Compared to hardwood flooring, bamboo is a fairly new entrant in the market. So much has been its popularity in the last few years that most homeowners are all in praise of it. With its several types, bamboo flooring is sold as a ‘green’ floor product. Apart from its sustainability factor, bamboo is preferred by most floor manufacturers for its cost-effectiveness, environmental-friendliness and of course, the appeal factor.

This is not to say that the dependency on hardwoods has vanished totally. With people seeking for properties like hardness and tensile strength, the need for something modern has helped in the emergence of bamboo and that too, on a larger scale, like never before. However, a lot depends on the choice of bamboo flooring to be installed in the home.

The strand woven variety

Talking about a particular variety, the strand woven bamboo flooring is the toughest and best of all. It is basically the manufacturing process that distinguishes it from the others. Prior to that, it would make sense to mention that bamboo is not really wood, but grass.  It is a soft material that can be difficult to turn into a ‘wear-ready surface’.

To get to the basics, solid bamboo is used to make natural and standard planks. On the other hand, the strand woven variety is made from bamboo fibers, but not cut into strips. This particular type is created from the best species called ‘Moso Bamboo’. Here, the fibers are first softened prior to being pulled apart so that the strips are created.

Stages of making

Basically, strand woven bamboo flooring can be made in four stages:

- Firstly, ‘Moso’ variety stalks are cut

- Secondly, stalks get boiled for removal of sugars from bamboo. This is largely because the sugars attract termite and that can pose significant problems

- Thirdly, bamboo strands are then allowed to dry

- Fourthly, these strands are finally pressed and then flattened via application of pressure. During this stage, a glue or adhesive is added.

All this results in deriving bamboo plank that is no less than twice as dense as the normal and solid bamboo flooring.
Besides, pressing the bamboo into planks also ensures that the whole bamboo is used, without any wastage. If one looks at the compressed bamboo, it looks a lot like landscape timber. Ideally, the planks measure 6” in length. These are then milled so that all the four sides slide into each other and joins well too.

Considerations to keep in mind

At the time of using strand woven bamboo flooring, few things must be kept in mind.

There is no way you can nail it down. After all, no one would like to see he damage and cracked tongues, because this particular variety is known for its thickness. Also, one should never use engineered bamboo floors in combination with the strand woven types, since the core layer results in problems for the entire floor where it is used.

For those seeking a proper guarantee of a high quality floor that also promises durability and sustainability, the strand woven is the one to choose.

Cost concerns

Naturally when using a better quality material, the cost factor cannot be disregarded. However, it is lesser compared to traditional forms.

The strand woven bamboo flooring will be about 50% higher in price than most other varieties of bamboo flooring.

Why choose strand woven bamboo flooring

If you are interested to spend a little more and gain sufficient benefits in terms of aesthetic appeal, strength and environmental concerns, go for this.

There’s nothing like strand woven bamboo flooring when it comes to the stability and durability factor, especially for those areas where considerable population is present. It is a renewable resource and grows too fast.

Strand woven types are environmentally friendly. Though bamboo as a whole is known for it, but this particular type generates least waste. Even the excess materials that are discarded get utilized here, making it one of the most sought-after options.

Strand woven bamboo flooring is also very resistant to moisture than most other varieties. This indicates that the floor’s longevity is greater and definitely, a worthy investment.

Surely after all this, there will be no doubt about choosing it over most other types.