The process of making bamboo flooring is as follows:
I. Background of bamboo
Bamboo is a self-regenerating grass that originated in China. Once harvested, it does not need to be replaced as it will continue to grow. Bamboo grows extremely quickly, maturing in about five years, which makes it a very environmentally friendly alternative to hardwood (which can take over 25 years to mature). Bamboo fibers are longer than wood and have excellent tensile strength. Bamboo flooring is becoming increasingly popular due to its strength, durability, sustainability and eco-friendly properties.
II. Harvesting bamboo
Most bamboo forests are hand harvested, which takes place every five years. Bamboo is color-coded by season and cut after the fifth year of growth. This approach means that the forest is not completely leveled and mature bamboo can be harvested every year. Harvesting bamboo does not damage the roots of the grass, which is self-reproducing, so it can continue to produce a healthy, abundant crop for future harvests.
III. Preparing the bamboo
After harvesting is complete, bamboo needs to be prepared for flooring. For horizontal and vertical bamboo flooring, the harvested bamboo is stripped of its outer green layer and cut into flat thin strips. For strand woven bamboo flooring, the raw bamboo is similarly stripped of its outer green layer and then cut, peeled and shredded into fiber strands.
These strips and fibers are then naturally boiled and dried in low-temperature kilns to remove any unwanted moisture. If the final appearance of the bamboo flooring is a carbonized color, the process begins at this point. The raw strips or fibers are smoked at high temperatures and under pressure to obtain a dark brown color. If a natural color bamboo floor is desired, the strips or fibers will retain their original appearance.
The raw bamboo is then inspected for any defects or blemishes and then stored for a few weeks to acclimatize to the manufacturing process.
IV. Different types of flooring made
Horizontal and Longitudinal Bamboo: Dry bamboo strips are bonded together horizontally or vertically using adhesives and a heat press and then processed into floor boards.
Horizontal bamboo flooring: bamboo strips are glued together in a horizontal arrangement to make the floor.
Vertical bamboo flooring: bamboo strips are glued together in a longitudinal arrangement to make the floor.
Strand woven bamboo flooring: single fine fiber strands are woven and compressed with resin under extreme high pressure to form a solid piece of woven bamboo yarn, which is then processed into individual floor boards.
V. Finished Bamboo Flooring
The planks of horizontal bamboo, vertical bamboo or strand woven bamboo are left for another three weeks to acclimatize.
The three different types of flooring now need to be finished with a varnish and fixing system, which will determine the method of installation. Bamboo flooring is first sanded and then coated with a lacquer to protect the surface. If color stains are required, they are added to the bamboo flooring before the lacquer layer is applied.
A tongue and groove or snap fastening system is added by milling the boards into the necessary shape.
A final protective coat of lacquer is added and the flooring is checked for imperfections and then sorted into different shades before being packaged and distributed.
