Stained Bamboo Flooring

Bamboo flooring can be made using either a plank type method where the bamboo pieces are laminated together into planks for flooring or it can be woven together to make stranded bamboo flooring.

Homeowners trying to decide which kind of bamboo floor to choose might be confused as to what the differences in each one are and why they should choose stranded bamboo.

Bamboo planks are made by using thin strips of bamboo that are pressed together the either glued or laminated to make the flooring planks. These are strong and durable and an excellent flooring choice.

Stranded bamboo flooring is made from the excess pieces left over from making the plank flooring. These pieces of bamboo are woven tightly together, coated with an adhesive and then tightly compressed and allowed to set up. The resulting material is then cut into planks to be used as flooring.

Stranded flooring is stronger than plank bamboo flooring due in part to the adhesive coating and compression period. However, its main strength comes from the weaving process. As basket weavers can attest, weaving materials together creates a tightly locked bond that is superior in strength to unwoven materials of the same kind.

Coloring stranded bamboo flooring is the same as it is with standard plank bamboo flooring. It can be left natural and light, which is beautiful in itself or it can be colored.

Colorization of stranded bamboo can be done using carbonization or stains. Carbonizing the bamboo produces a deeper color but is still natural. On the other hand, staining bamboo flooring can produce any color desired. As with any wood flooring, the bamboo will have variations in it due to its natural grain being different throughout the wood.

Things to Consider

There are a few important details to take into consideration before deciding on stranded bamboo flooring. The main considerations concern the installation process.

Using nails to install the flooring can be very difficult and hard to do. The weaving process creates a very thick, strong flooring that can crack and tear during the process of installing. This is why gluing the flooring is the preferred method of laying the flooring.

Professional installations are the preferred method as they are not only skilled at the process but they are typically liable if they damage any planks and will have to replace them, a small but possibly money saving tip to remember.

Bamboo can be used in virtually any room in the house with the exception of the bathroom or any room that is exposed to high amounts of moisture. Even though bamboo is naturally moisture resistant, long term exposure to water can cause the boards to warp.

Regardless of which type of flooring is chosen, plank flooring or stranded bamboo flooring, the final product will be long lasting, and the envy of the neighborhood.

How To Clean Bamboo Floors

After installing your laminate floors the next thing that you need to learn about is how to clean laminate floors. The first thing that you should know about cleaning laminate flooring is that it really only needs minimal care. It is a good idea to sweep your laminate regularly. By sweeping your floor you will be removing dirt and debris that could wear down the finish on your laminate floor or that could potential discolor your laminate floor.

Some laminate flooring manufacturers also recommend that you use a cleaning solution periodically to remove sticky substances from your floor, or to remove mud and other moist debris. These cleaners are also recommended on a periodic basis to help restore the finish of your laminate floor. The manufacturer of your flooring product probably will have their own brand of laminate floor cleaner and refinishing spray.

In addition to sweeping and cleaning your laminate flooring with a cleaning solution you may also need to occasionally replace damaged boards. This can be very difficult to do. One method is to use a skill saw to separate the damage board from its neighbors. Simply place the blade on the joint and press down. This will saw through the tongue and groove and allow you to remove the damaged board. If this is a glued floor then you will need to saw off the tongues on the new board as well so that it will fit in the space left by the damaged board. Apply wood glue to all four edged of the replacement board and insert it into the open space. Wipe away excess glue. That is all you will have to do to maintain your laminate flooring.

Floating Bamboo Flooring

Bamboo flooring enjoys considerable popularity because of the high quality of bamboo as well as the durability of the flooring. It is considered an excellent hard surface, similar to oak and other hardwood flooring. There are a number of ways to install bamboo flooring. One of the easiest and fastest ways is the floating method.

Floating bamboo flooring is done by putting down a layer of plastic and foam on the surface of the subfloor, which may be tiled, concrete, wooden, or even nailed and glued down. Then, bamboo boards or planks are attached to one another by means of a water-based glue and are placed as a whole on top of the layer.


Floating bamboo flooring, cross laminated like plywood, is considered much more stable than other common floor installations. In nail-down and glue-down methods, expansion and contraction may occur in individual boards, which in turn leads to gapping and warping of the floor. This is not the case with floating floors, as the whole set up is treated as a single unit. Moreover, bamboo boards are attached to one another at the edges and not to the subfloor. Floating bamboo flooring can have a ceramic finish or an aluminum oxide finish.

Floating Bamboo Flooring

Bamboo boards used for floating bamboo flooring are wider in size, which makes it easy to install on any type of subfloor. Glue is not used in between the subfloor and the bamboo board. As a result, there is no emission of toxic materials when installing over concrete flooring.

