Bamboo flooring is different from hardwood flooring.

The bamboo-like herb, rather than the tree-like wood, allows the flooring to be constructed differently from other materials, resulting in a wide variety of bamboo flooring types, each with unique characteristics. Bamboo flooring, practical and long-lasting, is even stronger than many hardwood alternatives. When using bamboo flooring, you may be curious about the types you can get into. Here are a few ways to construct bamboo flooring and a brief description.

There are two types of bamboo flooring: engineered and solid, but the situation is not so straightforward. The type of construction of bamboo flooring depends on how the bamboo is used to generate the final product. There are three main construction types of bamboo flooring: horizontal bamboo, vertical bamboo, and wire-woven bamboo.

Horizontal Bamboo – Bamboo is cut into tiny strips, dried, and then spliced horizontally to form flooring panels. Next, it is decorated by adding accessory profiles (usually tongue and groove) and applying a protective layer of paint to the surface to achieve the perfect finish. The final product is a solid bamboo floor with a broader, more visible grain pattern.

Vertical Bamboo – Similar to making horizontal bamboo flooring, bamboo is cut into tiny strips, dried, and then spliced together vertically to form the floor. Again, accessory profiles (usually tongue and groove) are added by mechanical equipment, and a protective paint coating is applied to the surface for decoration to achieve the perfect finish. The final product is a solid piece of bamboo flooring with a relatively thin, less visible grain pattern.

Wire-woven bamboo—Bamboo has been cut into strands and fibers, dried, and then compressed under high pressure to form flooring panels. The final product is a plank or flooring block with a random grain pattern. Wire-woven bamboo is more robust and has a broader range of applications than horizontal or vertical bamboo flooring. It can be equipped with tongue-and-groove or snap-in profiles and is available in a wide range of plank sizes, both solid and engineered.

Regarding bamboo flooring options, there are three suitable profiles or types: tongue-and-groove bamboo, click bamboo planks, and parquet bamboo.

Tongue and groove bamboo is the more traditional fitting profile for wood or bamboo flooring. Each bamboo panel has long and short edges with tongues and long and short edges with grooves. To install bamboo, you fit the tongue and groove together. If you choose a floating tongue and groove floor, glue the tongue and groove together and cover it loosely with a liner. However, if you wish to fix it to the subfloor securely, adhere to it using a flexible flooring adhesive. Tongue and groove flooring is available in horizontal, vertical, or stranded bamboo.

Click bamboo planks—a tight fit with just one click—provide a comfortable and secure experience. You can lay the flooring loosely on top of the matting or use a flexible flooring adhesive to stick it firmly to the subfloor. Click and Clack bamboo is limited to wire-braided bamboo.

Parquet bamboo—All our parquet floors are equipped with tongue-and-groove profiles. Because parquet is smaller than flooring, these small squares can be used to create beautiful geometric patterns such as herringbone. Bamboo parquet blocks must be glued to the subfloor and provided with thread-woven bamboo.

When it comes to color choices and finishes for bamboo flooring, you had to choose between natural or carbonized colors when it first became popular. Natural bamboo retains the original form of bamboo, giving it a golden hue and golden sheen. On the other hand, carbonized bamboo is smoked during manufacturing, transforming the bamboo strips or fibers into a dark brown color. Over time, bamboo flooring has become available in various color options, including lime and chestnut brown.

Overall, bamboo flooring has won the hearts of consumers with its unique characteristics and diverse options. Whether you are in pursuit of natural, environmentally friendly living concepts or love the traditional, classic style of decoration, bamboo flooring can meet your needs and create a unique home environment.

Read More: Common causes of water damage to bamboo flooring.