Obtaining physical samples is a critical step for UK consumers and trade professionals considering bamboo flooring. It allows for direct assessment of colour, texture, finish, and quality before committing to a significant purchase. While many flooring retailers offer sample services, understanding the specific programmes, associated costs, and material characteristics is essential for making informed decisions. This article details how to access bamboo flooring samples, the typical costs involved, and the key features of the material, based exclusively on available source data.
Accessing Free Bamboo Flooring Samples
Several programmes exist that provide bamboo flooring samples to potential customers, allowing them to inspect the material in their own homes or businesses.
Ambient Flooring Free Sample Packs
Ambient Flooring offers a dedicated free sample programme. The company explicitly states: "Free Floor Samples - Free sample packs so you can inspect the quality of our products from your business or home." This programme appears designed for both residential and commercial clients.
Ambient positions itself as a premium provider with significant industry credentials. The company reports: - Two decades of experience with glowing reviews. - An A+ BBB rating (Better Business Bureau). - Annual product safety testing to meet stringent standards. - A lifetime warranty covering both structure and finish. - Recognition as "The Installer's Choice" with over 20 years of proven quality.
These credentials suggest the free samples represent high-quality, safety-tested, and warrantied materials.
Kompareit.com Flooring Samples
Kompareit.com offers a service to help consumers find flooring solutions, including bamboo. While the site does not explicitly state it sends free physical samples itself, it facilitates access to competitive pricing and likely samples through its network. The site offers a "Free Flooring Cost Calculator" where users can "Fill out our 30 second free form to receive competitive pricing from pre-screened flooring companies." The service is described as having "No commitments" and being "always free." This suggests that samples may be obtained through the pre-screened companies identified via this service.
Paid Sample Programmes: PlybooDirect
In contrast to free sample programmes, some manufacturers charge for samples to cover material and shipping costs. PlybooDirect is one such provider, selling individual "Chip" samples for a set price.
Pricing and Availability
According to the source data, PlybooDirect sells individual sample chips for a regular price of $15.00 each. The site lists numerous samples, including: - Havana Strand, Prefinished (9/16") Bamboo Flooring - Brushed Amber Stiletto Strand Bamboo Floor - Brushed Barnwood Stiletto Strand Bamboo Floor - Durapalm Sugar Deco 9/16" Tongue+Groove Floor - Durapalm Island Starscape 1/2" Click Floor - Durapalm Starscape Click-Lock Floor - Natural Edge Grain, Prefinished (5/8") Bamboo Flooring - Amber Edge Grain, Prefinished (5/8") Bamboo Flooring - Sahara Strand, Prefinished (9/16") Bamboo Flooring - Brushed Sahara Stiletto, Strand Bamboo Floor
Stock Status
A critical observation from the source data is the inventory status of these samples. The vast majority of the listed samples are marked as "Sold out". This indicates that while the sample programme exists, current availability may be limited or restricted to specific product lines at any given time.
Characteristics of Bamboo Flooring
Understanding the material itself is vital when evaluating samples. Source [2] provides detailed information on the types, cost, maintenance, and performance of bamboo flooring.
Material Composition and Environmental Benefits
Bamboo is technically a grass, not a wood. It grows rapidly and abundantly, making it an eco-friendly choice. Bamboo is ready for harvest in just four to five years, compared to the 100+ years required for an oak tree to mature sufficiently for hardwood flooring.
Types and Appearance
There are three primary types of bamboo flooring, each offering a distinct visual: - Horizontal Bamboo: Uses wider sections of the bamboo to highlight the material's unique patterns. - Vertical Bamboo: Has an appearance closer to traditional hardwood. - Strand-Woven Bamboo: Also resembles hardwood but offers a distinct look.
Bamboo flooring provides a warmth, richness, and character similar to hardwood but with a distinctive aesthetic. It typically features a tighter grain pattern than hardwood, with darker bands running through the floor, which helps avoid a "cookie-cutter" look.
Cost Comparison
Bamboo is often more affordable than traditional hardwood. Good quality bamboo costs approximately $4 to $7 per square foot, whereas hardwood floors average around $10 per square foot. The price is similar to laminate flooring, but bamboo offers the benefit of being a natural material.
Durability and Maintenance
Bamboo floors are described as easy to clean and maintain. Routine care involves sweeping regularly. Spills should be cleaned promptly with a soft cloth, ensuring the area is completely dry. Difficult stains or scuff marks can be removed using a wood floor cleaner.
To maximise longevity, experts recommend: - Removing shoes indoors. - Placing rugs in high-traffic areas.
With proper maintenance, bamboo floors can last for generations.
Hardness Rating
When evaluating samples, consumers should look for bamboo with a hardness rating of at least 1400 pounds per square inch (psi) on the Janka scale, a well-respected industry standard for measuring hardness.
Evaluating Samples at Home
When receiving free or paid samples, consumers should perform several checks to ensure the product meets their needs:
- Colour Matching: Place the sample in the room where it will be installed and view it at different times of day to see how natural and artificial light affects the colour.
- Texture and Finish: Run your hand over the surface to feel the texture. Check the sheen level (matte, semi-gloss, etc.).
- Durability Tests: If the sample is large enough, attempt to scratch the surface gently with a key or coin to test its resistance to scuffs (though this should be done carefully and is not always recommended by manufacturers).
- Water Resistance: Place a small puddle of water on the sample for several minutes to observe how the finish holds up and whether the material swells or stains. Note that while bamboo is durable, it is not immune to water damage if spills are left standing.
- Size and Scale: Ensure the dimensions of the sample plank are representative of the full-size product, as smaller samples can sometimes misrepresent the overall pattern and grain variation of a floor.
Conclusion
For UK consumers seeking bamboo flooring samples, options exist through both free programmes and paid direct purchases. Ambient Flooring offers free sample packs, emphasising their product quality and safety standards. Kompareit.com provides a free service to connect consumers with pre-screened flooring companies who may offer samples as part of their sales process. PlybooDirect sells individual sample chips for $15.00, though current stock appears limited.
When evaluating samples, it is important to verify the material's hardness (aim for 1400 psi on the Janka scale), understand the different types (horizontal, vertical, strand-woven), and recognise that bamboo is an eco-friendly, cost-effective alternative to hardwood. Proper maintenance, including regular sweeping and immediate spill cleanup, ensures the longevity of bamboo flooring. By utilising available sample programmes, consumers can make informed decisions based on direct inspection of the material in their intended environment.