Floating bamboo floors need expansion areas as do other types of bamboo installations. It is possible to install natural and carbonized bamboo, which are in horizontal or vertical styles.

Engineered Bamboo Floor

Engineered Bamboo Floor

Black Bamboo Flooring

Black Bamboo Flooring

Bamboo Laminate Flooring

If you’re looking for a modern and a cheap flooring solution, then the best option for you is definitely the laminate floor. The bamboo laminate flooring, for instance, is very popular, especially in Europe, due to the fact that it offers the impression of real wood flooring, and mainly because it is very cost-efficient.

Although it is quite difficult to even compare hardwood flooring with the laminate flooring, there are plenty of providers that create high quality laminate flooring that can compete with the real hardwood flooring. One type of high quality flooring is the bamboo laminate flooring. This type of laminate flooring is highly appreciated because it is the perfect alternative to its much more expensive counterpart, the real bamboo flooring.

What Are the Advantages of Using Laminate Flooring?

First of all, as I mentioned above, it is obviously much cheaper than the real hardwood flooring. Second of all, the laminate flooring is maintained clean very easily because it is extremely resistant to the external damage. This is a very important aspect, especially if you have pets or children in your house.

In case you have chosen simple laminate flooring or bamboo laminate flooring, you have to also take into consideration these practical aspects. The laminate flooring is resistant to scratches and it is easy to be maintained, things which makes it the perfect choice both for your household and for your office or your place of work. Moreover, the laminate flooring is easy to install and, as concerning the aesthetic aspect, it is much similar to the hardwood flooring.

Everybody prefers cheaper flooring. Nowadays, the popular laminated flooring is in competition with the oak flooring or the bamboo laminate flooring, because it is the price that makes the difference. The designers recommend for the modern interior designs the ‘warm’ flooring, including the laminate flooring.

In fact, laminate flooring is not real parquet because it is made of a ‘photo’ that usually imitates a species of wood and that is applied over a mixture of wood - but this doesn’t lower its quality. The laminate flooring is really resistant and it is usually used in spaces with high traffic, such as the commercial places. It is very important that the laminate flooring is applied correctly, because otherwise the flooring will not last for too long.

Why Do Customers Prefer Bamboo Laminate Flooring?

The high demands in the domain of the bamboo laminate flooring are justified by its low costs and because this type of laminate flooring is already finalized, it is durable and refined. The bamboo laminate flooring is brought to the merchandisers from countries like Zaire, Mozambique, Tanzania or Congo. All high quality laminate flooring, especially the one made of exotic wood, have as a source the original country. No bamboo ‘photo’ is to be created or man-made. This is a very important aspect for the quality of the finite product.

Bamboo Flooring Unfinished

Bamboo, a grass once conjuring up images of Pandas and rickety boats, is now being used to make quality wood floors in many North American homes. Bamboo laminate flooring is both an excellent building material and environmentally friendly; bamboo is easily renewable and matures in only five years. It is durable, strong, hard, and dimensionally stable.

Grown in China and Southeast Asia, the many species of bamboo being used for bamboo laminate flooring are harvested after four or five years, cut into strips, dried in the sun, and then laminated either vertically or horizontally into two- or three-layer pieces. Horizontally laminated planks are referred to as "face grained," and vertically laminated planks are "vertically grained." Planks vary by color, which usually comes in natural shade or carbonized (darker). Carbonized bamboo is treated with heat to give it a more amber color.

After the initial processing, the bamboo laminate flooring planks are cut into various sizes and finished with a stain. Typical finishes include; no-stain (a natural look and color), glossy (distinct shine), and matte (mottled appearance). Matte-finished laminate bamboo flooring is typically more scratch-resistant than the glossy finish. Unfinished or no-stain flooring gives the buyer more choices for finishing the flooring.

Bamboo flooring installs in the same manner as standard hardwood flooring. It can be glued to the subflooring, installed over plywood and particleboard, or nailed with a nail gun (pneumatic nail guns are preferred). After installation, laminate bamboo flooring is as easy to care for as typical hardwood floors. Entrance mats for dirt, daily dusting/sweeping, and quick cleaning of spills is all that is necessary for long-lasting, beautiful bamboo flooring.

Not to be confused with the bamboo mats that are strung together out of thinly sliced bamboo reeds, bamboo flooring is a high-quality option to make an aesthetically pleasing, beautiful floor in any home or office. Besides the benefit of helping the environment, a laminate bamboo flooring also adds a stylish, beautiful floor that will add value to your property and last for many years.

Bamboo Flooring Quality

Bamboo Flooring Quality

Here's some information to help you choose between them.

