By Jenna Lippin
Volume 26/Number 22; March 18/25, 2013
In recent years, bamboo has become a prominent topic of discussion in the flooring industry. Thanks to technological advances, especially HD imaging, bamboo visuals have reached new levels of realism. With a variety of fresh styles and designs, bamboo players have released their most innovative offerings to date.
Bamboo Hardwoods
SUITE is a strand-woven line made with 100% FSC-certified bamboo in a solid format, created by combining strands into a unique, organic pattern and compressing them under tons of pressure. With a Janka hardness rating of over 3,000, SUITE is extremely durable and ideal for high-traffic, residential applications. The product is milled with micro-beveled edges for a traditional plank appearance but also comes in brushed/distressed options for a different look.
ECOFusion
Color Fusion Strandwoven Bamboo flooring uses thru-color technology to dye strands of bamboo and create a through-color wear surface. This technology increases the life of the floor; scratches and dents do not require repair because the color appears throughout the veneer. ECOFusion uses a plant-based pigment to colorize the bamboo strands, creating unique colors and grains without the use of any topical stains.
EcoTimber
The company has partnered with Dasso to service the U.S. through EcoTimber dealers. Dasso’s EcoSolid uses a patented manufacturing process that unfurls and flattens one bamboo stalk into a one-piece panel. This enables the actual outer skin of the bamboo, the hardest part of the bamboo stalk, to be utilized for the flooring surface. The EcoSolid Forest collection boasts an impressive natural look because no lacquers, polyurethanes or waxes are used on the surface, which is the actual skin of the bamboo as it comes from nature. The Vintage collection adds another element to the EcoSolid line by incorporating rich colors into a smooth, UV-finished face.
Teragren
Recently introduced to the market is Vantage: A New Generation In Bamboo Flooring, an engineered strand bamboo product that is FSC-certified. The collection features a 3mm Xcora strand bamboo wear layer over an 11mm, 7-layer FSC- and CARB II-certified eucalyptus plywood core for maximum stability. Using seven layers of eucalyptus as a substrate creates a very stable product that is also lightweight.
USFloors
The company recently added two new multi-width products to its Expressions collection, a Moso6 solid locking strand woven bamboo first released in 2011. The line comes in three different widths—5, 3-, and 2-inches—per box. The latest looks in the line are Canyon, a wire brushed selection, and Cocoa, featuring a vintage handscraped distressed visual. Expressions is GreenGuard certified and includes a durable topcoat that helps the floor look fresh and stay strong over time.
Wellmade
Inspired by reclaimed hardwood visuals, the Old Growth Series features Wellmade’s new Clear-Tec Bamboo Imaging technology. The HD print technology is applied directly to a 3-ply, premium-quality, eco-friendly horizontal bamboo core. The addition of micro-beveled edges and wide planks helps create a realistic hardwood look. Recommended for on or above grade using nail/staple or glue-down methods, Wellmade’s Old Growth Series is available in a tongue-and-groove fit.