Woven Stranded Bamboo is better described as Strand Bamboo for the simple reason these products are made of bamboo fibers left over from other manufacturing processes and glued together, not woven and glued together. The general process was invented in Zhejiang, China, in 1989 and relatively new to the flooring industry. This low tech process is inexpensive yet brilliant due to the end result being materials stronger, denser and more stable than many wood flooring products. As with anything else, careful selection of raw materials, glue quality, drying to equal moisture content and manufacturing processes vary widely with the results being unexplained flooring failures throughout North America.
Manufacturing stranded bamboo with either the “COLD PRESS” or “HOT PRESS” process is the critical decision facing manufacturers of Stranded bamboo flooring products. Quality and product performance depends directly on this process. American made stranded bamboo uses the “HOT PRESS” method used by U.S. Flooring at their plant located near Dalton, Ga while most products in China are produced using the “COLD PRESS” system. Energy is limited and costly in China. Drying the fibers to equal moisture content and hot pressing require abundant energy resources and increase costs significantly. The "cold press" process creates a strand bamboo log which is compressed under ambient conditions then heated to cure. The "hot press" cures the material while it is being compressed and is far more consistent in results of moisture content and equal density compared to the Cold Press method.
Whether using the cold press system or the hot press system, consistency in curing allowing the boards to be the same moisture content from end to end and thickness, and glue quality are the two main factors in producing stable stranded bamboo. Glue used is often suspect and often produced with carcinogenic chemicals when produced outside the United States and Canada. Flooring inspectors are aware of this health risk that somehow makes it's way into our homes and familiar with labs and lab tests required to determine the amount used in manufacturing.
Properly manufactured Strand Bamboo is a magnificently “green” flooring product capable of performing for years, if not a lifetime. Asking retailers questions concerning origin prior to purchasing and being cautious of “good deals” may be wise if the purchase is for use in your own home. |
