it is easy for those new to floor installation to do. The planks simply click together and fall into place. For those who are looking to install their own flooring and do not boast a lot of DIY experience, this is the best way to do it. There should be no concern about whether or not the floor will come apart after the installation is complete because the pieces will fit together very snuggly. The finished product will appear much like the other installation methods.
Color Types
When it comes to color types, buyers have several options: natural, carbonized, stained, and direct print. Each one of these options has distinct properties about it to help homeowners decide which one to use. Regardless of which color type chosen, the strength and durability of the bamboo remains the same, with the exception of carbonized which is softer than the other types.
Natural
Natural bamboo has no colorants or stains added to it. It has a very light, blonde type color to it. This type of bamboo is easy to find and goes with most décors.
Carbonized
Carbonized bamboo allows for the sugars in the plant to caramelize because the bamboo is boiled for a longer period of time. The caramelized sugars therefore add color to the bamboo. Depending on the length of time the bamboo is boiled and caramelized, the shades of bamboo will vary. Carbonized bamboo is softer than other types of bamboo.
Tiger
Tiger bamboo is made using a combination of natural and carbonized strips, creating a unique “tiger stripe” pattern.
Stained
Stained bamboo is treated with a wood stain to change the coloring of the material. Stained bamboo flooring is available in multiple shades, from light, to dark. The variety of stain options makes it easy to find one that matches any décor.
Direct Print
For homeowners who want the appearance of another kind of wood – such as oak, cherry, or maple – while still having the other benefits of bamboo, direct print bamboo flooring prints the patterns seen on other hardwoods onto the bamboo before it is pressurized and sealed.
Surface Texture Types
For surface texture types, homeowners and builders have three main choices: smooth, hand scraped, and hand sculpted. Each one will provide a unique look. Look at various samples of texture types before deciding which one to use.
Smooth
Smooth bamboo flooring is made by machine and coated with several layers of sealant. It helps to keep a dust free surface that is easier to clean and recommended for those who suffer from allergies or hay fever.
Hand Scraped
Hand scraped bamboo flooring is scraped by hand to give the floor and aged, “antique” look. It offers a unique approach to bamboo flooring in appearance in a home or business, and is available in a variety of styles and colors. This texture option typically makes the flooring more costly because of the manual labor involved in its creation.
Hand Sculpted
Hand-sculpted bamboo flooring is similar to hand scraped, but provides a less distressed look. This kind of bamboo is also usually done by hand and made to look older, or antique, so it too, will cost more.
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{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
I like the hand scraped bamboo but would realy like it in a dark hight gloss brown and rich. I would also like the flooring to be self installed without the use of glue or nail because it is going to be intalled on concrete. African walnut rose is one colour of choice.
Hi Gary,
Thanks for getting in touch. We do have several hand-scraped bamboo flooring options available, and I would be glad to arrange for you to be sent samples overnight so you can hold the product in your hand. The pictures online are representative of the product itself, but in my opinion it is always a good idea to get a sample prior to placing an order if you have the time.
With this particular style, if you are installing over a concrete sub-floor you will need to glue the product down in order to maintain the manufacturer warranty on the product. You want to use a 100% urethane based adhesive. The brand we carry is Complete Adhesive.
Let me know if you have any further quetsions and I will be glad to help out.
I’m interested in getting bamboo, but am wondering if I drop some oil paint on it, will it ruin the finish? Also, will my cat or dog scratch bamboo the same as our “engineered” hardwood? And finally, my bed is quite heavy, will it scratch the finish when we move the bed?
We are renovating our home and looking to put wood floors throughout. After a couple of trips to a local flooring distributor, we chose bamboo. We specifically requested nail down installation, but found when we returned to pick up our order, the second (less than helpful) salesman had put our order in as quick click installation. Before we go through the hassle of return and exchange, we would like our biggest question answered – will this floating floor be noisy?
This will depend on the type of underlayment that you choose to install over. If the underlayment you decide to use has an acoustical element to it, sound transfer/noise from walking over the floor will not be an issue.
IS THERE SO MUCH UPKEEP FOR BAMBOO FLOORING. WHAT DOES IT MEAN IF THE BAMBOO FLOORING IS CARBONIZED? WHAT ABOUT MAINTENANCE? WILL THE FLOOR
GET DULL OVER THE YEARS? PLEASE WE NEED TO KNOW BEFORE WE CAN DECIDE. WE
ARE VERY INTERESTED ABOUT THE BAMBOO FLOORING. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
Bamboo flooring requires relatively low maintenance. When a spill occurs, clean it up quickly and the floors will be fine. The floors are not good in areas of excessive wetness such as bathrooms, patios, etc. Outside of that, they are low maintenance, durable floors.
When a bamboo floor says that is it carbonized, that is referring to an initial boiling process which brings out the sugars and essentially caramelizes the wood. This brings out a different, darker tone yet potentially makes it softer, unless it is strand woven. Strand woven bamboo produces one of the strongest, more durable floors there is.
As far as longevity of the floor, our bamboo floors come with a semi-gloss finish and UV protection. This will protect against fading over the years.
You are very welcome and I hope I have helped you make your decision!
How about off gassing, is there any with bamboo. I had new carpets put in 2 months ago and want to rip them out because I still can’t live in the place with the off gassing, which does not both anyone else who goes in there.
Thanks
Hi Neil,
Our bamboo floors comply with the European E1 standard for safe levels of formaldehyde release emissions, which are stricter than those found in North America.
For our strand woven products, they are classified as “E0″ products which, by definition, is formaldehyde free. Any product that has less than 5 points per million for formaldehyde release emissions is conciered an E0. Any E0 porduct adheres to the strictest regulation in the world for release emissions.
In the general industry, if you are looking for bamboo, make sure they meet E1 or E0, or they comply with CARB (California Air Resources board) which is also a very strict requirement in California.
Rodney
Can bamboo we refinished like hardwood floors? If so, does this apply to all types of bamboo flooring?
Hi,
All types of Bamboo Flooring can be refinished.
Once the material has been sanded, you would need to reapply the protective layer and any stain that was removed during the process.
Thanks
How does bamboo rate on the Taber testing scale? I am concerned with scratches as our dog hunts scorpions when they come inside our home.
Which type(s) of bamboo flooring is recommended for use over a hydronic radiant heated floor?
I have 3 dogs and am moving into a new home soon. My oldest dog is blind and has become incontinent and urinates inside even if he’s just been walked. My fawn pug sheds. What is the best type of flooring for my situation?