How is vertical bamboo flooring made?

Vertical bamboo flooring is made by simply gluing strips of bamboo together vertically and then machining them into planks of flooring. [caption id="attachment_295" align="aligncenter" width="388"] Vertical Bamboo Flooring[/caption] Bamboo is an extremely fast growing grass and reaches maturity in approximately 5 years, making it an eco-friendly alternative to hardwood flooring.  Once the bamboo is ready to be harvested it is carefully cut down (by hand), ensuring the root stays intact, allowing the grass to self-generate for future harvests. After the bamboo has been cut down, it is then dried and cut into individual flat strips.  If the bamboo is to be carbonised the strips are smoked to produce a brown, coffee coloured tone.  If the bamboo is to be natural then it is left in its natural state.  The thin, flat strips of bamboo are now glued together vertically and then machined into planks of flooring.  The planks are then sanded and have protective layers of lacquer added to the surface.  Finally the planks of flooring are machined with either a click fitting system or the more traditional tongue and groove profile, before being packaged ready for distribution. [caption id="attachment_463" align="aligncenter" width="400"] Natural & Carbonised Vertical Bamboo Flooring[/caption]