While shopping for bamboo flooring there are many things to consider. You need to determine the plank size, style, color, and even installation method. However, you can take help from flooring dealers and installers. You can find them in local online directories. For example, Flooring Domain is a leading online directory for professionals and customers in Australia for surface treatment for asphalt.
Bamboo flooring is produced from the bamboo plant. It is an eco-friendly and sustainable option. It offers the appeal of hardwood flooring but at a low cost. There are several factors to consider while buying bamboo flooring.
Quality
The grading system that dealers use to define bamboo material quality is Grade A and B which is arbitrary. There is no standard system for rating bamboo material quality. So, you will need to look for an established and reputable dealer that sells high-quality material got from credible sources. Never get carried away with low rates because the outlet may be selling poor-quality bamboo flooring material.
Warranty
Reputable flooring suppliers are 100% certain about their product quality, so they offer a warranty. The warranty of bamboo is generally structural integrity that covers the flooring materials’ physical strength. If you choose pre-finished flooring then you can achieve a surface warranty.
High-quality bamboo floors for residences have an extensive warranty. It is 10 to 25 years on structural integrity and 5 to 10 years on finishing.
People in the US can look for reliable bamboo flooring dealers on Flooring Domain, an online directory similar to Yellow Pages.
Relative hardness
- Strand woven bamboo is similar to Brazilian Cherry hardwood in terms of strength and durability.
- Natural Bamboo is similar to Red Oak hardwood in looks and longevity.
- Carbonized bamboo reflects softness like black walnut hardwood.
Strength & durability
Bamboo strength depends on multiple factors.
- The darker the shade of the bamboo flooring the less hard-wearing it is. The dark shades are caused by the carbonization process. The bamboo undergoes a high level of pressure and heat, which changes the color but weakens the material.
- Harvesting time also impacts hardness and durability levels. The perfect time to harvest bamboo stalks is around 6 years after plantation. Late or premature harvesting can offer a weak material.
- Strand woven bamboo material is extremely durable because of its manufacturing process. The bamboo stalk is shredded and reconstituted into a block via heat, pressure, and bonding agent. The block is then dried, milled, and cut into flooring planks.
Maintenance
In comparison to hardwood flooring, bamboo floors are easy to clean. Vacuum or sweep around daily and damp mop once a week. Bamboo flooring can be discolored, scratched, and dented over time. It depends on flooring material quality. However, you can sand, stain, and refinish from time to time. If it is engineered bamboo then you cannot sand or refinish it.
Surface treatment
Bamboo material price is heavily influenced by UV coating type. Poor quality material has 2/3 coats but an ideal one must have 6/7 coats on every side of the plank. It prevents moisture from penetrating inside. Which is the best surface treatment to be applied? Learn about this on Flooring Domain, a popular blog and review site.
