Why Bamboo?
BHW Floors · Teragren
Why Bamboo?
Beauty for a lifetime. A green, durable alternative to hardwood — harder than red oak, more stable, and truly one of nature’s most renewable resources.
Bamboo is a green and durable alternative to hardwood. Naturally, you need to cut down a tree to produce hardwood, but because bamboo is a grass, it takes significantly less time to grow and harvest — about 5 years compared to 20+ years of tree growth. Bamboo is truly one of nature’s most renewable resources. It is comparable in strength to the mightiest Northern Red Oak trees, yet it withstands contraction and expansion compared to traditional hardwood, and is more impervious to moisture than wood.
The warm and rich tones of bamboo products enrich any environment, and would be an excellent fit for any commercial, residential, or retail space. Designers and architects have found its use in homes, offices, hotels, and retail shops to be unique, elegant, and tranquil.
Bamboo Flooring Facts
Not only is bamboo more durable and elegant compared to hardwood, but it is a heavy staple in the green movement. Bamboo is not a tree, but a grass — it’s one of the fastest-growing plants on Earth. All bamboo plants have potential to grow to full height in a single growing season (three to four months), and it’s not uncommon for bamboo to be ready for harvesting three years after it’s planted.
Harder than red oak according to extensive ASTM testing — average hardness of 1,640 (27% harder than Northern Red Oak)
50% more stable than red oak due to moisture content changes
Slip resistance of 590 static coefficient — exceeds OSHA’s workplace recommendation by 300%
Unaffected by termites and carpenter ants after anti-pest treatment
Easy to clean — ideal for people with allergies
Passes NFPA life safety code with Class 1 rating — suitable for all building types
Available Bamboo Products
Flooring Types
Bamboo Mouldings
Stair nosing, threshold, reducer, ¼ round, baseboard, and treads — available to match all bamboo flooring collections.
Shop Bamboo AccessoriesMaintenance
Bamboo flooring can be maintained through these simple tips. Mop, vacuum, or sweep with a soft bristle broom daily or as necessary to remove dust and grit. Place walk-off mats at all entrances to capture harmful dirt before it reaches the floor. Use soft felt floor protector pads under all furniture legs and keep them clean. Keep high heels in good repair — an unprotected heel can dent the floor.
Scuff marks and stains should be removed by lightly rubbing with wood floor cleaner and a cloth. Never pour water directly onto a bamboo floor.
Installation Requirements
Prior to any bamboo flooring installation, the installer must determine that the environment and sub-surfaces meet or exceed general construction standards. The sub-floor must be dry, stiff, and flat. Do not proceed with an installation without having an inspector test your floor.
Before Installing in a New Building
- ›Building should be closed in with all doors and windows in place
- ›All concrete, masonry, framing, drywall, and paint must be dry
- ›Exterior grading must direct water away from the building
- ›Do not install bamboo flooring in full bathrooms
- ›Basements and crawl spaces must be dry and well ventilated
- ›Room temperature of 60–75°F and humidity of 35–55% for 14 days prior to installation
Sub-floor Requirements
- ›Clean: Sweep and scrape free of debris
- ›Level: Flat within 3/16″ in 10′. Fill low areas with cement levelling compound (minimum 3,000 PSI)
- ›Structurally sound: Nail or screw any loose areas. Replace water-damaged sub-flooring
- ›Dry: Check moisture content with a reliable moisture meter
Preferred sub-floors: ¾″ CDX plywood, ¾″ OSB. Also acceptable: existing solid wood, vinyl, resilient tile, cork, concrete, ceramic tile with ⅝″ CDX overlay.
Identifying Moisture in Concrete Slabs
Bamboo flooring can be glued directly to concrete. All concrete sub-floors must be tested for moisture content — visual checks are not reliable. Acceptable test methods:
- ›Calcium Chloride Test: Maximum moisture transfer must not exceed 3 lbs./1,000 sq ft
- ›Tramex Concrete Moisture Encounter Meter: Readings must not exceed 4.5 on the upper scale
All concrete slabs should have a minimum 6-mil poly film moisture barrier between ground and concrete. Test several areas, especially near walls.
Delivery & Acclimation
Handle and unload bamboo planks with care. Store in a dry space. Flooring should not be delivered until paint has dried and all doors and windows are in place. Concrete should be at least 60 days old prior to installation. Bamboo flooring should be stored in the environment in which it is expected to perform.
Urethane Adhesive Notes
Allow a minimum of 72 hours adhesive curing time before applying seals, stains, and finishes to unfinished flooring. Hold trowel at minimum 45° angle firmly against sub-floor to obtain a 50–60 sq ft per gallon spread rate. Urethane adhesive has a 60–90 minute working window — always read the container label. Keep container tightly closed when not in use to prevent thickening. Install from several cartons simultaneously to ensure good colour and shade mixture.
See www.nwfa.org for additional installation guidance. Background courtesy of BHI.
Ready to explore Bamboo Flooring?
Browse our full selection from BHW Floors and Teragren — or request free samples to see and feel the difference.