Bamboo Hardwood Flooring

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.