Back in the mid 90s when bamboo hardwood flooring planks made the scene (became popular that is), and was marketed as the new eco-friendly option for flooring, It was not the quality you find these days.

Even though bamboo grows just about anywhere, in China, where most of the bamboo used for flooring (among other things) were first harvested, natural habitats were destroyed and many times the bamboo harvested before maturity to keep up with new demand. Because of premature harvesting, the bamboo flooring products it made were not the best quality for strength. Many flooring products coming out of Chins simply buckled or cracked.

This was not the beginning of something great as it is today. In fact, bamboo got an unsavory reputation because it was a difficult product to work. Not so anymore.

In 2011, there are several well-known brands of bamboo, including Eco Timber and Teragren. They are much more eco-friendly too.

These days, companies guarantee the bamboo is harvested at maturity (best for the strongest performance). Instead of harvesting in the first few years of growth, it is now harvested 5-6 years after planting. This also makes the bamboo flooring planks easier to put in and very hard-wearing.

Additionally, most of the bamboo made into planks for flooring is harvested from plantations, not natural habitats. Noteworthy: Most flooring companies go to great lengths to point out that the species of bamboo used in flooring is not the same pandas consume. When bamboo is harvested, the plant itself is not killed off.

It is heavily promoted among bamboo hardwood flooring companies that bamboo stalks release more oxygen into the environment than the same amount of hardwood trees would. Also, it is said that bamboo plants hang-on to more carbon than trees. This offsets the carbon released during shipping from China.

While bamboo has made milestones, the Forestry Stewardship Council states that because bamboo used in flooring is grown in China, it's not always possible for the companies to monitor working conditions. This is why advocacy is vital. Demanding that companies ensure and police harvesting techniques will even further improve the strength of your typical bamboo flooring plank. Just as the fiasco in Brazilian Rain Forest created a nightmare with over-deforestation, we would not want a repeat. Even if bamboo grows rapidly and is more readily available, you don’t want to tap out one source exclusively either.  

Bamboo flooring is classified as hardwood flooring. Since its popularity boom, it has proven to me worthy of this standing.

When you shop for your planks of bamboo flooring, you will see that it is priced in the same category as a medium-priced hardwood, but it is stronger than red oak. Bamboo flooring planks can be glued, stapled or even floated when putting in place.

Now, people actually request bamboo flooring when they walk into a flooring store, it isn’t just the option they tell you about anymore, it is requested. Obviously, as you are reading this article, you know it is searched for a lot online too! While shopping online has become the way to go for competitive pricing and education, it was all about eco-friendly, earth-conciencoius buyers, now it is mainstream thank you very much.

Bamboo is naturally light tan. Bamboo planks can be carbonized, meaning they are super-heated, which emulsifies the sugar in the bamboo fibers, producing an amber shade. It can be stained any color well and is available in several beautiful pre-shaded varieties and patterns too.

Because bamboo is now being processes in many forms and variations, it is that much more attractive to consumers who were (even up until the past few years) given few options. These options were usually carbonized (dark) or not carbonized (light).

Even in the past two years we have noticed a huge variety change at the recommended stores here at BambooHardwoodFlooring.net.

Bamboo flooring planks and styles now available expose the knuckles of the stalks almost creating a marbling effect too. You will definitely see more detail in the grain of your typical bamboo planks these days.

There is the sleek, clean-line approach of vertical bamboo flooring planks.

Engineered bamboo planks are made with 1/8-inch-thick bamboo over a backing, which is sometimes made from eco-friendly, recycled materials.

Woven bamboo planks, contain strands that are shredded and pressed together under extreme pressure creating that strong performance yet has a unique marbling.

These days, bamboo can be sanded and refinished like any hardwood, giving consumers the chance to go completely “custom” with stains.

Bamboo also absorbs more moisture, creating a long lasting floor.

So, let us just say that yes, you’ve come a long ay baby.

Recommendation: Try being green when you stain by using eco-friendly (low or no VOCs) products and supplies!

Check out BuildDirect.com they have a great selection of styles such as natural stain, red or darker shaded, and our favorite, Glueless Locking Strand Woven - Tiger. This is beautiful and very affordable!

If you have any additional questions about bamboo flooring, strand woven bamboo, or any other type of bamboo flooring, be sure to visit our homepage to find out detailed info on processing and how bamboo flooring comes to life. Bamboo flooring is good for your wallet, durable, and great for the planet! Why would you consider traditional hardwood floors anymore?

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Just How Green is Bamboo Flooring Anyways?

Bamboo is more than amazing flooring! Bamboo clothing is the cotton of the 21st  century

Eco-Friendly Websites Resources Page

The BambooHardwoodFlooring.net webmaster may be reached via its parent site, Bee Nest Biz @ info [at] beenest.biz