There’s a lot of information out there that you need to process if you’re considering bamboo flooring. With so many important factors to take into account, it can be difficult to make a truly educated decision. To help with the process, here’s a list of the pros and cons of bamboo flooring:
Pros
- A rapid regrowth rate (reaching full maturity and hardness in about 7 years) gives bamboo a point in the eco-friendly department.
- It can be cheaper than more traditional hardwood flooring.
- Bamboo flooring comes in a variety of styles and colors.
Cons
- Irresponsible forestry practices (clear-cutting natural forests to make room for bamboo, unnecessary use of fertilizers and pesticides) make it environmentally unfriendly.
- Formaldehyde-based glues and finishes make bamboo flooring unhealthy for you and the environment.
- There is no enforcement of fair trade practices or quality control in China, where bamboo originates.
- Lots of energy must be expended to ship bamboo flooring overseas from China, another hit in the eco-friendly department.
- Premature harvesting (as early as 3 months) doesn’t allow the bamboo to properly harden, producing soft, non-durable floors.
- The darker variety of colors results from a special heat treatment that further softens the bamboo.
- Bamboo flooring cannot be refinished, so a dented, scratched, or otherwise damaged floor must be replaced, which drives up the cost.
So there you have it, the pros and cons of bamboo flooring. There are far more disadvantages than advantages, but the choice is ultimately yours.
Where did you get the information that bamboo can not be refinished?
We tested bamboo flooring samples ourselves to determine their refinishing potential. You can read our conclusions here: http://bambooflooringreviews.org/?p=56
Everything detailed in that article was witnessed firsthand as a result of our testing.
Has anyone else out there experienced “cupping” from water coming up thru the slab? If so, please respond to rcooper88@tampabay.rr.com
My carbonized bamboo floor has been installed for about 9 months and I am seeing some cupping of mine in areas where there is no water.
Hi
Im considering Mohawk strand woven bamboo, Hilea. Baked Natural color. Looks beautiful but have been reading so many negative things. We do not have central air so I am concerned with humidity and all the “cupping” I hear about. Solid hardwood and the engineered both dent quite easily from what Ive seen. That was my reasoning for wanting bamboo. However, Im giving it a second thought regarding everything negative. Any thoughts??
I’m a flooring contractor. And lately I have been replacing some bamboo floors installed as recently as 3yrs ago. One was a solid strand woven, installed over a deco rez epoxy membrane with some type of urethane glue over concrete. It failed to say the least. It cupped and has been literally rotting in different areas of the home. First the install was done incorrect. Second their is no moisture problem. We took test and found very miner readings. Another project was a engineered strand woven that also had the same problems. Not sure if the product was properly aged and cured. So I’m still researching the issues at hand.
Greg
Could you share with us the name of the manufacturer?
We had a bamboo floor laid last year and have been very pleased with it until recently when we noticed a 5mm gap appear between some planks. No cupping,or moisture noticed only this gap from one end of the room to the other in one plane.
Can yoou tell us if this is a common problem and is there something we can do to rectify it
Thank you
Liz