Deep carbonized Bamboo Decking

Bamboo has proven to be a versatile and functional floor choice for homes, offices and other facilities. However, understanding some basics of the construction process can help to make the right flooring choice from the start.

Bamboo flooring typically is constructed in one of three different forms: horizontal, vertical or strand-woven (ii). Horizontal and vertical bamboo floors are considered to be engineered products, providing the look of bamboo but significantly strengthening floors by laminating the bamboo to a stronger wood species as a sub-layer.

Strand-woven bamboo is considered to be a solid flooring product and is the strongest of the three types of flooring. It also contains lower proportions of potentially toxic adhesives. It is formed under intense pressure that makes it more resistant to moisture changes.

If properly harvested and manufactured, bamboo floors can be as durable and strong (or even stronger) than traditional hardwood floors. However, because of the variables, there are some specific moisture content (MC) precautions we recommend.

Special Moisture Precautions for Bamboo

If bamboo is the look you want, there are four things to consider in order to prevent moisture-related problems in your bamboo flooring:

Moisture Meter Settings – When installing the flooring, the source and the construction can influence the ideal moisture level for each environment, and the species setting or specific gravity (SG) can vary greatly depending on the manufacturer’s source and process. (It’s worth noting at this point that there is no standardized grading system for bamboo.)

Engineered or Strand Woven? – If your flooring is an engineered product, it might be necessary to adjust the depth of your wood moisture meter readings to check both the top (bamboo) layer and the subfloor species. Both types of wood need to have reached a balance with the job site in order to prevent moisture-related flooring problems, and to not develop separation problems in the product itself.

Environmental Controls (HVAC) – Some recommend that those in regions with high humidity not use bamboo floors (i) due to the unpredictable rate of expansion and contraction during the seasonal changes. For installers in these areas, acclimation is crucial! After installation, it is important for homeowners in these areas to carefully monitor room conditions (temperature and relative humidity) to prevent potential problems.

Acclimation – The best way to avoid problems for any flooring product is to be sure that it has reached equilibrium moisture content, or EMC, with the space in which it will be installed. Unlike most wood floors, it can expand along its length, as well as its width, and strand-woven bamboo can take significantly longer than another flooring to acclimate. The room must be at service conditions, and sufficient time must be allowed to let the floorboards reach EMC before installation begins. Use an accurate wood moisture meter, and don’t begin installation until the product has reached a stable MC level