Bamboo Flooring - Comments
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My wife likes the bamboo, but everyone at the flooring store today told us that it scratches easily. True or false?
Chad at February 9, 2008 06:59 PM
Posted by: Chad at February 9, 2008 06:59 PM:~) There is no black and white answer here. There are many variables impacting the situation you are talking about. To start, all natural materials can be damaged and some easily.
The age of the bamboo when it's harvested makes a difference as to strength and scratch/dent resistance; the older it is the sturdier it is. The way it's processed will impact the sturdiness as well -- too much carbonizing weakens the cells. Vertical and horizontal cuts also impact the hardness of the floor; horizontal cut is stronger than vertical cut. The hardest bamboo floor you can buy is a horizontal and uncarbonized (natural) that's made from 7 year old grasses.
After experiencing bamboo flooring that was pre-finished I would not go that route again. I'd finish my flooring in place so the gaps, nail holes and imperfections arising from installation can be filled and sealed. I believe that will make the most durable and easy to care for bamboo floor.
Now it's up to you to decide if the bamboo is for you. It receives compliments from everyone who sees it. It's easy to care for. I love mine.
The Flooring Lady at February 10, 2008 07:46 AM
Posted by: The Flooring Lady at February 10, 2008 07:46 AMWe had carbonized bamboo installed and finished by a professional in October, by November the boards begain to separate from one another. They same installer removed the flooring in Janauary and installed new bamboo two weeks ago and again a few baords have sepearted from each other. The isntaller had installed brazillian cherry throughout our home a few years ago without issue. Is this typciall of bamboo?
Rob at February 12, 2008 08:09 AM
Posted by: Rob at February 12, 2008 08:09 AMI'm guessing you didn't acclimate the bamboo to your home first. Given the humid climate bamboo is grown and manufactured in you can imagine how much moisture it holds. Even if you live in a humid area of the U.S. it's not as humid as where bamboo came from. And your home is even drier than the general climate of your area.
I harp on how important it is to acclimate bamboo flooring (cork too) before installing it. I live in an arid region and it took months for my floor to get dry enough to install -- and I had it stacked outside the packaging indoors during most of that time.
If you want to try it again be sure to open the bamboo packaging and let it sit in the areas you'll be installing it until the hygrometer reads something like 10-11% (or see what your installer recommends as a reasonable moisture content for your area). Then you can have it installed with no problem. My bamboo floor has been installed for two years now and I'm not having any separation or buckling.
The Flooring Lady at February 12, 2008 08:43 AM
Posted by: The Flooring Lady at February 12, 2008 08:43 AMThank you for the note the installer delivered the unfinished bamboo to our home 21 days befreo install. The bamboo was removed from any packaging and straps at delivery.
Rob at February 12, 2008 09:25 AM
Posted by: Rob at February 12, 2008 09:25 AMThen a few other ideas include the bamboo may not have old enough when it was harvested. Or the flooring is defective from a manufacturing perspective. Or, 21 days wasn't enough time for your bamboo to acclimate.
Who is the flooring manufacturer? Have you contacted them about this problem?
The Flooring Lady at February 12, 2008 09:46 AM
Posted by: The Flooring Lady at February 12, 2008 09:46 AMBamboo flooring doesn't seem to have the natural temperature warmth of wood flooring. Is there any truth in that?
Allen at April 3, 2008 11:01 AM
Posted by: Allen at April 3, 2008 11:01 AMI don't even know what that means. Can you tell me more?
The Flooring Lady at April 3, 2008 11:08 AM
Posted by: The Flooring Lady at April 3, 2008 11:08 AMYour original comment was under Best Kitchen Flooring. Read this comment thread to find what I like best for my suggestions on sealants.
Maple is a beautiful wood for flooring (and cabinets), but it's not as sustainable a product as bamboo. Your environmental position and preference for which looks better in your home will be the determining factor. And the same sealant recommendation applies to maple as bamboo.
The Flooring Lady at April 10, 2008 08:41 AM
Posted by: The Flooring Lady at April 10, 2008 08:41 AM
I was thinking of using Bamboo in a remodeling job of my family room. I live in Florida and have been told that the humidity may cause a problem. What do you think?
Cindy at May 18, 2008 10:02 AM
Posted by: Cindy at May 18, 2008 10:02 AM(Read the article that everyone's commenting on.)
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