FAQs

About bamboo | Installation | Care & maintenance

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About bamboo

How does bamboo compare in hardness to hardwood timber flooring?
The results of numerous tests carried out globally have shown that the different styles of bamboo flooring have differences in hardness. The vertical and horizontal styles are slightly softer than Jarrah or Kwila (middle of hardness table), and the Compressed bamboo is 73% harder than Jarrah or Kwila. While most timber floors will dent over time, it is difficult to dent Compressed bamboo flooring. Additional tests have shown bamboo flooring to be more stable. This means it won't expand and contract as much as solid timber flooring due to temperature change or humidity.

How do the coatings compare in strength to the coatings on hardwood timber flooring?
The pre-finished boards are coated with 6 coats of low emission water based German polyurethane. To improve the scratch-resistance of your floor we also incorporate into the polish a leading nano technology which is a metal oxide that has been processed so fine that it can not be seen in the polish. Like timber floors scratches can appear over time. Our Maintenance Guide Caring for your Bamboo (link) advises how best to remove scratches.

If both the solid compressed and 3-ply compressed planks can be installed floating, which is the better option?
The 3-ply planks can be installed by anyone, while the solid compressed planks should only be installed floating by an expert. An expanding glue is used on the groove of the solid compressed planks and it’s easy to put too much on, plus a bit tricky to keep all the planks tight while the glue dries; hence it’s better to leave to the experts.

Surely a solid bamboo plank is better than a 3-ply plank?
The durability of these two different products is the about same, as the wear layer (amount of bamboo available for future sanding) is about the same thickness. The hardness rating is also the same. A 3-ply plank is actually a very good way to construct a flooring plank, and in some ways superior to a solid plank as it is more stable (will not expand and contract as much as a solid plank) due to its cross-ply construction.

How long will my Bamboo floor last?
With the correct care and maintenance an Ecodure floor is just like a quality solid timber floor that you would expect to last for many years. Most people will either re-sand or recoat their Bamboo floor on average every 10-15 years to keep them looking like new. Our bamboo floor coverings are all 14mm thick and therefore can be expected to outlast many of the thinner timber floors being installed today

What about stairs?
We stock two types of stair accessory – a large tread which is basically a 20mm thick and 1.22m long plank (300mm wide) with a curved edge, and a narrow bull nosing which is used on wider stairs as it is 1.83m long (and then floor planks complete the rest of the tread).
We can also custom manufacture treads for use in exposed staircases, or square edge treads. For the vertical (riser) part of each step, we normally use flooring planks.
Large square edge stair treads for an exposed stair case, we can have these custom made for you.

Why should I buy from Bamboo Flooring Systems Ltd?
We are the first choice for home builders and renovators, architects and large developers due to our competitive pricing, wealth of experience, great service and quality flooring. We have had more bamboo floors installed in large commercial sites in NZ than any other supplier. Projects include the Bluewater Resort in Tekapo, Mollies Boutique Hotel Spa, a top brand international hotel, and five floors of the BNZ training centre in Quay St, Auckland.
We have ensured that we only import the best quality bamboo flooring due to an exhaustive search for the best product, and regularly visit China to ensure compliance with our standards. We are pioneers in the bamboo flooring industry in NZ and were the first to introduce compressed bamboo flooring and engineered compressed bamboo flooring to NZ. We are committed to constantly introducing new products. We have updated our specifications over time to ensure the following standards are met:
Micro-bevel on solid and engineered compressed bamboo flooring.
Hot-pressed manufacturing method. This results in compressed bamboo being 10% harder and importantly, more stable, than with the commonly used cold-pressed method.
Six Coats of water-based polyurethane and a ceramic anti-scratch coating.
Increased the moisture levels of our flooring to better suit NZ conditions.
A 4mm top layer of bamboo on engineered 3-ply bamboo flooring. This ensures a thick wear l layer and means the flooring can be sanded back several times in the future. Many brands of engineered bamboo or timber flooring only have a few millimeters of wear layer.
Custom shape bamboo accessories are available.

