10-01-2013, 04:05 PM
quote:
Bamboo, whether horizontal or vertical solids, are laminated strands.
Yes. Using tubular bamboo stalks straight from the field as flooring might be a challenge. The strands are oriented with their grain following the length of the floorboards, and I think it's safe to assume the stranded bamboo floor boards react to moisture changes much like traditionally milled wood from a tree (greater movement across the grain).
Over-size base would need to be pretty darn thick to preclude any potential gaps or wall contact without base shoe. I haven't found such extra thick base at the usual local sources, or the accordingly thicker casings that would be needed to make oversize base work without being proud where it meets the casing (this is also a problem with base shoe, which can't easily be persuaded to gracefully join door casings). In a retrofit utilizing some source of extra thick base, unless the client was unusually easy to please, all existing casings would also need to be pulled and replaced with new, thicker casings. Yikes.
I've learned to be very deliberate when posting challenging or contrary opinions and ideas to forum threads since written language often lacks tonal cues which might soften the message, and misunderstandings are common, especially when participants are typing from the security of some remote place without direct contact. I appreciate and accept your Peace offering, but have to add that "respect" would have been more meaningful in your initial post (where, I'd politely argue, a thoughtful re-read of the thread will reveal, the "attack" actually occurs).