Construction Type

There are three main construction types of bamboo flooring: solid bamboo, strand woven bamboo and engineered bamboo. Solid bamboo flooring consists of types of bamboo flooring that have been made using thin strips of bamboo glued together either horizontally or vertically, to create different grain patterns on the surface.  Strand woven bamboo flooring is made by using the fibre strands of bamboo which have been compressed together to create a strong and durable flooring plank.  Strand woven bamboo flooring is available in either an engineered or solid format.

Which construction type of bamboo flooring should I choose?

The actual look of the bamboo flooring once it has been installed is not related to the construction type at all; the aesthetics of your floor are defined by the colour, surface finish and plank size.  It is a good idea to remember this when choosing a new floor. 

If the bamboo floor is for your home then the choice is really down to your personal preference of how the floor looks.  If you have a busy area in your home, or the bamboo is for a commercial property then we would strongly recommend strand woven bamboo flooring as it is strong, durable and stable.  To find out more about strand woven bamboo flooring then read our article: What is strand woven bamboo flooring?

How do I install the different construction types?

All types of bamboo flooring can be either floated over an underlay or glued directly down to the subfloor.  Solid bamboo flooring usually has a tongue and groove fitting profile so if you want to float it then you will need to glue the tongue and groove joints together.  If you have engineered bamboo flooring or solid strand woven bamboo then it is likely to have a click fitting system.  This can simply be clicked together over an underlay without the need for glue.  If your bamboo flooring has a tongue and groove fitting profile then you also have the option of secret nailing it to the subfloor.

If the bamboo is for a commercial property then it is advised that the bamboo flooring is fixed into position by gluing it to the subfloor with a flexible flooring adhesive.  This will provide the strength needed to withstand the high amount of footfall, whilst allowing the bamboo floor to flex and move as needed.

For more information on preparing your subfloor and fitting your bamboo floor, have a look at our Bamboo Flooring Installation Guide.

How do I maintain the different construction types of bamboo flooring?

Looking after your bamboo floor is relatively simple and straight-forward.  Aim to adopt a cleaning routine of daily sweeping to remove any dust and surface dirt, and then clean on a weekly basis (or as needed) with a wooden floor cleaning solution and mop to remove more stubborn stains.

For tips and advice keeping your bamboo floor looking its best read Bamboo Flooring Care Guide.

Further help and advice

If you have any questions about which type of bamboo flooring is most suitable for your home or project then please either contact us or pop into our showroom where we have all of our floors on display.  You can order free samples of any of our bamboo floors by clicking on the floor you like, and then selecting ‘Order your free sample’.