How
to buy quality bamboo flooring
In
the same way that all oak or jarrah flooring are not alike,
there’s a wide range of grades and qualities of T&G bamboo
flooring. As a consumer, one might not be aware that some
bamboo flooring can warp or have high levels of formaldehyde
released from the lamination glue. Here are some useful tips
to help you choose a good quality, hardwearing bamboo flooring.
Ask
questions. If you have bought from a reputable company, they
should supply you with technical facts. Then ask the following
questions….
Does
it Look Good?
Like
purchasing a house, your first impression of the bamboo flooring
is usually the most reliable. It is a beautiful flooring that
looks like a timber floor, unlike the cheap laminates that
sound and look hollow. Take time to obtain samples from a
few bamboo flooring suppliers. Make sure that all the strips
are the same width and thickness. The tongue-to-groove fit
should be precise, giving a smooth finish. The variation of
colour should be slight. When bamboo grows in direct sunlight,
the flooring is darker. Good manufacturers will try to even
out the variation in colour by mixing the batches grown in
the sun with the lighter ones in the shade. Otherwise, bamboo
flooring can have a mottled appearance.
Is
the Bamboo Straight?
Bamboo
that is well manufactured is straight and resistant to warping.
Bamboo has an outer covering that is harder than the inside.
Strips cut from bamboo naturally want to bend in a predictable
fashion. A good quality bamboo flooring will have strips with
an even thickness to avoid unbalanced stresses in the board
and arranged so that the forces associated with natural flex
tendencies balance each other out.
Is
it Toxic?
95%
of interior use hardwood plywood is manufactured using formaldehyde
adhesive. At room temperature, formaldehyde is a gas and will
tend to vaporize. Formaldehyde based adhesives can be formulated
so that very little formaldehyde is available for release.
There are European standards that specify the maximum release
of formaldehyde from the glue. At present, Australia does
not have any regulations. Ask for flooring glues that conform
to European standards. It’s also possible to source bamboo
flooring using formaldehyde free glues if you are allergy
prone.
How
Durable is it?
During
the manufacturing process, the bamboo strips are subjected
to bleaching with powerful oxidizing agents like hydrogen
peroxide to oxidize troublesome organic matter and pests.
If this is overdone, the agents can soften the product and
leave behind residual oxidizing agents that can react with
finishes and produce peeling of the finish at a later date.
There are also different grades of lacquer finish, including
a commercial German grade that is more scratch resistant.
Is
There a Manufacturer’s Warranty?
If
you’re still in doubt about the quality of the bamboo flooring,
ask your bamboo suppliers if there is a manufacturer’s warranty
for structure and finish. Apart from word of mouth, buying
from a reputable company and your judgement, that is your
best guarantee that the bamboo you have purchased is well
made, long lasting and hard-wearing.
