What is the Difference Between Strand-Woven and Traditional Bamboo Flooring?

Stand-woven bamboo flooring uses a newer manufacturing process that makes it stronger and more durable than traditional bamboo flooring. The bamboo fibers are woven together in an adhesive base, rather than simply stacked. Then they are compressed under extreme heat and pressure.

The strength of strand-woven bamboo flooring depends on the brand and style, but it’s generally at least two or three times stronger than traditional bamboo flooring. It is about twice as hard as popular hardwoods like oak and maple, and it looks more like real wood than regular bamboo flooring. Because it is so durable, strand-woven bamboo is ideal for high-traffic or commercial use. It’s great for homes with kids and pets, too.

Strand-woven bamboo comes in three styles: natural, carbonized or tiger. Natural is light, carbonized is dark and tiger is a combination of both. Keep in mind that carbonized strand-woven bamboo is considerably weaker than natural strand-woven bamboo due to the effects of the darkening process. But both versions are stronger than traditional bamboo flooring.

Strand-woven bamboo flooring is less expensive than most comparably-strong hardwood flooring but about 50 percent more expensive than traditional bamboo. Budget $4 to $8 per square foot, give or take. Just make sure to do significant research on the manufacturer before buying, particularly if you’re looking for an eco-friendly product: Some bamboo flooring is much greener than others.

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