Bamboo Glossary

There are a number of terms that you may hear or read when shopping for or learning about bamboo floors. Here's a list of some of the most common words, and their definitions, that should make the entire process easier for you.

Carbonized – A descriptor of bamboo floors that have been treated through a steam or baking process, creating a darker appearance that accentuates the unique grain of the bamboo.

Floating – One of the three primary techniques used to install bamboo floors.

Glue-Down – One of the three primary techniques used to install bamboo floors. In this system, the planks are glued directly to the subfloor.

Horizontal – Bamboo floors that are manufactured by laminating three layers of bamboo strips side-by-side. This process creates wider visual strips of bamboo flooring, at first looking more like hardwood, except for the unique nodal pattern characteristic of bamboo.

Nail-Down – One of the three primary techniques used to install bamboo floors. In this system, the planks are literally nailed to the subfloor.

Natural – The blonde color of bamboo that has not gone through the carbonizing process.

Shoots – The “stalk” of the bamboo plant that is harvested (without harming the plant) to create bamboo flooring.

Strand-Woven – Bamboo flooring that is created by dipping the bamboo strips into adhesive and then crushing them together. This type of bamboo floor is much stronger and better suited for high-traffic usage.

Vertical – Bamboo floors that are manufactured by turning the bamboo strips vertically, next to one another, creating visually narrow strips.