If you're interested in bamboo flooring, it's important to know as much as possible about it. While bamboo can be produced in a sustainable and non polluting way, not every farmer is doing so. Some people are growing bamboo with large amounts of unnecessary fertilisers and pesticides, which can pollute the environment and endanger animals. Also, labour practices on some bamboo plantations are problematic.
However, a large amount of bamboo being produced for flooring is also being grown responsibly. That means that if you're concerned about the impact and ethics of your bamboo flooring, a little bit of research ought to tell you whether or not the product you're considering is worthwhile. Check to see if there's a stamp from a certifying organisation to tell you that your flooring has been grown using sustainable management.

Bamboo flooring can also range in hardness and colour. Unlike wood, which is tinted or dyed, bamboo is treated with heat to obtain darker colours. The darker the colour, the softer the bamboo will be, though it's still harder than many hardwoods. If hardness is an issue, lighter bamboos will be a better choice.
Bamboo floor construction can also be variable. Look for flooring that's made using the lowest number of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and which uses glues that contain no formaldehyde. These glues are better for your health, as well as for the environment and make bamboo flooring part of a healthier, more sustainable home. Look for non toxic, environmentally friendly finishes, too.
Because of the structure of bamboo, there are no solid bamboo floors. They come in either laminated pieces or as part of an engineered floor. The thickness of the bamboo layer on engineered laminates can vary. There are also manufactured tongue and groove bamboo products made from bamboo flooring waste. Colours range between natural and dark amber, because of carbonisation. Various types of bamboo flooring are installed in different ways. Some are glued, while others are nailed and there are even some floating types of bamboo floor.

Bamboo Floor Covering

Many people desire to decorate with green materials whenever possible. Buying environmentally friendly products is not always easy. Bamboo flooring is one of many green flooring options. Bamboo is sustainable, high quality, and continues to look good as it wears and ages.

Strength

Bamboo comes from Asia; it is both a traditional food plant and a building material. Because it is a grass it is more sustainable and quick growing than traditional hard woods from trees. Many people are surprised to find out that it is 10% stronger than Red Wood. Besides being used as a flooring material, bamboo serves many decorative and functional purposes. Bamboo screens to divide rooms are an especially popular décor item. This popularity and versatility extends to bamboo being used for kitchen work surfaces, and even to make kitchen utensils. Besides looking good, being green, and strong, bamboo has one other practical quality. All floors, especially hardwood, expand and contract with changes in temperature. Bamboo, however, does this to a much lesser extent than traditional hardwood materials, which means it often looks better longer after installation than other types of flooring.

Color

When choosing a bamboo floor you have two color options. The treated, or "carbonized bamboo" is amber in color, and the natural material tends to be lighter in color -- almost blond.

Grain

Besides color, you can personalize your floor by selecting the cut. If you tend to like simpler patterns and high modern styling, then you may decide on a vertical cut. If "country chic" is more your style, you may choose the more complex horizontal cut, because the cuts tend to show up the nodes. Be sure to shop around and look at samples before buying, this will ensure you pick out a floor that best suits your decorative tastes.

Installation

Installing bamboo flooring is about the same degree of hassle as putting in other types of floors. If you decide to forego professional installation, it may be easier for you to install the "click and lock" type of flooring. This type has pieces that snap together to form a sort of floating floor without the need for messy glues or adhesives.

When choosing a green, sustainable, and long-lasting floor for your home, bamboo is one of the best options out there. Bamboo has a wide appeal and can increase the beauty and resale value of your property. It also tends to wear very well over time so if you have a large family and/or pets creating high traffic throughout your home, you can still decorate in a stylish and sustainable way.

Prefinished Bamboo Flooring

The idea of waxing and polishing one’s hardwood floors has pretty much disappeared from the homeowner’s memory. Realizing the user-friendliness is now a requirement for product success, hardwood flooring manufacturers have created advanced urethane flooring finished which can be applied at their factories and which dry under ultraviolet lights in a matter of minutes.

The Finishing Process

Because the finish is factory applied, it will be put on the flooring in a dust-free environment, and several thin coats are applied each being dried under ultraviolet lights before the next is added. Most prefinished hardwood flooring has between six and ten coats of urethane, producing a highly wear resistant result.

While both Polyurethane and Acrylic urethane will produce a clear hard finish, the durability of prefinished hardwood flooring can be enhanced with the addition of either ceramic or aluminum oxide particles to the urethane; aluminum oxide is the favored additive because of the abrasion resistance it provides.

Finally, acrylic-impregnated prefinished wood flooring is strengthened by having acrylic injected into its fibers, and sealed with a urethane “wear layer.”

