Bamboo Flooring Reviews – Today, bamboo flooring becomes a flooring option that is not only attractive but also environmentally-friendly, versatile, and easy to maintain. However, it has some pros and cons. So, you will have to know them in detail.
You have to know everything about bamboo flooring before deciding whether it is appropriate for your needs. It is a good idea to compare it to other flooring options. It does not only relate to the look but also other aspects including the price & installation.
There are also many brands of bamboo flooring recommended to buy. In this article, we will also guide you to choose & install bamboo flooring.
Pros of Bamboo Flooring
There are many reasons why bamboo flooring is a good idea for you and have many positive reviews. Here are the pros you need to know:
Easy to maintain
You can easily clean bamboo floors. You may just need to use a dustpan and broom for light bamboo. If you consider a vacuum cleaner, you must be careful because it can cause scratches and scars. You can use a warm water and hardwood floor cleaner for a weekly cleaning.
If you use water, you have to dry it soon because it can make the floor slippery. For spilled drinks, you can clean it up with a sponge immediately. If you find scuff marks on your bamboo flooring, you can get rid it out using a mixture of warm water and wood cleaner.
Renewable
Everyone knows that bamboo flooring belongs to a renewable resource. You can plant your own bamboo and use it as flooring material. In addition, bamboo can be re-harvested every 3 years without damaging the plant and disturbing the grove.
In the rainy season, it can cause cracking. In the dry season, it can encourage fungi. Farmers should wait for the right time to harvest the most durable poles of bamboo. It usually happens in the beginning of the dry season.
Durable
There are many types of bamboo flooring and some of them are durable. For example, strand woven belongs to the densest bamboo. Even more, it is considered three times stronger compared to other types of bamboo. If you want a durable bamboo floor, a light natural tone should be your choice. Darker bamboo is usually weaker than the light tone one.
Can be refinished
If you find minor scratches on the surface, they can be refinished using a pen or crayon. However, it does not give permanent effects and you will need to re-apply the wax every few months. If you find excessive signs, they must be sanded and refinished. However, you have to do it carefully.
Stylish
If you want your home interior has a sleek contemporary look, bamboo flooring will be a good idea to apply. It also comes with clean lines and brings a modern design. With natural patterns, bamboo has unique characteristics. So, everyone will be impressed.
Affordable
Compared to hardwood floor, bamboo is much more affordable. However, the price is various depending on the thickness and brand. You can find bamboo planks that cost under $ 3/square foot. However, there are also some types of bamboo that cost more than 5 dollars per square foot.
Can be installed with radiant heating
There are some conditions where radiant heating systems work with bamboo flooring. In this case, you should acclimate your bamboo flooring adequately before you install it. You should also monitor the temperature. If you want to install radiant heating system under the bamboo, make sure that you check the guidelines.
Termite Resistant
Bamboo flooring is treated using chemicals that make the bamboo termite resistant. So, you can enjoy your bamboo flooring without any worry of termite damage.
Friendly to allergy sufferers
If you suffer from seasonal allergies, you do not need to worry to plan bamboo flooring. You just need to put away the tissues after you install it. In fact, bamboo is resists mold & mildew, repels dust & pollen, and is inhospitable to dust mites.
So, if you want to shop for bamboo, ensure that the flooring contains low VOCs and formaldehyde-free. You must be careful because bamboo can release chemicals causing allergic reactions and even respiratory diseases.
Read Also: A Must-Read Basic Knowledge About Bamboo Flooring In A Basement To Share with You
Cons of Bamboo Flooring
However, you need to know that bamboo flooring has some cons. You must be careful read some reviews before buying because bamboo flooring is:
Prone to scratches
Even though bamboo is three times harder compared to oak woods, scratches can still happen. In this case, you can consider strand-woven bamboo flooring because it is thicker. Besides, you can also look for manufacturers that offer longer warranty.
Susceptible to water damage
Everyone knows that water can damage bamboo. Water-damaged flooring can grow mold and bacteria between the planks. Therefore, you have to leave your bamboo dry. It means bamboo flooring is not appropriate for bathrooms or kitchens.
Susceptible to humidity damage
Before you decide to install bamboo flooring, you have to consider the level of humidity. In fact, moisture wills each bamboo. On the contrary, too dry air can make bamboo easy to crack.
Contains toxins
Some types of bamboo contain urea-formaldehyde that causes health issues like respiratory difficulties. So, when you buy bamboo, you have to ensure the quality of the bamboo is good enough. You can see the label and ensure that it is formaldehyde and VOC-free.
Contemporary
As we know, bamboo lacks natural knots & graining. So, it looks trendy & cold. Bamboo also seems to be devoid of character & charm. In addition, it may look out of place in traditional or rustic designs.
Comparisons between Bamboo and Other Flooring Alternatives
Below, in this reviews we will compare bamboo with some other flooring alternatives. Let’s pay attention to the following comparisons:
Bamboo Vs Hardwood
Bamboo is three times harder compared to oak. Darker bamboo is usually weaker. To enhance scratch & water resistance, bamboo flooring can be treated with coats of sealer.
