100% Green, Eco-friendly Bamboo Renewable Resource

Our solid strand woven bamboo flooring is derived directly from the pole of the Moso bamboo plant, which is grown in government regulated and sustainable plantations in the mountainous regions of China. Bamboo is an extremely versatile plant which is one of the strongest materials in the world. It has a tensile strength superior to cold rolled steel and a compressive strength higher than concrete.

Bamboo is now widely recognized as an environmentally friendly and rapidly renewable resource, reaching maturity and optimum density in just 5-6 years as compared to old growth timbers which can take from 50-100 years to mature. Due to its regenerative root clump structure, one plant can produce up to 200 poles in a single life cycle.

There is virtually no waste or pollution in the harvesting and production of our strand bamboo. Block factories are strategically located near the plantations where Moso bamboo grows. Virtually 100% of the pole is utilized in the manufacturing process and the limited waste product is either used by other industries or to generate the power that operates the factories.

Build Green and Gain LEED Credits

Affinity strand woven bamboo flooring contributes to the following certification and earns two credits under the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) commercial rating system.

LEED MR Credit 6
Rapidly Renewable Materials – the USGBC has established this requirement to help “reduce the use and depletion of finite raw materials and long-cycle materials by replacing them with rapidly renewable materials.” Affinity flooring is manufactured from 100% bamboo which is a rapidly renewable material.

LEED EQ Credit 4
Low-Emitting Materials – The USGBC has established this requirement to help “reduce the quantity of indoor air contaminants that are odorous, irritating and/or harmful to the comfort and well being of installers and occupants.” Affinity flooring is manufactured using a water based proprietary adhesive used in manufacturing which contains virtually no formaldehyde (0.5mg/m2h or 0.005ppm).

Durability and Stability
through the
Strand Woven Manufacturing Process

The Strand Woven manufacturing process produces a natural material which is harder, stronger and more stable than hardwood or traditional bamboo flooring.

Step 1

Dried bamboo poles are shredded into fine strips, dissecting and opening the cell structure of the plant.

Step 2

The bamboo strips are immersed in non-toxic, water-based glue which fills and encapsulates the exposed cells.

Step 3

A precisely measured quantity is fused together under tremendous force, resulting in a block similar in size and shape to railroad ties.

Step 4

The solid strand timbers are cut to size, kiln dried and processed similarly to traditional hardwood flooring.

Janka Hardness Comparision Chart

Combining the best quality bamboo with our patented hydraulic technology, Affinity strand woven bamboo flooring is designed to last. With a Janka hardness rating measuring an average of 176% harder than Red Oak and 275% harder than Maple, our flooring has exceptional indentation resistance.

The Janka hardness test measures the hardness of wood. It involves measuring the force required to embed an 11.28 mm (0.444 in) steel ball into wood to half its diameter. It is widely used to determine whether a species of wood is suitable for use as flooring. The higher the number, the harder the floor.

Source of Data: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory. www.fpl.fs.fed.us

Scratch Resistance Testing - GageMetal

Affinity Solid Strand Hardwood Flooring has the highest rating level of “H5” for hardwood flooring as illustrated in the Scratch Resistance Testing-GageMetal chart.

These are the test results showing the relative scratch resistance of various GageMetal finishes. The testing method used was ASTM D3363-00 Pencil Hardness. We tested the applied color finishes and topcoats used on GageMetal against certain benchmark finishes including standard stainless steel finishes, exterior automotive and appliance finishes.

Although our applied finishes demonstrate very good scratch resistance, please remember that nothing is "bullet proof", and literally all finishes can be scratched. If the scratch is deep enough to go through the applied finish, then the underlying substrate will be revealed.

Pencil hardness (ASTM D3363-00) is a standard method to test scratch resistance. Pencil lead comes in varying degrees of hardness. A soft lead leaves a heavy dark line while a hard lead leaves a finer gray line. The standard hardness of pencils goes (hardest to softest) 6H, 5H, 4H, 3H, 2H, H, F, HB, 2B, 3B, 4B, 5B, 6B. When the pencil lead is drawn across the surface of a finish a soft lead may not scratch the finish while a hard lead may. Finishes can then be rated by the hardness of the pencil lead that will scratch the surface.

As a reference, #8 polished, 304 stainless steel is rated an F, exterior automotive finishes rate between F to 2H and electroplated gold on stainless steel scratches with a 4B lead. By contrast, applied Gage opaque or transparent colors on stainless steel or aluminum achieve a 6H rating. The topcoat used on aluminum or brass GageMetal also rates a 6H.

Installation Made Easy with UNICLIC® Patented Technology

The patented UNICLIC® glueless installation system allows
Affinity flooring to be installed in 2 ways, by angling or snapping.

Angling

Activate the patented UNICLIC® system by positioning one board at an angle and pushing down and locking in.

Snapping

For areas such as under doorways or radiators where the boards cannot be angled, the patented UNICLIC® locking system can also be activated by tapping the boards in a horizontal manner.

Strong and Stable

The patented UNICLIC® system is designed to provide exceptional joint integrity for stronger and more stable flooring – guaranteed for the lifetime of the flooring.

Clean and Healthy

Boards lock together tightly to prevent dust, dirt and moisture inbetween the boards, making your flooring easier to keep clean.

Affinity Flooring
Product Information

Specifications

• Colors: Natural, Coffee and Warm Cherry
• 25 year Finish /Lifetime Structural Warranty
• Material Hardness: 3500 Janka
• Installation: Float with Locking System
• Location: On and Above Grade Level
• Subfloor: Wood/Concrete
• Edge/End: Kissed/Kissed

Key Drivers in Selection

• Trend To Performance –3X Harder vs. Oak
• Value Priced Upgrade - Premium visuals
• Trend toward locking - Simple to install
• Trend Toward Wider Widths – Planks vs. strips

Key Features and Benefits

• #1 selling colors with Superior Visuals
• Superior Performance
• Simple to Install

Affinity Flooring Product Labels

Affinity Flooring
Product Display

Display Footprint

32" wide x 24" deep x 72" high

Natural Color Variations

GPS Affinity Strand Woven Flooring is made of natural fibers.
Variations in color and tone are to be expected.

Affinity Strand Woven Flooring has beautiful natural color variations across each individual plank. When installing, be sure that light, medium and dark planks are installed randomly across the whole floor, leaving natural and varied coloration throughout your floor.

The best way to achieve this is to work from several opened cartons at one time (4 or 5 is best) Grade each carton according to light, medium or dark. Select from the various tones, laying out in a random manner across all tones. Take care not to lay one dark plank in the middle of light planks; this will stand out. Make sure that "fading" from one extreme to the other does not occur. Several light planks should be positioned next to several dark planks, then several medium planks, then several lights planks, etc. Be sure that a discernible pattern does not result. "Dry lay" a section of the floor to ensure that the planks are blended to your liking.

• Vacuum or sweep flooring at least once a week, or sooner, if needed
• Wipe up spills promptly
• Place mats at exterior doors
• Use rugs on high traffic areas
• Attach soft pads to the base of furnishings
• Lift up heavy furniture or appliances from floor when moving
• Keep pets’ nails trimmed to avoid scratches
• Maintain a comfortable and consistent relative humidity of 35-55%
• Do not walk on floor with sharp or pointed heels
• To maintain the beauty and newness of your floor, use a good hardwood floor cleaner such as Bona® or a similar product. Waxing, steam mopping and oil soaps are not recommended.