Strand woven bamboo flooring | Laminated bamboo flooring | Engineered bamboo flooring | Click lock solid strand bamboo | Click lock engineered rigid strand bamboo | Click lock engineered strand bamboo | Tongue and groove engineered strand bamboo | Tongue and groove solid strand bamboo | Tongue and groove classic bamboo | Advantages of bamboo flooring | Disadvantages of bamboo flooring | Cost of bamboo flooring in Australia | Hire a professional to install bamboo flooring
Bamboo flooring is manufactured from the bamboo plant above four to five years old and has gained popularity in Australia, and indeed across the globe, because it is strong, durable, eco-friendly and resistant to insects and moisture.
In the manufacturing process, the stems are harvested and then cut lengthwise into pieces prior to further processing into strand woven or laminated flooring.
Strand Woven Bamboo Flooring
The pieces are cut into finer strands which are then glued back together to form a beam or sheet from which raw boards are cut. They are then manufactured either by hot-press or cold-press process.
For the hot press process; pressure and heat are applied to form sheets that are cut into boards. For cold press; heat is applied to cure the adhesives after pressing the fibre into beams which are then cut into boards.
Laminated Bamboo Flooring
Small sections are machined in rectangular, they are then treated against insect attack and then kiln dried after which they are fabricated. The dry rectangular pieces are glued vertically or horizontally to provide the desired product.
Strand woven flooring products are denser and harder than laminated ones.
Engineered Bamboo Flooring
Plywood or high-density fiberboards are bonded with adhesives, heat and pressure and then a layer or veneer of bamboo is put on top.
There are 6 main types of bamboo flooring; Click Lock Solid Strand Bamboo, Click Lock Engineered Rigid Strand Bamboo, Click Lock Engineered Strand Bamboo, Tongue and Groove Engineered Strand Bamboo, Click Lock Solid Strand Bamboo and Tongue and Groove Classic Bamboo.
Click Lock Solid Strand Bamboo
Click Lock Solid Strand Bamboo is harder than traditional hardwood floors out there, as hard as ironbark, according to Janka hardness test. It is also eco-friendly because is made of bamboo that regrows. It is easy to install (the bamboo planks are just clicked and locked together), can be refinished up to 5 times, and has a wide range of surface styles to choose from.
Its only disadvantage is that it is not suitable for all environments; it should only be installed in indoor environments with very stable year-round humidity.
Click Lock Engineered Rigid Strand Bamboo
Click Lock Engineered Rigid Strand Bamboo has a wear layer that is up to 3 times harder than comparable floors. It is also eco-friendly because the wear layer is made of bamboo that regrows.
It is easy to install (the bamboo planks are just clicked and locked together), has a wide range of surface styles to choose from and is highly water resistant therefore is suitable for bathrooms, kitchens and basements. Its high-density core provides great stability which resists expansion and contraction.
Its only disadvantage is that it cannot be refinished, but it will last for decades without needing to be refinished because strand woven bamboo is tough.
Click Lock Engineered Strand Bamboo
Click Lock Engineered Strand Bamboo; its wear layer is up to 3 times harder than comparable floors. It is also eco-friendly because the wear layer is made of bamboo that regrows.
Also, installing it is easy, the bamboo planks are just clicked and locked together. It can be floated because it has a higher dimensional stability than solid flooring and can be installed in all places, including basements, and if the wear layer is at least 2mm, it can be refinished up to 2 times.
Tongue and Groove Engineered Strand Bamboo
Tongue and Groove Engineered Strand Bamboo; its wear layer is up to 3 times harder than comparable floors. It is also eco-friendly because the wear layer is made of bamboo that regrows.
It can be floated because it has a higher dimensional stability than solid flooring and if the wear layer is at least 2mm, it can be refinished up to 2 times.
The only disadvantage is that floating can be tedious and expensive because it requires manually applying a bead of glue on the inside groove of every plank.
Tongue and Groove Solid Strand Bamboo
Click Lock Solid Strand Bamboo is harder than traditional hardwood floors out there, as hard as ironbark, according to Janka hardness test. It is also eco-friendly because it is made of bamboo that regrows.
It has a wide range of surface styles to choose from; handscrapped, brushed, flat and more and refinishing can be done up to 5 times. There are several ways to install; it can be glued down to wood and concrete and nailed down to wood sub-floors and there are no run limits.
Note: A ‘run’ refers to the distance the floor extends in any given direction.
Tongue and Groove Classic Bamboo
Tongue and Groove Classic Bamboo is eco-friendly, it is made of bamboo that regrows. It is available in many colors and surface styles, giving it a modern, stylish look. Refinishing can be done up to 3 times and there are no run limits when nailed or glued down.
The only downside is that it is soft; softer than strand woven bamboo, therefore it dents and scratches easily and is not suitable for use in high traffic environments.
Advantages of Bamboo Flooring
Durable: Bamboo flooring is hard and strong, some like Tongue and Groove Solid Strand Bamboo and Click Lock Solid Strand Bamboo are harder than ironbark according to Janka hardness test and others like Click Lock Engineered Strand, Tongue and Groove Engineered Strand and Click Lock Engineered Rigid Strand Bamboo have a wear layer that is 3 times harder than comparable floors. Bamboo is also termite resistant and can last for about 50 years if cared for and maintained well.
Eco-friendly: Bamboo flooring is produced from a bamboo plant called Moso which regrows after every four to five years, and it is pruned not felled, making it good for the environment.
Variety: They come in different colors, stains and looks, giving the customer a wide variety to choose from.
Easy to Clean and Maintain: If properly finished, it can be cleaned with a mop and mild soap.
Refinishing: Refinishing can be done in some for up to 5 times.
Disadvantages of Bamboo Flooring
Expensive: Bamboo flooring costs the same as hardwood, it also incurs shipping costs because most of them are imported.
Susceptible to Damage: If it is not processed properly, the end product may shrink after being installed which leads to gaps and cracks. Carbonized bamboo flooring is softer and can scratch or dent easily. Because bamboo grass easily absorbs water, the flooring is susceptible to humidity, water damage, shrinking, warping, swelling and buckling.
Uniform Look/Generic: Bamboo flooring has a grain pattern which is quite uniform unlike hardwood flooring, so it can be generic.
Knuckles: Bamboo flooring, especially horizontal ones have knuckles—the nodes or natural growth rings on the stalks—this can be unsightly on the floor.
Cost of Bamboo Flooring in Australia
Several factors determine the cost of bamboo flooring in Australia, these are: the type of bamboo flooring, the thickness and width, installation cost (depends on experience of the installer). The accessories; underlay, quads and metal trims required for installation of bamboo floors, removal of existing floor, and subfloor preparation. Overall, it will cost anywhere from 116 AUD to 193 AUD, including installation.
Should you hire a professional to install Bamboo Flooring
Some bamboo floorings like click-lock are easy to install and might not require the work of a professional, but the ones that need to be floated will need to be done by a certified professional who can be obtained by contacting atfa.
