F.A.Q.s
General Questions
What’s your correct company name?
We are Smith & Fong Company, manufacturers of Plyboo® bamboo and Durapalm® coconut palm products, both registered trademarks. The 3 ways we are most frequently listed are Smith & Fong, Smith & Fong Plyboo, or Smith & Fong Durapalm. We also manufacture and hold the trademarks of PlybooStrand, PlybooSport and Neopolitan, so don’t be surprised to find us listed under any of these monikers. It’s all Smith & Fong.
What products do you sell?
We offer a whole range of bamboo and coconut palm products, from flooring and trim molding to plywoods, panelings and veneers.
Do you have a distributor or rep in our area?
Please visit our Representative Locator page. If you’re not sure whom to contact in your area, please call our main office at 866.835.9859 or email info@plyboo.com
How do I place an order?
If there is no distributor or rep in your area you can order directly through our main office by fax (415-896-0577) or connie@plyboo.com. Orders require payment prior to shipping or pick up. Payments accepted are check, wire or credit card.
Can your products be used in exterior/outdoor applications?
Plyboo & Durapalm plywood & flooring is not recommended for exterior use, due to variations in climate, like humidity and temperature.
Can your products be used for ceiling applications?
Yes. Although not specified for this particular purpose, our flooring, plywood and tambour paneling have all been successfully used for ceiling applications.
Is the Amber color a stain?
No, it’s a natural color achieved through caramelizing the sugars that are in the bamboo during the manufacturing process. You will notice a variation of color between and within sheets, which is normal and natural to the product.
What is the difference between the Edge Grain and the Flat Grain?
In an edge grain application ¾” x ¼” bamboo strips are laminated together with the ¼” edges of the strips showing on the surface creating a “pin stripe” surface.
In a flat grain application ¾” x ¼” bamboo strips are laminated together with the wider 3/4” faces of the strips showing on the surface. Usually, the classic bamboo joints (aka knots, or knuckles) are more visible on the flat grain. For close up photos please visit our plywood page or read more here.
How do I order samples?
Sample requests should be emailed to sales@plyboo.com or by submitting your request online here
Is the Flooring/Plywood reusable if deconstructed? Recyclable or biodegradable? Is there a reclamation program for Plyboo?
Our Plyboo products are biodegradable,. The plywood could be reusable, but not the flooring. These products are not recyclable and there is not a reclamation program for them.
What is SoyBond™?
SoyBond, a proprietary manufacturing system, is the designation for Plyboo products made with soy adhesives.
Are SoyBond™ products formaldehyde free?
Yes
Flooring Questions
Are there installation instructions on the web site?
Yes, visit the Downloads section. They are also included inside every box of flooring that you purchase.
Is the flooring glue-down or nail-down?
PlybooStrand flooring is glue down only, while all others can be either glued or nailed down.
Can you put flooring over concrete?
Yes. Please follow the installation instructions.
Can your floors be installed over radiant heating?
Yes. However, we recommend contacting your radiant heating system manufacturer to check for their guidelines for bamboo or palm flooring. For more information check the installation instructions.
What kind of adhesive can be used to glue down a floor?
We recommend Bostik’s Best urethane adhesive, Bostik Single Ultra-Step & Bostik Vapor Lock.
What is the warranty on the floor?
25 Years. Please click here for our full warranty.
What kind of cleaner can be used?
For our floors we would recommend a hardwood floor cleaner made for polyurethane coated floors, like BonaKemi hardwood cleaners or Squeaky Cleaner by Basic Coating.
Can Plyboo floors be refinished?
Yes. For best results, we recommend applying an adhesion and two-coat finish system manufactured by either BonaKemi, www.bonakemi.com, or Basic Coatings, www.basiccoatings.com.
Plywood Questions
What is the difference between Plywood and Bamboo-Ply?
There is none. Plywood is the term our sheet goods are most commonly referred to, but since there really is no wood in our products and each sheet is made from 100% solid bamboo strips we like to call it bamboo-ply.
Which way does your grain run?
On all Plyboo & Durapalm products the grain runs length of the product.
What kind of finishes do you recommend for the bamboo plywood?
It depends on the application. For heavy use like a tabletop or a bar top, we recommend a very hard finish. For a lighter application like a cabinet door you may want to experiment with environmentally friendly finishes like linseed oil or oil wax. In general, our products can be finished with anything from waxes to polyurethanes, varnishes, oils, and lacquers.
What is the plywood warranty?
5 Years. Please click here for our full warranty.
What kind of cleaner can be used?
Different applications require different types of maintenance. Before applying any cleaning agent to your Plyboo plywood check for recommended cleaners with the manufacturer of the finish you used.
Where can I see samples of installations?
If you are in the San Francisco Bay Area please visit us at our showroom. For photos of case work and cabinetry visit our Gallery page.
What is the fire rating on Plyboo plywood?
The Plyboo meets a Class C fire rating per ASTM E 84.
LEED Questions
What is LEED?
LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is the U.S. Green Building Council’s voluntary, consensus-based Green Building Rating System that has evolved into a national standard for developing high-performance, sustainable buildings.
Which LEED credits do Plyboo products qualify for?
Plyboo Standard Flooring & Plyboo Plywood:
Credit MRc6, Rapidly Renewable Materials
Credit IEQ 4.3, Low-Emitting Materials, Flooring Systems (No Added Urea Formaldehyde)
Credit IEQ 4.4, Low-Emitting Materials, (No Added Urea Formaldehyde)
Credit MRc7, Certified Wood
PlybooStrand, Stiletto & Neopolitan Flooring:
Credit MRc6, Rapidly Renewable Materials
Credit IEQ 4.3, Low-Emitting Materials, Flooring Systems (No Added Urea Formaldehyde)
Credit IEQ 4.4, Low-Emitting Materials, (No Added Urea Formaldehyde)
Credit MRc7, Certified Wood
Durapalm Flooring & Plywood:
Credit IEQ 4.3, Low-Emitting Materials, Flooring Systems (No Added Urea Formaldehyde)
Credit IEQ 4.4, Low-Emitting Materials, (No Added Urea Formaldehyde)
Smith & Fong Co. Headquarters Information:
475 6th St
San Francisco, CA 94103
San Francisco, CA 94103
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday 7:30 am to 5:30 pm PST
