thoughts on bamboo floor

last month

We are building a custom home on the bay and are in the builders bidding phase. One builder said absolutely no wood floors due to humidity. (Although they don’t have any wood options in their showroom and they seem to want everything chosen from their stuff). The other builder said not a problem and suggested bamboo. This is Delaware and is not super humid and will be air conditioned.

Featured Answer

millworkman

last month

"We are building a custom home on the bay and are in the builders bidding phase."

Your home, your dollars, get what you want. If the builder can not give you want you want move on.

"(Although they don’t have any wood options in their showroom and they seem to want everything chosen from their stuff)"

Then he is NOT a custom home builder in my mind. Most custom home builders I am familiar with do not have "showrooms".

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (15)

chispa
last month
Bamboo was the hot trend and darling of the flooring industry back in the late 1990's. You rarely hear of anyone using it on the building/decorating forums these days.

We live in FL, near the Gulf, and have engineered wood floors, so I don't see why you couldn't use them.

The current trend and darling of the flooring industry is LVP. Some people love it and other don't. We didn't like the way it sounded when walked on, when installed on a slab, so we went with the engineered wood floors. Very happy with that choice.
dan1888
last month
I'd rule the first builder out. He's not paying for or living in the house. The second seems out of it but may be capable for non-finish level work. I wouldn't rely on him for design input. European Oak engineered flooring is a current option. Hakwood is made in Denmark with a time lag for custom tone, finish, and grade. DuChateau and Monarch Plank and many other sources have flooring produced in various SE Asian locations. Hurst Hardwood is another source. The species of oak does not have an open grain, is less yellow and does not oxidize yellow over time as much. Closed grain allows wide up to 11" flat cut to show off the wood structure. Water poly in matte is one finish.

Hallmark Terra Laguna

IKEA Vedhamn

Hallmark Terra Newport

Siberian Oak - Lord Flooring China

DOCA -Spain
0
Related Discussions
Bamboo on my Porch! Thoughts?
Q
Comments (1)
I had one of my Goldens in the 5 gallon container for at least a year and it was fine. They don't start spreading until the spring and you said it still had room so it should be o.k. I think the planter box would be fine as long as it has good drainage. Others on the site will probably know more than I do.
...See More
Premium Green bamboo flooring by Simple Floors
Q
Comments (1)
There is a product made by Duro Design that is the highest quality, and completely "green" that you should check out. Some more information is available at http://greenbambooflooring.com/ Here is a link that might be useful: Green Bamboo Flooring by Duro Design
...See More
US Floors Strand Bamboo Flooring?
Q
Comments (1)
Hi, I'm investigating bamboo flooring as well, and I see that Consumer Reports ranks the Teragren Synery as number two behind EcoTimber Woven strand. I've haven't checked all the prices, but it seems like it might be worth while investigating. Good luck. Holly
...See More
Thoughts about Strand Bamboo - Any Downsides?
Q
Comments (3)
Yes there are downsides. Is it solid or engineered? The solid has had serious problems and is being phased out by many makers. I assume they have done so in response to issues with the product cupping when glued down over concrete. I did a lot of solid strand Bamboo. Then two consecutive floors cupped despite having concrete within an acceptable range, being properly acclimated and using the correct adhesive. This was with two different brands of flooring. If it's solid, beware! Google "strand bamboo cupping". You're better off getting the engineered type.
...See More
Related Professionals
San Rafael Flooring Contractors · Coffeyville General Contractors · Duncanville General Contractors · Kemp Mill General Contractors · Redan General Contractors · Richfield General Contractors · Bell Gardens Architects & Building Designers · Gardere Design-Build Firms · Farmington Home Builders · Immokalee Home Builders · Ocean Acres Home Builders · West Carson Home Builders · Bremerton General Contractors · Newburgh General Contractors · West Lafayette General Contractors
PRO
Uptown Floors
last month
Whoaaa. Bamboo suggested by a builder. They are definitely living in the past
HU-18205843
last month
Bamboo has more warranty claims than all other wood floors all together. It hates humidity and wet concrete slabs. Which is all of FL.
0
ladybug A 9a Houston area
last month
We have bamboo installed by previous owners. In houston on slab. No issues.
PRO
Uptown Floors
last month
"Bamboo has more warranty claims"

With a large percentage from Lumber Liquidators buyers. They lost a lot of their "paid off" inspectors years ago.

A good product will perform well if installed correctly and attention to moisture readings or issues related to.
0
Pam W
Original Author
last month
Would love to hear alternatives that are not lvp or ceramic woodlook products. Our architect said bamboo is harder than 'hardwood' so would hold up better with dogs. It's a retirement home.
0
millworkman
last month
Bamboo is just not stable. It moves a tremendous amount. More critical than most hardwaoods that you have HVACV and that it is used cionsistently, consistent humidity levels in the home and that it is instlled 100% correctlly. Also the less expensive products have more of the issues (LL Flooring, box stores, etc.)
0
chispa
last month
I have engineered wood floors and 3 dogs, two of which are 60 lbs and high energy. We installed the floors when we built in 2021 and we are very happy with them. So far they are performing better than the site finished wood floors in my previous house, with the same 3 dogs!

DuChateau, Riverstone Collection
PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
last month
Interesting article.
0
Clyde Kalvin
last month
I’m in NC which I would think is more humid than Deleware. I have had site finish hardwoods(white oak)in my past 3 houses. Never an issue. If you control your humidity in the house you should be fine. I currently live in a log cabin which is not tight. I use a dehumidifier along with AC in the warmer months to control humidity. The floors have been fine.
0
millworkman
last month
" I have had site finish hardwoods(white oak)in my past 3 houses. "

Bamboo is not like oak (white or red), nor behaves like oak. Technically it is a hardwood but it is not stable at all and a quality product and HVAC are paramount or you will end up with a hot mess.
0
PRO
Minardi
last month
Bamboo is a grass, and most bamboo floors aremore glue than cellulose. Terrible stuff in all respects. Wood look tile is a once and done, forever and ever, choice. It laughs at dog nails, refrigerators rolling, tables dragging, or sandblasting by beach covered shoes.
porkchop_mxk3 z5b_MI
last month
I live in Michigan. We're surrounded on three sides by fresh water seas aka the Great Lakes. I highly doubt Delaware is more humid than Michigan. Hardwood floors are a flooring of choice here.

I have some sort of bamboo cr*ppola in my great room that was put in by the previous owner. I'm not sure exactly what the product is other than "hand-scraped bamboo", per the real estate listing. I can't wait to get rid of it. IMO looks kinda plastic-y but the major problem is it scratches all to heck, and the floor cannot be refinished like hardwood can because the bamboo is only on the outer layer, it can't be sanded down. So I have flooring in this giant room that's all scratched up with surface scratches that look white and accentuate the plastic look. Great... Funds preclude me from lifing the sh*t out and replacing with hardwood to match what's in the rest of the house, so I'm stuck with it for now.

Stay far away from bamboo flooring -- get the hardwood, you won't regret it.
0