Bamboo Flooring

Bamboo flooring is manufactured from “Moso” species of bamboo plant so it is environment friendly. Bamboo flooring is gaining popularity day by day. It is easy to install and is also good for those who suffers from allergy because bamboo flooring do not encourage dust etc.

“Moso” species of bamboo.

There are many types of bamboo flooring; which differs in its manufacturing process and is based on economic viability and local preferences.

Thin bamboo stems are most commonly used. They are cut to similar lengths and can be stained, varnished, or simply used. They are nailed down to wooden beams or bigger pieces of bamboo stems. This form results in more space between each bamboo stem, flatness and tightness is not emphasized. This technique is usually used on stilted houses, resulting in better air circulation especially during the warmer summer months.

(This Picture is Contributed by "Condeliza")

Bamboo-mania

The other types of bamboo flooring is made with the bamboo by spliting and flattened, dried, and then laminated in layers with glue under high pressure. Manufactured bamboo floors are typically made available in planks with either vertical- or horizontal-grain orientation.
            
Strand woven bamboo flooring is another type of bamboo flooring which is prepared with strand bamboo which are woven and treated with adhesive. The material is compressed until it setup. After this it is cut according to the requied length for flooring. 
     

Installation of Bamboo Flooring

Installation of bamboo flooring should be done with care by skilled workers who know their job very well. Defective installation can spoil the look of bamboo flooring and reduce the durability of flooring. Installation steps of bamboo flooring are given below.

1. Base Coat under bamboo flooring:

• Earth should be compacted properly with the help of watering and ramming.
• Sand piling should be done which will help to ensure proper compaction of the earth under floor.
• Lay 100 mm thick fine sand on compacted earth.
• After laying fine sand, lay 100 mm thick cement concrete in the ratio 1:8:16.

It must be ensured that the base coat laid is fully compacted by the hand rammers or with surface vibrator

2. Leveling Concrete for Bamboo flooring:

• A layer of leveling concrete should be at least 25 mm thick.
• Cement concrete should be in ratio of 1:2:4.
• It should be laid in proper slope and in level.
• It should be perfectly compacted.
• It should be cured for 7 days.

3. While Laying Bamboo Flooring:

Before starting laying bamboo flooring, the planks should be tested according to the requirement of bamboo flooring.  

• After dring the leveling concrete surface, the surface should be cleaned  before  lying  the floor.
• Bamboo floor is fixed by nailing process in which  the planks are laid down and nailed or  steppled  to the sub floor.
• Bamboo floor also laid by floating floor method in which  bamboo planks are laid on  sub floor and bamboo planks clicked (joined) or glued together. This flooring gives cushion like feel.
• Bamboo flooring is also laid by gluing down concrete floor. First the concrete floor is leveled by leveling compound. Clean the surface of floor   of any dirt or chemical or any oily substances which may react with the floor. Then bamboos flooring planks or tiles are laid on the glue applied on concrete surface.    
• The layout of bamboo flooring is simple process; and one can lay this flooring by using necessary tools.
• The material of bamboo flooring should be stored at least for one week at the site before fixing to get atmospheric moisture. 
   

Advantages of Bamboo Flooring

• Bamboo flooring are that it is light in weight.
• Bamboo flooring is very easy to clean and maintain.
• It is durable and hard.
• It has an attractive look.
• Bamboo flooring is not too cold during winter season and not too hot in summer season.
• Raw material used for bamboo flooring is easily available.