About bamboo
How strand woven bamboo differs from classic bamboo and which figures you can rely on. Figures come from the manufacturer’s technical data and reference sources.
What bamboo flooring is
Bamboo is not a tree but a giant grass. Its stalks mature in about 5 years, and after harvesting the plant regrows from the root — no forest needs to be cleared.
Bamboo flooring is made in two ways:
- Classic — bamboo strips are glued together. The natural stalk structure with nodes is visible. Density is about 0.65 g/cm³.
- Strand woven — split fibres are impregnated with adhesive and pressed under high pressure. The board is dense, about 1.15 g/cm³, with a wood-like pattern.
Hardness
Floor hardness is measured with the Janka test: the force needed to press a steel ball into the board. The higher the value, the fewer dents from heels, furniture legs and dropped objects.
| Material | Janka hardness, lbf |
|---|---|
| ALZAR strand woven bamboo | 2820 * |
| Hard maple | ≈ 1450 ** |
| White oak | ≈ 1360 ** |
| Red oak | ≈ 1290 ** |
* Anji Tianchi factory technical data, ASTM D1037 method. ** Reference values for wood; individual boards may differ.
Hardness protects against dents, not against scratches from sand and grit — so keep a mat at the entrance (see Installation & care).
Classic or strand woven
| Classic | Strand woven | |
|---|---|---|
| Look | visible stalk structure with nodes | wood-like pattern |
| Density | ≈ 0.65 g/cm³ | ≈ 1.15 g/cm³ |
| Thickness | 15 mm | 10, 12, 14 mm |
| Joint | tongue and groove | click or tongue and groove (T&G) |
| Best for | bedrooms, studies, moderate traffic | living rooms, hallways, corridors, commercial spaces |
Surfaces and colours
- Natural — the light natural colour of bamboo.
- Carbonized (caramel) — the colour comes from steam heat treatment, not stain, so it runs through the fibre.
- Stained — from white wash to espresso.
- Antique, saw-mark, embossed — textured surfaces that show less wear.
Natural materials shift colour slightly in light over time — this is normal. Screen colour depends on your monitor, so we bring a sample before you order.
Moisture and climate
Like wood, bamboo responds to air humidity. The floor is happiest at 40–60% humidity and 18–25 °C all year. Heating makes winter air in Dushanbe very dry — a humidifier helps.
The flooring is not meant for bathrooms or places where water stands on the floor. It can go in a kitchen if spills are wiped up straight away. For outdoors, balconies and pools there is a separate product — decking.
Safety
According to the factory, the adhesive’s formaldehyde emission is below the European E1 class. You can request the factory technical data from a manager.
During production the fibre is heat-treated, which according to the manufacturer removes sugars and starch — so it attracts insects less and is less prone to mould when used correctly.
Where it is made
ALZAR flooring is made by the Anji Tianchi factory in Anji County, Zhejiang Province, China — one of the centres of bamboo production. The factory has operated since 2000 and supplies floors to Europe and North America. More on the About us page.
Specifications are given according to the manufacturer’s technical data and reference sources. Actual properties depend on the model, installation and conditions of use.