When considering hardwood flooring bamboo is worth checking out. It is a
little different than other materials however and as such has some
specific considerations.
There has been a lot of talk lately, and not all of it positive, about
the benefits and risks of installing bamboo hardwood flooring. Some
people report substandard performance. Warping, cracking, and denting
after only a short period of use some people report. Others say they
have had it for years and it is holding up great. So who’s right? Well
maybe both people! Just as there are inferior products produced in all
sorts of markets it is possible to purchase a low quality floor. There
are a few things to be aware of so that you can be sure you get the best
product.
All hardwood flooring is ranked using something called the JANKA scale.
It measures the impact strength of wood and is a good measure of how
well it will hold up to wear and tear with out dents and dings. Bamboo
is slightly higher than other commonly used materials like oak and maple
but the rating can be deceptive. While bamboo is more impact resistant
it is naturally more prone to scratching because of the type of fiber it
is. Old growth wood on the other hand is very resilient to scratches.
Because of this it is necessary to try and find a treated material with a
number that is exceptionally sky in order to reduce its vulnerability.
Another big complaint is the fact that some of this type of hardwood
flooring is installed with formaldehyde glue. There are worries that it
will leach toxins into the home and cause health problems. While this is
technically a valid concern there is no need for worry. The amount that
is present in the glue is well below all environmental standards and
less than exists in nature in most instances.
The number one tip for looking into bamboo hardwood flooring is to test
out some samples at a professional installers shop or have then send
samples to the home. Once you have the chance emulate any possible
damage. Smack it with a high-heeled shoe, slide a chair around on it,
and dig at it with a fingernail. If it doesn’t hold up this minor abuse
it certainly won’t be good day in and day out. Once a suitable hardwood
flooring has been found make sure to stay with the professional
installers and that they have experience with this material. They may
have thirty years experience but if they have never used bamboo before
they could cause some serious damage that will cost you money out of
pocket to replace. Also, make sure that the material they use is
pretreated. It is messy, expensive and toxic to get a floor treated in
home and in many instances it will void the warranty. So instead buy the
stuff that is ready to go in right away. It will be quick and easy to
have it put into the home and the results will knock your socks off.
