Cali Bamboo in extreme climates

3 years ago

My wife and I are in the early stages of building a home. We stumbled upon a cali bamboo LVP that is a color we really like. The brand seemed to cover quite a few of the items we were looking at. However, I have read that bamboo flooring has a difficult time in extreme climates (we live in Nebraska where the weather is all over the place) because the bamboo absorbs humidity. Are there any midwesterners here that have experience with the product?

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Comments (5)

SJ McCarthy
3 years ago
Bamboo is different from LVP. LVP means Luxury Vinyl Plank. The name Cali Bamboo is the business name. They started off EXCLUSIVELY selling high-end bamboo floors. But bamboo is having a hard time right now (low-quality products are KILLING the business...and scaring people because it is SOOOOO bad) so Cali Bamboo branched out into engineered floors, laminate and vinyl (where the BIG money is).

You are looking at VINYL...not bamboo. So relax and be aware that you are not in the 'bamboo horror show'. You are playing in the VINYL SAND BOX.

Vinyl has it's own set of issues. It does NOT like direct heat (like direct sunlight POOLING on the floor and raising the floor above 85F). It HATES UV light (like direct sunlight pooling on the floor for hours on end).

The easiest way to protect vinyl from heat/sunlight = high-level UV block on windows. I like to see 70% or higher UV block. Of course that makes growing plants an issue (they die/struggle at 70% UV block)...but your vinyl will be VERY happy.

And humidity control is big. Vinyl can handle large TEMPERATURE swings (as long as it never gets hotter than 85F or lower than 45F in the house)....it is the HUMIDITY that causes it to move and expand MORE than anyone will tell you. Much more than the sales people will EVER tell you ('cause if they told the WHOLE truth about 99% of the vinyl on the market they would NEVER sell any of it!!!).

Again, you are playing with VINYL not bamboo.
Andy Bose thanked SJ McCarthy
Andy Bose
Original Author
3 years ago
We are looking at the natural elm lvp and it states that it’s construction is a bamboo composite. It does not state that all the brand’s lvp descriptions. Still okay?
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SJ McCarthy
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
This is super new. Get a few samples and drop them in a tub/bath of water and leave it there for a few days. Or do the fish tank test. Be aware: the CORK on the bottom is the weakest link. If the cork gets wet, you have to throw out the plank.

Remember: there is NO floating floor that will prevent a flood of water from reaching the SUBFLOOR. The plank (construction) is water proof...but the click edges are not water TIGHT...nor are the edges at the wall considered water tight.

Any serious flood (most come from water lines running to fridges and dishwashers...btw) will require complete removal and disposal. To prevent a major flood, invest a few hundred dollars in an under-floor moisture monitoring. It is worth it's weight in GOLD and PLATINUM.
Andy Bose thanked SJ McCarthy
Andy Bose
Original Author
3 years ago
Super helpful! Thank you so much.
PRO
Cali Floors
3 years ago
Hi @Andy Bose! As mentioned above, our LVP flooring is different that our bamboo. You should have an easy time installing it where you are. :) We encourage you to check out ourcare and maintenance guide so you can get an idea of what you're in for with our vinyl.

Let us know if you have any questions, we are more than happy to help!

Cali Bamboo in extreme climates

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Cali Bamboo in extreme climates

Comments (5)

SJ McCarthy

Andy BoseOriginal Author

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SJ McCarthy

Andy BoseOriginal Author

Cali Floors

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Andy Bose
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Andy Bose
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