Bamboo Quality and Floor Care

Bamboo Flooring Quality

At the moment there is not really a list of standards for bamboo flooring, below are a few guidelines to make sure you make the best choice.

1. Inspect the finishing and manufacturing quality, check the finishing for any signs of cracks, peeling or chips. Also check for holes and gaps in the plank as these are signs of poor quality and this can lead to further cracks and weak boards over the years.
2. Ask the retailer about the warranty on the floor and make sure that both the supplier and manufacturer will back up the warranty.
3. Formaldehyde is used in the manufacturing process and although it is used in very small quantities it is a good idea to make sure that the product is below the E1 standard.

Things to keep in mind about bamboo floors

Keep in mind that Bamboo is a natural product with similar qualities as Solid Wood and therefore it can be effected by various factors as below.

• Like most types of flooring Bamboo needs regular maintenance to be long lasting. These floors can still dent, stain and discolour if they are not properly cared for.
• Being a natural product there will be movement in your floor, mostly expanding in the wet season and contracting in the dry season.
• Although bamboo is moisture resistant it is quite susceptible to excessive moisture or damp which can cause expansion of the planks.
• Bamboo floors are stain resistant but spilt liquids that are not cleaned up could stain your floor and might cause swelling.
• Bamboo floors do oxidise a little over time with exposure to air and light which means your floor will probably darken slightly but this can be compared to a good wine which gets better with time, fading can occur with prolonged exposure to direct sunlight.

Prevention is better than Cure

• Quickly clean up liquids and spills
• Vacuum and sweep regularly with a soft broom, dust and dirt can cause minute scratches on the surface which will result in the floor becoming dull over time
• Use loose mats in high traffic areas and at door entrances, make sure they are colour fast and avoid the ones with a rubber backing as this can prevent the floor from being able to "breath"
• High heeled shoes can dent the floor so rather remove them inside the house
• Place protective pads under the legs of chairs and tables or any other furniture
• Change the position of furniture and rugs periodically so that the floor weathers evenly
• If you have windows or sliding doors exposed to long periods of direct sunlight on the floor then it is a good idea to have sun screens in place to prevent fading in that area.

Daily Floor Care Tips

• Clean regularly to ensure your floor is free from dust
• Only use soft brooms and mops, the micro fibre mops for example is ideal
• Do not use any abrasive scouring pads or sponges to clean the floor
• Wash and shake out rugs on a regular basis as these collect dust and with the movement of people walking over the rugs can damage your floor.
• Avoid normal house hold cleaners, wax and any other cleaning material not specifically meant for the floor
• Only use a damp mop to clean the floor with as excessive water can damage the floor (do not use spaghetti mops)
• Use cleaning products recommended by the manufacturer and supplier and ask your supplier for instructions as they will have the best advice for your specific floor. Not using the recommended product COULD VOID YOUR WARRANTY.

Please feel free to post questions on the public forum should you require any additional information or have any issues.