Bamboo being a renewable resource is quite an ideal choice for flooring. Apart from the beauty, the environment-friendliness lends the material an upper hand when compared to its counterparts like wood. It is for this reason that homeowners and construction contractors are happy while using it for flooring requirements.

Types of Bamboo Floors

If you are looking forward to installing bamboo floors at your place, it makes complete sense to know the various types of bamboo floors.

The first is the solid one, which is available of varying lengths and is attached together with the use of nails or adhesive.

The second type is the engineered one that looks similar to the laminate flowing and can also float on the surface of other flooring. Now this type can be installed via a method called click and lock. The best part about this type of bamboo flooring is that no nails or adhesives are required to ensure that the floor is in place.

The third, often regarded as the best form is a little expensive because of the bamboo strands being woven together that offer it a high level of durability.

Factors to consider while making a choice

Prior to selecting the type, it makes sense to understand what the age of the bamboo is. Ideally, any high-quality bamboo flooring is made from bamboo cane that should not be less than 4 years. In order to mature, any bamboo plant requires a minimum of 4 to 5 years.

Besides, you should also check for the finish of the material. If the final lacquer finish of the bamboo flowing is good, then the lasting will also be great.

The Click-Lock Type

Talking about the click lock system in bamboo flooring, this kind usually snaps together or ‘clicks’ together to look exactly like tongue-and-groove flooring. The click lock or snap lock or simply snap together bamboo flooring (whatever you would like to call it) is fit as a DIY work. No extra tools are required and you don’t even have to clean-up or wait for the glue to dry. Simply install it at once and then use it within some time.

In contrast to other engineered floors, the click lock bamboo can be refinished 2-3 times. The former usually has a thin veneer of wood on top. But with click-lock floors, the durability is great and a re-sandable 1/8 inch thick wear layer of strand bamboo can be added to provide high dimensional stability. The floors are also humidity-friendly and are perfect for use in beaches, lakes, riverfront homes and so on.

One thing to keep in mind is that the click lock bamboo flooring are easy to take apart as they are when put together. Once you ‘unclick’ the boards, the job is done. So you need toe nsure few thinsg beforehand when choosing a bamboo flooring with locking or snapping together system.

Firstly, check to see that the product adjusts to the humidity of the room. Keep it for 72 hours before you begin the work. Imagine a dry winter day when your home’s heating system is kept on and the bamboo flooring is likely to shrink if the relative humidity drops below 40%.

Secondly, the sub-floor to be installed on should also be clean, dry, level and structurally fine. If you have to install on a concrete sub-floor, it is recommended to use a moisture barrier. Read the manual or check the website to follow the instructions. It is amazing but sometimes the most inexperienced homeowner can install the engineered click lock floors.
If you have a solid click-lock bamboo floor, there are a number of advantages. It’s easy to install and can be refinished up to 5 times. But on the flip side, the suitability is only meant for humidity conditions owing to increased shrinkage effect and that is exactly when humidity levels decrease by 15-20%.

On the other hand, engineered click-lock bamboo floor has very high dimensional stability. However, it can be refinished only 2 times and the maximum recommended runs only when the interior humidity will vary above 15% throughout the year.

Pay close attention to the type of flooring you require and only then select this one.