Anyway, bamboo has an artificial and trendy look. You need to know that hardwood comes in various graining patterns, tones, and grades. Hardwood is also available in various sizes, textures, and colors.
Bamboo Vs Carpet
Compared to carpet, bamboo is cleaner. Bamboo flooring does not hold allergens. It does not trap dirt and dust, too. You just need to wipe up the spilled drinks to clean it.
Bamboo usually last around 20 years. On the other side, carpet is softer and more comfortable. However, it requires regular steam-cleaning. You also need to replace it every 5 to 10 years.
Bamboo Vs Tile
Tile is appropriate for any home. It is available in different colors, shapes, and varieties. It is also easy to maintain. On the other side, bamboo is also durable and a bit softer. So, it will be more comfortable for children to play around.
Bamboo Vs Vinyl
Vinyl is more affordable than bamboo. It costs from 3 to 8 dollars per square foot. However, you have to know that vinyl cannot be refinished. So, you must replace it if it is gouged or scratched. On the other side, you can refinish bamboo many times. Bamboo is also harder and it is better at resisting dents & scratches.
Bamboo Vs Cork
Cork flooring is environmentally-friendly like bamboo. However, it comes with better air-quality rating. Both bamboo and cork belong to renewable resources. Both of them are also susceptible to dampness and humidity but bamboo can stand better to liquid. Both of them are also easy to clean and user-friendly. However, cork should be released annually. For the price, cork usually costs 3 to 10 dollars.
Bamboo Flooring Quality Guidelines
Bamboo comes in various options. So, you may need to pay attention to the following guidelines:
This is the densest form of bamboo. It is 2x harder than Tigerwood and Brazilian Cherry. It also comes with a tensile strength higher than others. With its hardness, it features an aluminum oxide bamboo.
Vertical and Horizontal
Vertical & horizontal bamboo resembles traditional hardwood species. They are different on how the planks are constructed. Horizontal bamboo has prominent knots & a distinct grain pattern. On the other side, vertical bamboo comes with a less obvious grain pattern & a textured look.
Moisture Level
The quality of bamboo can be determined by the moisture level. In this case, you should buy bamboo with 6 to 9 percent of moisture level. The moisture level will impact to the performance and longevity of your floor.
Harvest Method
The method of harvesting can also determine the quality of the bamboo. Therefore, you have to find bamboo with at least six years old. It is also better if the bamboo is harvested from a lower section of the trunk.
Warranty
When buying bamboo, make sure that it has structural warranty for at least 25 years and protection against surface wear for 10 years.
Air-quality Rating
One more thing to consider is the air-quality rating. It also relates to health and safety certifications. Make sure that you only choose environmentally-friendly bamboo. You can consider bamboo with water-based and solvent-free finish. The bamboo should also be free from violate organic compounds.
Price
Bamboo is not the most affordable option. However, it can be a good deal compared to hardwood. As it is mentioned above, bamboo costs from 3 to 10 dollars per square foot.
Bamboo Wood Flooring Installation
There are 3 ways for installing bamboo flooring:
- Nail down. This method should be done by a professional. The bamboo boards should be measured & laid out rightly so that they have a tight fit, an aesthetically pleasing design, and even rows.
- Glue down. This can be an option for you who plan for bamboo flooring. It requires you to adhere the bamboo planks too your floor with ultra-strong glue.
- Floating/click-lock. This is the simplest way. You can even do it on your own easily. It does not require nails and glue.
Read Also: 5 Greatest Types of Bamboo Flooring You Can Consider Optioning
Best Brands of Bamboo Flooring
There are many brands of bamboo flooring and we will reviews some of the best options below:
It belongs to the best options in the market. It comes in engineered & solid varieties in more than 33 colors. Read More About Cali Bamboo Flooring
This one is an affordable option without ruling out the quality. Trinity bamboo is FloorScore Certified & Clean Air Verified. Read More Trinity Bamboo Flooring
Smith and Fong Plyboo Flooring
It is available in four lines and more than 25 colors & tones. It is 100% FSC certified. It comes in 6-foot lengths.
This brand has a great reputation both with professional designers and homeowners. There are so many ideas with this brand of bamboo. If you are looking for eco-friendly flooring, you can consider bamboo from Ambient BP.
This brand of bamboo offers 36 colors. The bamboo is also available in both tongue & groove and click-lock styles.
It is available in both engineered and solid varieties. This brand offers 12 lines of planks in different lengths and widths. You can also find over 25 patterns and shades of bamboo. For the price, it costs from 5 to 8 dollars per square foot.
It also belongs to the most popular brands of bamboo. Many prestigious universities and hotels use this brand of bamboo. There are many lines of strand-woven bamboo available in solid and engineered varieties.
Today, you can purchase bamboo with this brand through the local flooring dealer after read reviews. However, you can also buy it online.
This is another best recommendation you can consider. If you want easy-to-install bamboo flooring, Tesoro Woods can be a good choice based on reviews.
It is also affordable. This strand-woven bamboo is available in 7 different patterns and colors. It is designed to have maximum stability.
This bamboo flooring is also good for any condition including in extreme temperatures. If you live in a damp location, this brand of bamboo flooring can meet your needs.
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