Are you going to import bamboo products? I think there are some tips you should know.

It is important to determine if a company is an importer or a manufacturer. An importer will buy from any factory that has the best price that day; therefore, no two shipments of products are alike, and you may never find them again when you have a problem. Some exist only on the internet. Many of these importers/brokers offer ¡®amazing prices¡¯ ¡ª and may be here today/gone tomorrow.

A true manufacturer [like QingCui Bamboo And Wood Products Co.,Ltd. ] controls the manufacturing process from harvest to final product, ensuring consistency of color and quality from year to year. [ANJI QINGCUI BAMBOO AND WOOD PRODUCTS CO.,LTD. is a specialized manufacturer of bamboo and wooden products locating in AnJi county, which is famous as Chinese Bamboo Hometown.]

There are several key factors other than price to consider when choosing bamboo panels and veneer:

How hard is it? Bamboo carpet can be as soft as fir and harder than maple depending on when it is harvested and what specie; there are over 1500 species of bamboo. [For instance, Qingcui bamboo averages 25% harder than red oak and 12% harder than North American maple. The hardness levels are due to Qingcui¡¯s stringent manufacturing specifications requiring Moso bamboo harvested only at maturity between 5-1/2 to 6 years.] Younger, less mature bamboo, harvested at 3 years or less, is less expensive, softer and less stable.

What kind of finish is used on your prefinished panels? There may be varying numbers of finish coats (from 3 to 6 depending on the mill) and varying ingredients from mill run to mill run. A polyurethane-only finish may be used, which will not be as durable as a finish containing aluminum oxide.

What is the formaldehyde level of the adhesive used to laminate the bamboo slats together to form the panels? High formaldehyde levels negate bamboo¡¯s environmental advantages. Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen. Higher-formaldehyde adhesives are less expensive than those with lower levels.

Are CSI Specifications or MSDS available from the company? Unless the company is manufacturing product from the same plant consistently as a manufacturer, there is no documentation available to certify CSI (Construction Specifications Institute) specifications, Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) or other legal specifications used in commercial and government projects. [These documents are available from Qingcui.]

What coordinating products are available? [Qingcui is the only bamboo flooring, panels and veneer manufacturer to provide a full spectrum of coordinating products including bamboo coaster, bamboo placemat , bamboo table runner, bamboo curtain, bamboo mat, bamboo carpet, fishing net and butterfly net, garden torch. Bamboo broom, Wooden flower barrel.]