FAQ
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General Questions
Flooring Questions
Plywood Questions
LEED Questions

Q: What's your correct company name?
A: 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 to PlybooStrand, PlybooSport and Neopolitan, so don't be surprised to find us listed under any of these monikers. It's all Smith & Fong.

Q: What products do you sell?
A: We offer a whole range of bamboo and coconut palm products, from flooring and trim molding to plywoods, panelings and veneers.

Q: Do you have a distributor or rep in our area?
A: Please visit our Contact page. If you're not sure about your area, please call our main office at 866.835.9859.

Q: How do I place an order?
A: If there is no distributor or rep in your area you can order directly through our main office by fax (415.896.0583) or email puneeta@plyboo.com. Unless you have previously established terms with Smith & Fong the only accepted payment method is by check or credit card.

Q: Can your products be used in exterior/outdoor applications?
A: It is not recommended, due to variations in climate, like humidity and temperature.

Q: Can your products be used as ceilings?
A: Yes. Although not specified for this particular purpose, our flooring, plywood and tambour paneling have all been used as ceilings.

Q: Is the Amber color a stain?
A: No, we simply caramelize the sugars that are in the bamboo to gain the amber color.

Q: What is the difference between the Edge Grain and the Flat Grain?
A: In an edge grain application ¾" x ¼" bamboo strips are laminated together with the ¼" edges of the strips 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 go to our Flooring page.

Q: How do I order samples?
A: Sample requests should be emailed to sales@plyboo.com.