Manufacturing Bamboo Flooring


Bamboo flooring originates from the bamboo stalk itself. After harvest, which takes approximately six years for more mature bamboos, logs are sliced into individual long strips and ready for further processing. Following the slicing process, strips are cut near the approximate width of what we see in the stacked horizontal bamboo appearance.

In most cases the next step is the darkening process that brings out the color of carbonized bamboo. Strips are often steamed under pressure (shown right). Natural colored bamboo keeps it's original appearance after being boiled to eliminate sugars and insects.

The carbonization process reduces the overall hardness of the bamboo; one reason why we don't advocate the darker bamboos in high traffic areas. They will show more damage given the right amount of punishment or use.

In most cases? Yea, we know it's a broad generalization. Unfortunately with bamboo there are no governing organizations such as what we have in the states with hardwood flooring. This is one reason we see very cheap priced bamboo being sold. Whether or not they follow practices to insure a quality product is in doubt. It's a real wild card when appealing low priced bamboo floors look attractive.

Following the purifying process inspection takes place to grade bamboo. There's always a market for good or marginal bamboos. Grades A or B are sorted. B grades are often sold to discounters who inevitably use it for their two dollar bamboo lines.

At this point, bamboo strips are often kiln dried to assure an acceptable moisture content. Final milling of strips take place. The final phase before finishing is gluing. During the production process, glued strips are assembled face up for horizontal flooring and side by side for the vertical construction. This is followed by hot pressing, where heat and pressure of up to 1,200 tons PSI binds the strips together.

Formaldehyde Glues?

Lower grade bamboos often use more formaldehyde resins in the gluing process. How much is not known, as once again, there are no governing organizations in China overseeing production. More quality, better known brands sold in the USA exceed indoor air quality requirements for formaldehyde emission.

Final Milling & Finishing

Once blanks (strips glued into boards) are completed milling takes place. Bamboo flooring is constructed the same as ordinary hardwood flooring with a tongue and groove system. However, common thickness can be found at 5/8" for solid 3 ply and vertical bamboo. Unlike traditional solid hardwood flooring that comprises one full piece of wood, each common 3 5/8" bamboo board consists of 15 strips for horizontal construction and 19 for vertical.

Finish quality will vary with all bamboo flooring. The same can be said with lower priced hardwood flooring, but we've run across several bamboos that lack anything resembling quality. To sum it up, it's like anything being bought or sold today; you get what you pay for. Our suggestion; choose proven brands or brand lines that are sold in retail showrooms.

Find more hot deals on bamboo flooring at Bizrate!

Related Pages:

• Bamboo Hardness Differences - Do they scratch?
• Bamboo Manufacturing
• Installing Bamboo Floors
• Bamboo Moisture Content
• Origin Of Bamboo
• Bamboo Flooring Styles, Appearances
• Bamboo Maintenance Problems
• Bamboo Photo Gallery
• Strand Woven Bamboo