Plank floors are some of the easiest to install, especially when the tongue and groove installation is used. There are many different types of this kind of flooring, but for the purposes of the following information this will cover bamboo flooring planks and as well as other options in this type of floor covering. Get ready for some really useful information you can use as a guide for finding just what you need for your home floors.
Floating is one of the easiest forms of installation for floors. There are click and lock or glue planks that require an underlayment like cork or foam for cushioning and is also used as a moisture barrier. Not all bamboos are able to be floating floors, so make sure to get the information you need about the various installation types before you buy. Some of this kind of floor covering should be installed by a qualified contractor.
Various Types of Construction
Distressed – Distressed bamboo flooring has a very distinctive and unique look. Man times the planks are taken through an 11 step finish process which makes them quite durable and moisture and scratch resistant.
Carbonized – This is a construction heating process that darkens the color of the bamboo’s planks. The darkening occurs during the heating process and causes the sugars in the wood to darken various areas to a coffee tone. This can weaken the wood’s hardness up to 30%, but since it’s already 2x stronger than oak that’s not really a bad thing.
Vertical – This has to do with the orientation of the slats when creating a plank or tile. Each slat is placed in the vertical position and then laminated together side to side.
Horizontal – This also refers to the orientation and direction of the bamboo slats and pieces used in tiles and planks. They are arranged in the horizontal direction and then laminated through a high pressure system.
Strand Woven- This process involves heating the slats, weaving them together (like basket weaving) and then using a high pressure process to complete the construction. This is the most durable and sturdy of all other types of bamboo flooring.
The various brands of bamboo flooring include Morning Star, Teragren, Premium Green, Woodstock and Preswick to name a few. Each has its own variations of the above construction and installation options and a huge selection of natural, carbonized and carmelized planks.
