About Bamboo
Part of the grass family, some 1,400 species of bamboo grow in a variety of climates and habitats. But most products are made from moso bamboo, which is cultivated in China and elsewhere in Asia. The fastest-growing plant on earth, bamboo can shoot up as much as three feet in a single day, and moso stems can reach 75 feet high and seven inches across—making Chinese bamboo farms feel more like forests than fields.
Unlike tree logs, the hollow, tubular stalks can't simply be sawed and finished into planks. The most common strategy is to slice the stalks into narrow strips, plane them flat and boil them to remove pest-attracting starches. Manufacturers then dry the strips in kilns, glue them together in flat bundles, subject those to heat and pressure, and finally mill and finish the bundles into conventionally shaped flooring planks or plywood sheets. (Shreds of bamboo can also be soaked in adhesive and pressed into blocks or panels.) Some flooring and plywood retain their original blond color, some are steamed to a darker shade and some are dyed.
Bamboo is one of the world's most prolific and fastest-growing plants, and is able to reach maturity in about four years, compared to the typical 25 to 70 years for commercial tree species in the U.S. Though most people are generally familiar with this beautiful and graceful plant, the average person is usually astounded when learning that there are more than 1000 documented uses of bamboo.
Bamboo is actually a tropical grass, with an extensive root system that sends out an average of four to six new shoots per year, naturally replenishing itself and growing to heights of 50 feet or more. Some bamboo species grow up to 4 feet per day and can be harvested every 3 to 4 years. As a result, bamboo is one of nature's most sustainable resources since it is naturally regenerative.
Bamboo and the environment
“Bamboo is one of the best opportunities farmers have in most of rural China,” says Manuel Ruiz-Pérez, a professor at the Autonomous University of Madrid who has studied bamboo alongside Chinese scientists for the past 15 years. Opportunity has a dark side, however: in the past, the increased demand tempted growers to clear natural forests and replace them with bamboo—a practice Ruiz-Pérez calls “completely crazy” from an environmental standpoint, because it erodes biodiversity and reduces the carbon capture benefits. But since the Chinese government reformed its forestry policy in the late 1990s, forest clearing for bamboo has been less common, according to Ruiz-Pérez, who has studied bamboo cultivation patterns using satellite imagery. “I’m not saying it doesn’t happen, but we haven’t seen it recently. On the contrary, we see bamboo grown on steep slopes and abandoned agricultural lands”—where, he explains, cultivation is likely a net benefit to the environment.
Characteristics
Bamboo flooring is a highly durable buildingmaterial choice for any location subjected to extensive usage and can stand up very well to the abrasion caused by heavy use. It is tough enough to resist the impact of falling objects in the kitchen as well as in high traffic areas such as the living rooms and hallways. Warmth: Bamboo buildingmaterial provides a warm environment through its natural growth patterns. While many solid wood flooring materials create beautiful floors, some flooring contractors and homeowners seek a unique look that offers the type of look that could be described as "outside the box". But, they also need a type of flooring that still adds a level of coziness to an interior. Bamboo flooring gives your room a homey touch, providing comfort and warmth with a really good flooring finish. Environmentally friendly: Bamboo buildingmaterial is one of the most environmentally friendly options, because it is made from a highly renewable source. It is actually a grass that re-grows after it is strictly monitored and harvested. Bamboo does not require any chemicals for its cleaning and maintenance. Color: Bamboo buildingmaterial is available in two colors. One is a natural blond color that shows the unique growth patterns that matches every décor. The other color is a rich amber color, a stunning darker shade achieved by a boiling process that carbonizes the starches found naturally in the bamboo. It is therefore called carbonized bamboo. Cutting edge: Bamboo flooring is among the newest buildingmaterial options to appear on the market in the recent years. It is widely preferred by many and is highly appreciated by those who install it. Bamboo buildingmaterial provides a unique style to your building,home, office or garden with a beautiful appearance all of its own.
Facts:
· No illegal logging or destroying forests.
· Helps prevent global warming and climate change.
· No unpleasant odor.
· Kiln dried, bamboo has a very low moisture content.
· Bamboo is naturally very strong and durable with high tensile strength similar to steel.
· All our bamboo products are non toxic and non hazardous to the environment.
· Resistant to rot, mould and mildew.
· No splinters or leaching.
· High resistance to warping and twisting.
· Superior density and strength to most timber, being harder than teak, ipe, oak and maple species.
· Bamboo has high dimensional stability, meaning less swelling, cupping and shrinkage.
· Bamboo is lighter in weight, easy to handle and install using our hidden fastener system.
· Bamboo is easy to maintain, color and seal.
