FAQs

Can bamboo flooring be stained?

Yes. A professional finisher can stain bamboo that has not already had a urethane applied at the factory. If you want to stain the bamboo, order our unfinished plank. The evenness of the stain will compare to oak and the sanding process is the same.

Will it cup of delaminate?

Vertical or three ply horizontal bamboo flooring will not delaminate under normal conditions. We guarantee our bamboo against delaminating for as long as you own the property. Bamboo is very stable and will not cup as long as:

	There is not an excessive amount of moisture
	You have provided for 1/4 inch expansion around the perimeter of the room
	The correct glue, 100% urethane adhesive, or felt paper is used

Should you ever use wax?

Wax is generally only used in commercial installations to protect the floor against unusually heavy traffic. Waxing requires a constant maintenance program, which is a common practice with commercial accounts but is not favored by homeowners. A maintenance program for recoating your floor with a floor urethane can be obtained by your flooring installer

How is bamboo flooring installed?

Installed like all solid hardwood floors, bamboo flooring can be installed above or below grade. It can be glued down on concrete using a urethane-based adhesive, provided the moisture vapor level does not exceed 3 pounds per 2,500 square feet, (see flue manufacturer warranty on moisture). It can also be nailed down or floated. Our 6 feet long Jumbo board, (6 5/8" inch wide), is particularly well suited for a floating application. Because of its unique construction in the 3 ply perpendicular core, it is the most stable bamboo plank available.

Are accessories available?

Yes. We stock 6 foot long quarter round, reducers, tee molding, end caps, and stair nosing, as well as 72" x 12" wide stair treads. All accessories are available pre-finished.

Can bamboo flooring be installed over radiant heat?

Yes. Please check with the National Wood Flooring Association for information.

What about the finish?

Our product has 3 coats of Acrylic Urethane, which is a very tough and stain resistant form of urethane. The first coat is applied to completely cover the plank. The additional coats are set through a conveyer line with UV drying lights. The resulting finish is very resistant against spills from most chemical solutions. When necessary the floor can be easily recoated by applying an additional coat of urethane formulated for floor use. If seriously damaged, the floor can be sanded and refinished up to 3 times depending on the depth of the damage. Laboratory testing results of this process are expected soon.

What kind of maintenance is necessary?

Maintenance is simple: Vacuum or damp mop as needed to remove loose dirt or grit before it can scratch the surface. For hard to remove spots, use ammonia and water or a citrus based solvent, or a urethane floor cleaner.

Preventive maintenance goes a long way in assuring a long lasting beautiful floor. Below are a few suggestions:

	1. Use dirt trapping walk off mats. Place them inside and/or outside the entry doors. This is your first line of defense, as they will remove sand, small pebbles and grit from entering your house.
	2. Make sure that you use felt pads on the feet of all chair legs not equipped with a minimum of 1 1/2" wide plastic barrel type caster wheels.
	3. Make sure that high heels are in good repair. A 100 pound woman in worn down high heels exerts more PSI pressure than an elephant and will surely dent the floor!

What puts a greater force on a bamboo floor?

A two ton car?

An African elephant?

A 125 pound woman with high heels?

Measured in pounds per square inch, (PSI), a car has a load of 28 to 30 PSI, an elephant 50 to 100 PSI, and a 125 pound woman with high heels, when she takes a step and those hit the floor, 2,000 PSI! That's a problem for any floor, metal, bamboo, wood, ceramic, carpet, terrazzo and resilient.

Stiletto high heels are popular and all customers should be made aware that bamboo floors may be damaged by the extreme force involved. Dentition will occur from the heels themselves, and even more so from protruding nail heads. An exposed nail head can exert a force of 8,000 PSI! High enough to pulverize hardened concrete. Those heels!