For those who are having homes built. Or a mew floor installed, the use of prefinished hardwood flooring eliminated the extra wait involved while their hardwood floors are sanded, stained, varnished, sanded again, and varnished again. Trying to put six to ten coats of varnish on and unfinished floor, and having to wait for each one to dry, would try the patience of Job himself--not to mention the fumes of sawdust and varnish permeating the entire house.

Prefinished hardwood floors are also low-maintenance. A weekly vacuuming with a soft brush, and a vacuum with rubber coated wheels, followed by a swipe with the cleaner/shiner recommended by the floor’s maker which you’ll be able to find at the retailer which sold you the flooring, is all that’s required.

Disadvantages of Prefinished hardwood Flooring

Prefinished wood flooring, however, is not without its drawbacks. One of them is that, in order to make allowances for any irregularities either in the sub-flooring or in the flooring itself, prefinished wood flooring is usually produced with beveled edging. While beveled edges are usually less conspicuous than square ones, they can be a hindrance during sweeping or mopping.

And the number of colors available in prefinished hardwood flooring is still rather limited, although the flooring manufacturers are doing their best to introduce new ones. But trying to custom match a new prefinished hardwood floor to the existing floors in your home may be very difficult.

Golden Arowana Bamboo Flooring

Golden Arowana is a trademark of Wellmade Wooden & Bamboo Products in Nanjing, China. Golden Arowana is one of the finest bamboo floors made by Wellmade. The quality control standards that starts during harvesting and continues until maturity ensures it to be a premium quality in Asia and abroad.

The quality of Golden Arowana bamboo flooring has been successfully compared with any other bamboo flooring for testing the class and superiority. It has emerged with excellence and meeting the desired standard of value-brand manufacturing in bamboo flooring. Wellmade hosts their own site on the internet gives you a precise and valuable tour to Golden Arowana bamboo flooring.

Golden Arowana bamboo flooring like all other bamboo floorings is a natural and renewable resource for home décor. It is an inexpensive way to make your home look great and feel warm with its glaze and natural colors that soothes your living style. It is eco friendly and called the Green Alternative rightly by many sensitive home lovers and architects, who support the use of environment friendly natural resources at every stage of the life cycle.

Golden Arowana is harvested between 5-6 years when it becomes the tough grass to be used for flooring. Whereas, hardwood takes a very long time to be re-harvested or replenished. Golden Arowana bamboo flooring is as firm as any natural hardwood floor. It is hardwearing, stain fighting, and moisture-resistant in nature. Pre-finished bamboo floors are installed immediately just by nailing and gluing and takes less than a day to be ready for heavy use. Denting and scratching are less visible on laminated bamboo floors and there are simple ways to cover up these marks easily.

Golden Arowana bamboo flooring is harder than red oak and this guarantees its resilience in comparison to hardwood floors. Golden Arowana is not treated with any harmful or hazardous chemicals that could be injurious to safe living. If you vacuum your home regularly then your floor will not accumulate any dust that sometimes might cause allergic reactions.

Golden Arowana is bonded and laminated with formaldehyde emissions of .02 ppm, which is significantly less and meets almost all European and US standards for hazard free living.

Moreover, Golden Arowana is designed finest and coated best for perfect glazed finish. It is double coated with aluminum oxide for better performance and longevity. It is manufactured with special care so that the floor is naturally dust, dirt, and allergen resistant. It is protected with UV coats to prevent fading. However, with prolonged use if color fades it can be refinished and redone repeatedly.

Buy Bamboo Flooring

Buy Bamboo Flooring

Bamboo is a great "green" option for home flooring. Because bamboo is a grass rather than a tree, it is more eco-friendly than other hardwood floor options. Since it can be harvested every six years, bamboo is a renewable source. Bamboo also is more durable than many hardwood floors. Here are some tips for buying bamboo flooring.

Bamboo Flooring Durability

Why Is Bamboo For Me?

With a warm and inviting look, a bamboo floor makes a great addition to any house. The great durability and ruggedness of the material makes it a perfect choice for high traffic homes such as those with very active pets or even children. Strand woven bamboo is one of the most stable woods suitable for wood floors Bamboo is also very eco-friendly. It can be planted, grown, and harvested with little to no impact on the environment around it. Due to its rapid growth process, bamboo is much more eco-friendly than the other slower growing hard woods.

Some of the other benefits of a Bamboo Floor include:

Easy to clean
Allergen Free
Can be sanded and refinished just like other hardwood floors
Coordinates easily with any room décor
Excellent for commercial use or high traffic areas
Environmentally safe & friendly
Moisture resistant
Minimal shrinkage / minimal expansion
Aesthetically sound
Less sanding and refinishing than most other hardwood floors
So Why Does Bamboo Hold Up So Well?

