It's been a few years since I did any market testing on this. Actually it was only one job and one product. Back in '99 I handled a job that involved an addition. Some 1200 sf was added. The original bamboo floor was installed in '95..yea this was in the real early bamboo floor era. The new was brought in and absolutely no color difference. I checked it with areas that got a lot of direct sun and areas where it did not. No change, same product from Smith & Fong. There were also a few boxes left over stored above a garage. No color change. It was a carbonized type.

I've seen changes with the natural color in a showroom I had; being similar to Maple's color changes. Now, I'm seeing reports on other message boards indicating color changes, but they really don't specify which type...or I can't remember.

What's your take? Does the finish type make a difference? Manufacturer?

Real world experiences?

I think the colour problems still arise with the natural finished bamboo, much like most of the products we work with.
Carbonized bamboo on the other hand is not actually stained, but various chemicals and or smoke is introduced into the kiln during the drying process which permanently alters and stabilizes the colour.
Just my thought.

Last year I had a natural long plank bamboo AO/UV finish patina in a matter of a week where I had covered the floor to protect it from construction traffic. This building had full windows from top to bottom facing north.

I thought the carbonized was merely steamed to get the color. I guess that would hinder any significant color change, kinda like staining does. Although lots of carbonized comes in shades within one box thats not to be confused with UV color change.

So lighter stained bamboos are more likely to see color changes because they are natural in their original state?

At least that's what I remember...all stained bamboos I've seen are natural. Well...I take that back..some of the darker ones are stained carbonized.

Thats the way I see it Ken. Stained bamboo is a natural bamboo with the stain appied in the finish.

P.S. How do I get on Angie's List? Must I join and sign myself up?

Although some manufacturers DO offer stained bamboo (Teragren, for example), Carbonized bamboo is NOT stained, but treated at the kiln drying stage, as I mentioned before.

So, you think you know everything about bamboo and how it's made? Take the quiz first before reading the article below? (not speaking directly to anyone here) lol

http://home.howstuffworks.com/home-impr ... g-quiz.htm

A pretty informative article here. I see www.hardwoodinstaller.com is mentioned as a source at the bottom page.

http://home.howstuffworks.com/home-impr ... /printable

But some darker stained bamboos are carbonized. Greenwood has a few. I suppose it keeps or takes stain better than with the natural bamboo? They must have a reason for it.