A little known fact: bamboo is technically not a tree at all, but a grass that includes over 1,000 species. Even without planting, bamboo naturally grows back, and it reaches maturity in only four to five years. These qualities make bamboo an excellent, forest-friendly source of wood for flooring.



Bamboo is a part of the grass family. The bamboo family has around 1000 species, with some being the largest grasses reaching heights up to 30 m. With a tree like appearance, it is one of the fastest growing plants. Bamboos are mostly round in shape, though some species are square shaped. Structurally, bamboo has a spine surrounding it with stems jointed by nodes bearing evergreen or deciduous leaves. Unlike other grasses, bamboo is extensively branched, with a single stem carrying thousands of branches.

Bamboo is generally found in diverse climates from hot tropical regions to cold mountains and from jungles to high mountainsides. Areas with no native bamboo include Europe, North Africa, Western Asia, North America, most of Australia and Antarctica.

Bamboo flooring has many remarkable qualities that make it equal to or better than many other “wood" flooring options. It is as hard as hard maple, and has been confirmed as harder and more stable than red oak. Maintenance for bamboo flooring is no different than for other pre-finished wood floor products -- frequent sweeping or vacuuming, spray cleaners, and occasionally mopping. Environmentally, the impact on world forests would be dramatically lessened if bamboo flooring were more widely used.

After harvesting, cutting, processing, and finishing, bamboo flooring installation is not much different from standard hardwood floor installation. The important steps in installation occur before putting in the bamboo floor. First, make sure you buy from a reputable manufacturer who is willing to back up their product with a warranty.

The next step in bamboo flooring installation is making sure the subfloor is dry, clean, and level. Dirty subfloors will not bond well with the adhesive, and subfloors that are not dry will eventually cause rot. If not level, the bamboo flooring will squeak when walked on. If you are competent in home repair and good with your hands, you may be able to complete the bamboo flooring installation on your own. In some cases, with certain types of bamboo flooring, a professional will be needed.

Bamboo flooring may be glued down using a moisture barrier flooring adhesive. After applying the adhesive to the subfloor with a trowel, the bamboo flooring planks should be immediately placed. You may also install bamboo flooring using a nail gun over plywood or particleboard. Once starter rows are secure, subsequent planks should be nailed directly above the tongue at a 45-degree angle to face.

After installing the bamboo flooring, you will care for it in a similar way to hardwood floors; frequent dusting/sweeping, occasionally mopping, and use of wood cleaners. With regular care, bamboo flooring will add a stylish, beautiful component to your home for many years to come.