Bamboo is a naturally durable wood. This combined with the process of lamination that it goes through to produce the end result planks creates a product that is extremely resistant to damage.

TIP: One thing to consider when choosing your floor is whether to choose standard bamboo or strand woven bamboo. While both are quite beautiful, strand woven bamboo planks are actually made from strips of bamboo that have been compressed and bonded together. While this leads to a tougher product than even regular bamboo flooring, it can sometimes be limited on color choices depending on which supplier you decide to use.

But What If?

One thing that most people worry about with wood floors in general is "what if I spill something on it?" Never fear, unlike most hardwood floors, as long as it does not sit for a long period of time, spills will not affect a bamboo floor like it does a standard wood floor. Also, clean up is a snap! Just a simple dry mop and a little bit of vinegar water will have it looking good as new. If the unimaginable happens and you have *queue the dramatic music* a scratch... No worries! Bamboo is very easy to sand and lay down a little finish. Ta dah! Good as new and no expensive replacing or other such headache.

Tip: It is possible that over time the finish on your floor may fade. To be able to keep the color change as even as possible you should try changing your furniture around from time to time. This will allow the entire floor to get equal amounts of wear. Some manufacturers are selling bamboo floors that are said to resist fading. This would be a definite option to keep in mind!

No matter what the reason for choosing your new strand woven bamboo flooring, you will be able to enjoy it for years to come. With an unmatched durability you will be pleased with your beautiful new bamboo floor.

Bamboo Flooring Care 3

Bamboo flooring is very durable. What's more, it is not difficult to maintain - by following just a few simple tips you can make sure it continues to look beautiful for years to come.

In general they must be kept free from dust and dirt since they can cause scratches on the floor. The best thing to do is to sweep the floor clean with a soft broom to avoid damage from harsh particles. It is a good idea to use wipe mats at doorways and entrances to minimize the transfer of dust and dirt from footwear.

Treat Your Bamboo Flooring Well

As far as possible, avoid walking on your new floors wearing high-heeled shoes or dirty outdoor shoes. Pressure can cause dents. The rugs you use on your floor should also be of the sort that is suitable for bamboo flooring. Since bamboo floors need to breathe, avoid rubberized rugs. Rubber can also discolor the floor.

Make sure you place protective pads preferably made of thick fabric or felt under the legs of furniture like chairs, tables, cupboards, etc. If you happen to have furniture with caster wheels, use fabric based caster cups under them. Avoid dragging heavy furniture across the floor as it can cause great damage to your floor.

Changing Places Since bamboo flooring can fade over time, it is a good idea to change the location of your furniture and rugs so that the fading is uniform all over.

Avoid Direct Sunlight

Bamboo flooring types react to direct sunlight and fade. If you have large windows that let in sunlight, you might want to use screens or curtains to protect your flooring when the rays are intense.

Miscellaneous Bamboo Flooring Care Tips

It goes without saying that any spills should be mopped up right away as they can be absorbed by the bamboo floor if ignored. Some stains can be practically impossible to get rid of. This can be avoided by timely care. You can get the best out of your bamboo flooring's durability and looks by following these maintenance tips:

* Use doormats and rugs to take the damp, dust and debris that can scratch your flooring.

* Mats and rugs must be colorfast or they can bleed onto your floor making it look unsightly.

* Vacuum your floor.

* For sticky spills, wipe as quickly as possible with a soft damp cloth. Avoid steel wool and other cleaning pads that are abrasive.

* Avoid strong cleaners or chemicals that can damage your floor.

* Do not wash your bamboo floor. Avoid dampness of any kind.

* Don't wear athletic or football cleats and sharp high heeled shoes when you walk over your bamboo flooring.

* If you have pets, trim their claws.

* If you love indoor plants, make sure there is a drip pan under the pots with space below it to allow the flooring to breathe.

* Avoid using wax, oil, soap and other household cleaners on your bamboo floor.

Most manufacturers provide tips for bamboo flooring care at the time of installation and recommend specific cleaning products. Also, you don't want to lose the warranty by violating the care instructions. It is worthwhile to follow these instructions to keep your flooring looking great for a long time. Taking good care of your bamboo flooring will allow you to enjoy it and avoid expensive repairs.

Bamboo floors are environment-friendly and make a great alternative to hardwood floors. Here are some bamboo flooring care tips that can keep your flooring looking new for decades.

Bamboo Flooring Care 2

Bamboo Flooring Care 2