Why Ecostrong?

Ecostrong was involved in pioneering the introduction of bamboo flooring into South Africa and the company has specialised in this product ever since.  Ecostrong was founded in 2003 to raise the benchmark for bamboo flooring and go against the trend that cheaper is better. Many companies wrongly assumed that if they could cut corners and sell a cheaper product then they would be more successful.  Ecostrong is still going from strength to strength and we continue to provide our clients with quality products and excellent service.

Is Bamboo really a renewable resource?

Cutting bamboo stalks actually promotes faster growth in the plant. Unlike hardwood trees, the bamboo stumps and young culms are left behind and can then be harvested in the future. The plant is therefore not totally destroyed as in hardwood harvesting. Bamboo matures after 4 to 6 years, unlike hardwoods that may take decades.

Are Pandas being harmed?

Some people have expressed concern that the natural habitat and food supply of Pandas will be harmed by bamboo harvesting. The species of bamboo used for our products is very different to that sought by Pandas and harvesting for our products has no negative impact on the Pandas environment.

How is bamboo flooring installed?

Bamboo flooring is installed just like a traditional tongue and groove solid hardwood floor. Depending on the product, it can glued to an elastic mat, glued to concrete, or installed as a floating floor with a self-locking system that requires no adhesive.

What colour choices do I have?

Bamboo is available in a light, natural color as well as warm "caramelized" tones. The caramelized tone results from heating the sugar in the fibres during manufacturing.

Bamboo can also be stained in colors such as cherry, espresso, walnut, and charcoal.

Also bamboo does not tend to oxidize(darken/lighten) as much as solid timber flooring.

Bamboo flooring and heating?

Bamboo flooring is absolutely compatible with underfloor heating systems. Bamboo as a material is more stable than wood and will therefore expand/contract less under heating.  Bear in mind that bamboo is a natural insulator and the heating is not immediately evident.  The heating system needs to cover the entire area under the floor and needs to be capped at a temperature of 29 degrees Celsius.

How long will my Bamboo floor last?

With the correct care and maintenance an Ecostrong floor is just like a quality solid timber floor that you would expect to last for many years. Most people will buff and recoat their Bamboo floor on average every 10-15 years to keep them looking like new. Our bamboo floor coverings are all 12 - 15mm thick and can therefore be expected to last a lifetime.

How does bamboo compare in strength to hardwood timber flooring?

International tests have shown that the different styles of bamboo flooring have differing hardness. The vertical and horizontal styles are slightly softer than Jarrah (E. Marginata) while the strand woven style is 73% harder than Jarrah.   Additional tests have shown bamboo flooring to be more stable. This means it won't expand and contract as much as solid timber flooring due to temperature change or humidity.

How do I care for my bamboo flooring?

Caring for your bamboo floor is very easy and we provide all customers with a guide to maintaining your floor.

A quick summary to maintain your floor’s beauty:

1. Install protector felt on furniture

2. Use area rugs on high traffic pathways

3. Place mats at exterior doors to trap sand and grit from incoming traffic

4. Remove spills promptly

5. Vacuum or sweep floor regularly with a soft broom to remove sand and grit

6. We recommend using Micro fibre cleaning mops

What happens if I damage my bamboo floor?

It is inevitable that your floor will become damaged at some point. This is no different to solid timber, laminate or any other natural flooring. The type of damage will dictate the best course of action. We provide a care kit that you can use to fix minor damage and scratches yourself.

The important thing is that Ecostrong is able to advise you or at times even carry out the repair work.

One of the great advantages of a pre-finished Ecostrong floor is that damaged boards can be easily rectified. In most cases a great result is achieved by simply cutting out and replacing the damaged boards returning your floor to its original condition.