danger alert, page-18

Hey Sparkler

It sounds like you have some experience laying these floors? Is it the uniclic mechanism you are refering to ? If so seems half the worlds floor manufacturers have moved to this system and that would mean there must be a lot of fustrated chippies out there. I'm interested to know more if you can explain a bit further how you know its a pain in the ..tt to lay the stuff.

In terms of the inferior bamboo floors around, I think your point about this hurting the reputation of bamboo is a double edged sword because if the Style brand (as marketing at Synergy and Bamboo Fusion in nth america) is being differentiated from the duds then maybe this is a positive in the long run. I've been to the Teragran and Buckwold sites and the strand woven product is clesarly being offered as a premium product. If copies are inferior then can't they serve to prove the value of the patented process Style uses and most designers/architects specifying a green floor will specify the best in terms of durability etc. From an architects point of view cost is a secondary issue when it comes to designing eco freindly buildings and if a product is priced at or below the hardwood timber alternative, I don;t think they are going to think twice if they like the aesthetic. The trick (or opportunity) for style is to prove to specifiers they can trust only one brand on the market.

Since following this company for a couple of years I have to say it has been disappointing so far , but I still think there is a big market for them in the commercial arena and those tacky looking vinyl wood patterns aren't going to be getting any cheaper with oil prices where they are and hardwood timber is going to go through the roof before long.

Cheers

Hendrous