Bamboo flooring can be pre-finished or may require finishing after installation. An unfinished bamboo floor must be sealed in some way to keep it from cupping or warping and to protect the surface from scrapes and deeper cuts. A professional is probably best for completing the installation and finishing of unfinished bamboo floors.
Any newly installed product that has not been factory finished will need a light sanding and thorough clean up from dust before any finishes can be applied. Un-finished bamboo floors can take any type of stain that would be used on hard woods such as oak. The color will absorb evenly and can be applied with more than one coat to give a darker, richer color tone. Keep in mind that some water-soluble stains will cause the grain of the bamboo to come to the surface, requiring a light sanding between each coat and before applying a varnish or sealant. It is always best to apply 2 or 3 light coats, than one thicker coat. The finish will have less bubbling and last longer. Pre-finished bamboo floors are ready to use as soon as they are installed. They have been treated with stain for coloring and some sort of sealant – probably a urethane type of varnish in newer floors installed after the 1960s -- at the factory in which the planks have been made. Older floors may at some point need refinishing to restore their luster and beauty. If the floors contain old shellac varnishes or have been maintained with waxes to keep them shining, then all of these old materials must be removed in order to re-stain and varnish. To remove old build up and return the bamboo to its untreated original state, sanding is required. There are some commercial chemicals that can soften and remove the top layers before sanding to make the process a little faster. For a quick and simple face-lift to the floor’s surface, there are products that can be used on bamboo that lift and re-apply the top layer of varnish and even re-spread softened stain. These are best for slightly worn surfaces that may just need a little sprucing up. As with any treatment to a luxury floor, it is always best to spot test new products. This will allow the consumer to know exactly what impact the product will have on the floor and what the new look will be. A hidden corner or closet floors are good areas for testing out new products. The right maintenance and care will make the refinishing process a very infrequent event. Once a bamboo floor is properly sealed, the finish should maintain a new look for many years.
Bamboo Flooring, Introduction, Brands, Cost, Suppliers, Maintenance, Refinishing © 2005 MyBambooFlooring.com. All rights reserved. |