Bamboo flooring has gained significant popularity in the last few years. Its eco-friendly, green-building nature makes it more easily regrown than hardwoods, which can take nearly 10 times as long to grow as bamboo’s five to six year maturity rate.

Most bamboo floors start in Asia and are prized for their resistance to moisture, durability, and attractive price tags. Consumers have also been pulled in by bamboo’s unique appearance. The two most widely-recognized shades are carbonized (reminiscent of oak) and neutral (closer to beech). The carbonization process isn’t a stain; rather the bamboo plant is actually steamed in a gigantic pot until the sugars in the plant become caramelized. This results in a rich brown hue. Both shades are referred to as “solid” bamboo, though they actually bear closer resemblance to plywood.

Also growing in popularity are “strand-woven bamboo,” known for its strength and stability; and Fused Fiber Floor (F3) or Gemplex Bamboo, which designers employ for its varied visual effects. Gemplex comes in two types: vertical and horizontal-grain orientation, both of which offer distinctly different appearances. The horizontal grain displays joints that are easily seen, whereas the vertical grain makes the individual joints difficult to pick out. This effect results in more uniform coloration and an even grain.