Bamboo

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sample is ¾-by-3 inchsquare-edge solid strip.

Top portion is finished with water base urethane; bottom with oil modified polyurethane.

 

Appearance

 

COLOR: Typically available in light (manila/yellowtones) or dark (tannish brown) shades. Colors vary between manufacturers.

 

GRAIN: Distinctive grain pattern shows nodes from the bamboo stalks.

 

VARIATIONS WITHIN SPECIES AND GRADES: Available either horizontally or vertically laminated. Horizontal construction tends to show nodes more prominently.

 

Properties

 

HARDNESS (JANKA): Bamboo is a grass. Janka values vary widely between various manufacturers and between horizontal and vertical construction.

 

DIMENSIONAL STABILITY: Engineered construction.

 

Workability

 

SAWING/MACHINING: Cuts easily with most tools.

 

SANDING: Due to its unique, fibrous structure, bamboo should not be sanded across the grain or at a 45-degree angle to the grain. Its light color tends to show swirl marks, other sanding marks and finish imperfections, much as a light maple floor can..

 

NAILING: No known problems

 

FINISHING: All surface-type finishes have been used successfully with bamboo. Darker colors may tend to show lap marks-moving quickly during application and applying finishquickly around cut-in areas canminimize this effect. Filling is recommended.

 

COMMENTS: Mostly available factory-finished. Because the product is rigid, installers should pay careful attention to the flatness of the subfloor.

 

Availability

Readily available