Frequently Asked Questions

Please click any of the questions below to see the answer.

What is the difference between Horizontal, Vertical and Strand Woven Earth Bamboo® flooring?
Read the Answer...

What warranty does Earth Bamboo® provide? Read the Answer

Can Earth Bamboo® flooring be laid over an existing tiled floor? Read the Answer...

Will Earth Bamboo® flooring contract and expand like hardwood flooring? Read the Answer...

Should Earth Bamboo® flooring be acclimatised prior to installation? Read the Answer...

Can Earth Bamboo® be used as a structural floor? Read the Answer...

Is Earth Bamboo® suitable for people with asthma and other similar allergic conditions? Read the Answer...

Can Earth Bamboo® flooring be re-sanded/re-finished? Read the Answer...

Can Earth Bamboo® be laid in wet areas? Read the Answer...

How do I clean my Earth Bamboo® floor? Read the Answer...

Is bamboo threatened by over harvesting the same as hardwoods? Read the Answer...

Will bamboo harvesting affect the environment of the Panda? Read the Answer...

Does Earth Bamboo® contain VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds)? Read the Answer...

How do I get adequate expansion around the perimeter of the room if I have slimline skirting boards fitted? Read the Answer...

What is the difference between Tongue and Groove and Uniclic flooring? Read the Answer...

What is the difference between Horizontal, Vertical and Strand Woven Earth Bamboo® flooring?

Horizontal and Vertical
Horizontal and Vertical bamboo flooring is produced by laminating (adhering) uniform strips of bamboo (approximately 15mm x 5mm x 1900mm) together using heat, environmentally safe adhesives and extremely high pressure. The Horizontal bamboo flooring is so-called because the bamboo strips are assembled together in a horizontal manner, giving the appearance of the characteristic “knuckles” (each individual node) of the bamboo stalks. The Vertical bamboo flooring is assembled together in a vertical manner, resulting in the individual nodes (or “knuckles”) being hard to discern and therefore creating a more uniform grained look.

Strand Woven
Strand Woven flooring is produced as a result of a unique manufacturing process whereby bamboo fibres (or strands) are compressed (or fused) together using heat, environmentally safe adhesives and extremely high pressure, resulting in a flooring product that rates with the hardest of hardwoods – and is the hardest and most durable bamboo flooring. Strand Woven flooring displays similar characteristics to a solid hardwood floor.

What warranty does Earth Bamboo® provide?

Residential – Lifetime structural plus 10 years surface wear warranty
Commercial – 10 years structural plus 5 years surface wear warranty

Can Earth Bamboo® flooring be laid over an existing tiled floor?

Yes. Earth Bamboo® flooring can be laid over any existing surface as long as the surface is level, dry, clean & stable (refer to installation instructions). Suitable substrate surfaces include concrete, tiles, existing timber floors, plywood, particleboard etc.

Will Earth Bamboo® flooring contract and expand like hardwood flooring?

Yes. Earth Bamboo® flooring is manufactured from 100% premium grade solid bamboo – and, like hardwood, bamboo will contract and expand, albeit at a lower rate than hardwood. This is why it is extremely important to ensure adequate expansion is provided when installing the floor (see Installation Guidelines for details).

Should Earth Bamboo® flooring be acclimatised prior to installation?

Yes. As is the case with any solid timber floor, Earth Bamboo® flooring must be allowed to acclimatise on the job site for a minimum of three (3) days before installation. The bamboo should be placed in the same room as it is being installed. The boxes should be opened, the shrink wrap and foam removed, and the boards stacked off the ground to allow for complete air circulation.

Can Earth Bamboo® be used as a structural floor?

Yes. Earth Bamboo® can be laid as a structural floor over joists and beams at centres not exceeding 350mm.

Is Earth Bamboo® suitable for people with asthma and other similar allergic conditions?

Yes. Earth Bamboo® is manufactured using non toxic glues and water-based coatings in a waste free manufacturing process which exceeds international environmental standards, resulting in it being allergy free.

Can Earth Bamboo® flooring be re-sanded/re-finished?

Yes. Earth Bamboo® flooring can be re-finished in the same manner as any solid timber floor. Earth Bamboo® recommends the use of an accredited floor finishing professional.

Can Earth Bamboo® be laid in wet areas?

No. Like hardwood, bamboo will absorb moisture and expand, albeit at a lower rate than hardwood. Therefore, Earth Bamboo® does not recommend that bamboo flooring be laid in wet areas. Earth Bamboo®, however, is suitable for laying in all other areas including kitchens, hallways and entry areas into the home or office.

How do I clean my Earth Bamboo® floor?

Simply vacuum or sweep regularly and clean with a slightly damp mop with warm water and methylated spirits (approximately 2 capfuls in a bucket of water).

Is bamboo threatened by over harvesting the same as hardwoods?

No. Cutting bamboo actually promotes the growth of the stalks left behind. Bamboo grows to harvesting maturity within 5 to 6 years, unlike most hardwoods which can take many decades.

Will bamboo harvesting affect the environment of the Panda?

No. Mao bamboo is not a food source of the panda. There are over 1000 different species of bamboo, with the Panda preferring smaller species, with leaves lower to the ground making it easier for them to eat. Mao bamboo also grows in a region of China that is hundreds of kilometres away from the panda’s habitat.

Does Earth Bamboo® contain VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds)?

There are many sources of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s) within the home, most of which would be in the form of formaldehyde, which is contained within the adhesives that bond many common products together.

These include structural timber framework and beams, flooring, kitchen cabinets, timber furniture such as dining settings, lounge suites, and TV cabinets. All of these items would emit formaldehyde at varying levels, but all should comply with the Australian standard which requires an emission limit of less than 2.0mg of formaldehyde per litre of emissions released into the atmosphere.

However, because Earth Bamboo is exported all over the world our product must meet the most commonly used international standard which is currently the European E1 standard, this standard is much tougher than the Australian standard and requires an emission limit of less than 1.0mg of formaldehyde per litre of emissions released into the atmosphere.

Our test results show that Earth Bamboo flooring emits on average 0.15mg of formaldehyde per litre, well below the most commonly used E1 international standard of 1.0mg, and much lower than the Australian standard of 2.0mg.

How do I get adequate expansion around the perimeter of the room if I have slimline skirting boards fitted?

Option 1
Leave your existing skirtings in place when installing your bamboo flooring and lay the bamboo floor to within 15mm of the skirtings and then use a trim (such as an Earth Bamboo® Quarter Round) to cover the expansion gap.

Option 2
Remove your existing skirtings and undercut the gyprock to a height of 20mm at the bottom of the walls to allow for additional expansion under the gyprock and then re-fit your skirtings.

Don’t forget to leave sufficient expansion under or around your door frames.

What is the difference between Tongue and Groove and Uniclic flooring?

The most common form of joining system for timber and bamboo flooring is Tongue & Groove, that is, each board has a Tongue & Groove profile machined around its perimeter. If you want your bamboo floor to be permanently fixed to the substrate ie: glued to concrete or nailed to plywood you would generally select Tongue & Groove flooring. See Installation Guidelines for more detail.

Uniclic is a patented profile that is machined around the perimeter of each board during the manufacturing process. If you want your bamboo floor to be “floated” over the substrate, that is, not permanently fixed, you would generally select Uniclic flooring. This method of installation is ideal for DIY customers. See Installation Guidelines for more detail.