Bamboo

Phyllostachys spp.

Top of sample is finished with water-based finish. Bottom is finished with oil-based finish.

Appearance

Color: Typically available in light (manila/yellow tones) or dark (tannish brown) shades. Colors vary between manufacturers.
Grain: Distinctive grain pattern shows nodes from the bamboo stalks.
Variations Within Species And Grades: Available either horizontally or vertically laminated. Horizontal construction tends to show nodes more prominently.

Properties

Hardness/Janka: Bamboo is a grass. Janka values vary widely between various manufacturers & between horizontal & vertical construction.
Dimensional Stability: Engineered construction
Durability:

Workability

Sawing/Machining: Cuts easily with most tools.
Sanding: Due to its unique, fibrous structure, bamboo should not be sanded across the grain or at at 45-degree angle to the grain. Its light color tends to show swirl marks, other sanding marks & finish imperfections, much as a light maple floor can.
Nailing: No known problems
Finishing: All surface-type finishes have been used successfully with bamboo. Darker colors may tend to show lap marks-moving quickly during application and applying finish quickly around cut-in areas can minimize this effect. Filling is recommended.
Comments: Most available factory-finished. Because product is rigid, careful attention should be paid to flatness of subfloor.
Origin: Asia. Majority made in China with some from Vietnam.

Availability

Readily Available