Where does the product come from?
Our product is manufactured to our specific design requirements in an ISO 9001 accredited factory in China. Bamboo flooring is an adaptation of proven European timber flooring technology but instead of using wood we have substituted bamboo. In fact the machinery, polyurethane and glues we use are still imported from European countries. The reason this is primarily manufactured in china is due to the abundant supply of suitable of bamboo (only two species out of thousands of species of bamboo are suitable for bamboo flooring).

What is better – a floating floor or glue down floor?
It depends on your situation. Floating floors are popular because they can easily be installed by anybody (DIY or professional install), and are more cost effective. If you have a concrete slab you will save about $25/sq m on install costs with a floating floor as opposed to gluing down the floor, as the concrete requires a lot of prep work and materials when gluing down flooring.
For installs over particleboard/plywood the cost advantage of a floating floor is not so great (unless you install yourself where you will save the installer labour). A floating floor feels slightly softer underfoot, while a glued down floor feels harder underfoot.
If your concrete slab holds too much moisture (a common issue with new concrete slabs), you will not be able to glue down your floor (unless you wait for the slab to dry out). Instead your bamboo floor will get absolute protection from the moisture in the concrete by installing a floating floor over a water-proof underlay. Some people worry that a floating floor will move underfoot as it isn’t fixed, however if installed correctly over a level sub-floor, this is not the case.
We sell both 3-ply click-lock compressed bamboo flooring and solid compressed bamboo flooring. The 3-ply click-lock flooring is normally installed as a floating floor (can be DIY), while the solid compressed bamboo flooring can be installed floating or glued down (both install options for this type should be installed by professionals only).
Although it is often glued down, solid compressed bamboo flooring installs extremely well as a floating floor.

Will the sun change the colour?
No the finish is UV resistance, and the floor will not yellow or discolour like regular polyurethaned floors.

Is bamboo flooring slippery?
Bamboo flooring meets slip resistance standards, and is no more slippery than any other floor.

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Installation

What is better – a floating floor or glue down floor?
It depends on your situation. Floating floors are popular because they can easily be installed by anybody (DIY or professional install), and are more cost effective. If you have a concrete slab you will save about $25/sq m on install costs with a floating floor as opposed to gluing down the floor, as the concrete requires a lot of prep work and materials when gluing down flooring.
For installs over particleboard/plywood the cost advantage of a floating floor is not so great (unless you install yourself where you will save the installer labour). A floating floor feels slightly softer underfoot, while a glued down floor feels harder underfoot.
If your concrete slab holds too much moisture (a common issue with new concrete slabs), you will not be able to glue down your floor (unless you wait for the slab to dry out )and moisture seal the slab. Instead your bamboo floor will get protection from the moisture in the concrete by installing a floating floor over a water-proof underlay. Some people worry that a floating floor will move underfoot as it isn’t fixed, however if installed correctly over a level sub-floor, this is not the case.
We sell both 3-ply click-lock compressed bamboo flooring and solid compressed Click Lock bamboo flooring. The 3-ply click-lock flooring is normally installed as a floating floor (can be DIY), while the solid compressed bamboo flooring can be installed floating or glued down (both install options for this type should be installed by professionals only).
Although it is often glued down, solid compressed bamboo flooring installs extremely well as a floating floor.

Is it possible to glue down click-lock floating floors?
Yes, please discuss your subfloor type with us first.

