In recent years, bamboo has been enjoying a real surge in popularity in Europe, but how much do you actually know about this material from the other side of the world? Let yourself get caught up in our summer quiz and take a few minutes to test your knowledge of bamboo. Preconceptions, mix-ups or genuine revelations — bamboo will no longer hold any secrets for you!
For how long has bamboo been used in construction?
Nicknamed "steel grass", bamboo as we know it today was already present 200 million years ago, at the time of the dinosaurs! When humans appeared on Earth, they quickly began working with it, just as with wood, sand and clay. The oldest bamboo strips found in China date from the Shang dynasty, five centuries before our era! As for construction, the oldest bamboo bridge would date from the third century BC, in the region of Qian-Xian, China.
Bamboo garland, mirror, water fountain or wind chime: is bamboo only used to make zen decorations?
No, no and no, put that idea out of your head. Bamboo is much more than a material used for indoor or outdoor decoration. For a long time, at ootouch, we have done everything to prove that bamboo is the perfect alternative to wood species for work in your home. Flooring, decking, cladding, wall decorations: bamboo does everything wood does, but in a more environmentally friendly way!
Discover our bamboo decking
Does all bamboo have the same quality?
Like wood species, there are several types of bamboo, divided into three categories according to their quality: grade A, B and C. Each of these grades corresponds to a quality level linked to the age of the cane at the time it is cut.
Bathroom, kitchen, living room: is bamboo suitable for every room in the house?
While for a long time, in Europe, bamboo kept a cosy place in the bathroom, today it is suitable for every room in the house. Living room, kitchen, bedroom, office, but also in the garden, for the terrace, bamboo works everywhere! It is its durability and its great resistance that allow it to be used in a multitude of environments.
How long does it take for bamboo to reach maturity?
While it takes up to 70 years for an oak to reach maturity, bamboo takes up to ten times less time! Indeed, depending on the species, bamboo only takes 5 to 6 years to reach a size and quality sufficient to be cut. Fast, isn't it?
Outside of Asia, where can the largest bamboo plantations be found?
While it is mainly in Asia, and in China in particular, that the largest bamboo plantations are found, the continent is not the only one to offer natural bamboo groves. In South America, for example, bamboo has been cultivated for several centuries!
Is a bamboo flooring from the BamWood collection sturdier than another?
Among the various bamboo structures offered by ootouch, BamWood visually resembles traditional flooring the most. Obtained by compacting thin strips of bamboo randomly, BamWood flooring has an exceptional stability and hardness, much greater than the others. Indeed, in the Brinell hardness test, it achieves a resistance of +/- 9 kg/mm², i.e. twice that of a classic floor.
Discover our flooring from the BamWood collection
Which variety of bamboo does ootouch use?
We use a single variety of bamboo: Phyllostachys Pubescens, also known as giant bamboo or moso bamboo. This variety is the most widely used for construction and for the consumption of its young shoots. It is harvested after five years of growth, giving it significant hardness.
What is the wear layer of a floor?
In direct contact with shoes, furniture and doors, the wear layer is the top layer of the flooring plank. It is the one that suffers external aggressions, being exposed to open air. The wear layer is also the part of the plank that is reduced during the sanding required to apply a finishing product or during floor renovation. The thicker the wear layer, the harder it is and the more its longevity is guaranteed.
What is the latest novelty in flooring?
ootouch is always looking for innovations and novelties to offer consumers exceptional and original bamboo products. Our latest novelty in our flooring ranges is Flexibam. An SPC floor with a layer of solid bamboo, varnished, ultra-resistant and waterproof. Its quick and easy installation, thanks to a click system for floating laying, is ideal for renovations or for your bathroom. A true gem of innovation!
Is transporting bamboo to Europe by boat polluting?
By land, by sea, by air, today there are many ways to transport products around the world. At ootouch, our materials are transported by sea, by boat. A choice justified by the very low environmental impact of this mode of transport: transporting one square metre of flooring emits as much greenhouse gas as an average petrol car travelling a distance of 1.2 km!
Why choose a product from the ootouch brand?
ootouch products contain neither resin nor PCP. Their formaldehyde emissions are well below the detection threshold and European standards. For over 20 years, we have been working to promote the use of bamboo for its many qualities. Indoors or outdoors, bamboo remains the best alternative to wood, with a genuinely positive impact on its environment and therefore on the planet.
