The Honest Truth About Bamboo Flooring Durability
Homeowners have been using bamboo in their homes for many years and some people have only the best comments about its durability and how it wears over time but other homeowners feel as if they have been sold a product that is inferior.
Because there is such a large difference in the quality of bamboo manufacturing we feel it is important to inform the public on how this flooring is manufactured so you know what you are buying and you can ask the important questions that will save you from re-installing your floor in 3-4 years.
Did You Know Bamboo Is A Tough Grass And Not A Tree?
Unlike hardwood flooring, bamboo is not a tree but a grass that grows extremely fast and can be harvested several times a year by cutting off the stalks and leaving the roots intact. The roots are important for two main reasons 1) it holds the top soil intact preventing soil erosion and 2) new stalks will re-grow creating a sustainable source of raw material. Because of these 2 qualities all the major organizations have designated bamboo as a renewable resource.
Bamboo Has To Be Strengthened Before It Can Be Used
Raw bamboo is a soft material and is not recommended as flooring until it goes through a manufacturing process to make it durable enough for your home. Once it has undergone a strengthening process the finished flooring is as durable as the toughest hardwood floors on the market.
The manufacturing processes includes:
At harvest the bamboo stems are parted from their natural green outer skin. These strips are then boiled and dried which will remove all the starch and moisture content that will make it resistant to bugs such as mites.
The color of the bamboo is determined during the boiling process. The higher the temperature during boiling will change the light color stems to the dark rich tones that are associated with carbonization
The bamboo strips are then adhered together in a variety of durable patterns which will enhance their strength as well as provide a unique design. The most common designs used are horizontal, vertical and strand woven patterns which are equally durable.
All tesoro woods bamboo flooring receives a durable top coat which is the most important factor when it comes to the durability of your flooring. There is a wide range of finished from UV cured acrylic polyurethane to aluminium oxide finishes.
Both finishes are extremely durable with little difference between the two types when it comes to strength.
As we have discussed, the manufactures of bamboo have gone to extreme lengths to make sure your flooring will last to in your busy lifestyle. The customers who have had problems with bamboo are typically customers who have installed solid bamboo floors and hired a contractor to finish the flooring on the job site.
Either the contractor chose a inferior product or they did not apply the proper coats at the time of finishing. That is why we always recommend engineered bamboo flooring because the quality of the top coat finish can be controlled at the time of manufacturing.
This makes sure that the finish is applied properly so there will be no issues with uneven wear of your bamboo floors.