I’ve heard that bamboo and timber floors can cup or warp when installed glued down over concrete, is this true?
Both bamboo and timber flooring can expand excessively if installed glued to a concrete slab that has not had enough time to dry out after being pouredand has not been moisture sealed. Bamboo and timber naturally expands and contracts with changes in humidity. This movement is absolutely normal and minimal, and does not cause any problems in correctly installed floors. However if glued to a wet concrete slab the excessive amount of water vapour seeping through into the floor planks can cause excessive expansion of each plank, which can cause cupping.
If a slab is very wet, moisture will seep into the planks even with two coats of a chemical moisture barrier applied to the concrete. BRANZ (Building Research Association of NZ) recommendations are that moisture levels in the concrete should be no higher than 70%RH (allows a 5% tolerance) as measured on a hygrometer. It is also important that there is no more than a 3% difference in moisture levels between the bamboo planks and the concrete or substrate it is being installed over.
We import our bamboo flooring with a higher moisture content compared to other importers, to best suit NZ’s often humid climate conditions, and to help minimise the difference in moisture levels between the bamboo and concrete and average indoor equilibrium moisture content. Acclimatising the flooring on site for 7-10 days prior to installation will also help. These recommendations apply equally to both bamboo and timber flooring. Please refer to our installation instructions and BRANZ for more information.

How long does it take for a new concrete slab to be dry enough for a glue down install?
On average at least 6 months, however depending on many contributing factors the slab could take much longer to dry out. Only an onsite moisture test with a hygrometer will be able to determine if it’s safe to go ahead with a glue down installation. Some concrete slabs never dry out enough (often due to Mistakes made during construction). To Read the Article When is a Concrete floor slab dry? CLICK HERE

Are there any other risks?
Extreme heat or humidity can also influence the way a glued down bamboo or timber floor performs, and can cause excessive expansion of planks (this can adversely affect glued down floors only, this does not normally affect floating floors). This is not caused by a product defect but rather the surrounding conditions. For example, in rare cases high temperatures or humidity alone can cause a floor to cup. An example where this might happen is in a house that is locked up over a long period of time with no window coverings or ventilation.
Within a dwelling a number of differing climates can develop causing areas of flooring to respond differently within the same dwelling. Large expanses of glass, fire places, air-conditioners, appliances that vent warm air, aspect of the house and two storey construction may all have an effect on the dimensional movement of floor boards. When floors are exposed to the sun through large, glassed areas protection should be considered before, during and after construction. Drape windows or fit blinds to prevent direct sunlight on the floor for prolonged periods.

Will I be able to have underfloor heating?
Yes, you can use underfloor heating up to a maximum of 27⁰. We advise you to leave you heating on at low temperatures in cold weather rather than switching it on and off, and having to reheat quickly.

What do we do about our skirting?
If you are building it’s best to leave the skirting off until the flooring is installed, then place the skirting over the expansion gap. If renovating you can leave the skirting in and the installers can usually undercut it with a special saw. If you are doing the installation yourself you may need to remove the skirting and replace it afterwards, or use a low profile accessory to cover the expansion gap.

Can I use bamboo in a wet area such as a bathroom?
We do not recommend using bamboo in a room that will be wet on a regular basis.

How do I join up to a carpeted floor?
We sell bamboo accessories as well as metal trims. Your installer will advise on this.

What order do I install my kitchen?
With a glue-down floor the units can be installed on top of the floor, as long as builders and other trades take care to protect the product from scratching. With floating floors it is usual to install the kitchen first, and intall the floor just before the kick boards go on. There are exceptions and work arounds so please discuss this at the time of quotation, or with your installer.

Do I have to move out or vacate while my flooring is laid?
Whilst the wear layer is factory finished there will still be time needed for any adhesives to cure.

Is it messy or smelly?
As with any building work there will be dust from cutting the flooring and floor preparation. The product itself has a very mild woody smell, which quickly disappears. Some primers and adhesives are quite strong smelling for a short time until curing is complete.

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Care & maintenance

Are Ecodure floors easy to clean?
Yes , you can use several different cleaning methods as mentioned in our Maintenance Guide Caring for your Bamboo. (link)
After years of practice we now recommend the use of micro fibre mops as one of the best products for keeping these floors looking great. They are a great investment if you want to save time and you do not have to use any cleaners or chemicals. They also don’t leave any streak marks on the floor

More advice on routine care