Are you looking for high-quality, environmentally-friendly flooring? Many people are considering bamboo. Unlike hardwoods, bamboo is a grass that takes only 5-6 years to grow, instead of 25-30 years. Bamboo is harvested and using bamboo saves trees.

Bamboo is a great option if you choose well. Just as you find low-quality carpeting or high-quality carpeting, you can get low or high quality flooring. All bamboo flooring is not the same. These seven tips will help you avoid mistakes and find flooring that you can be happy with for many years:

1. Which type of flooring would you like? There are 2 types of bamboo floor boards available – traditional and strand woven. Traditional bamboo flooring comes in 2 different grain directions: horizontal and vertical. Traditional bamboo can also be solid (bamboo all the way though) or engineered (thin veneer layer on top with compressed particle board). Even though traditional bamboo flooring is about 25% harder than Oak and Maple flooring, it still can be easily scratched or gouged. For these reasons there are many complaints from homeowners and business owners when working with traditional bamboo floor boards.

A far better option is strand-woven bamboo flooring. Strand-woven boards are compressed in the same direction with adhesive under extreme pressure. Eco-friendly companies use environmentally safe adhesives. This process fuses the bamboo strands together, creating a solid plank that is nearly twice as dense as regular bamboo flooring. This is what makes strand-woven bamboo flooring sostrong and durable. Strand-woven flooring is much harder than traditional bamboo and cannot be easily scratched, dented or gouged by high heels, small pets and furniture movement.

2. How hard is the flooring? There is a hardness measurement called Janka Hardness Scale. On this scale, for example, White Oak is 1360 and Maple flooring is 1490. Where does the flooring you’re considering rank on this scale? If you have children, high traffic or pets, look for bamboo flooring with Janka Hardness rating over 2300. Order samples. Once you get the samples, test them out. Bang on them, drop things on them, try to scratch them. Which product holds up the best?

3. How eco-friendly is the manufacturing process?If the flooring is engineered or strand-woven, it’s been processed to increase hardness. Look for bamboo flooring that is formaldehyde-free and is made with non-off gassing adhesives. If your project is going to be LEED-certified, check that the flooring meet LEED Submittal Criteria.

4. Are you looking for nail-down or floating flooring? Not every project needs nail-down flooring. Floating flooring can work well in certain situations. It snaps together and can be used over concrete and radiant heating. It can be used in projects that are not suitable for nails or adhesives. Floating flooring can also easily be uninstalled and taken with you when you move. When looking for floating flooring, be sure it is self-locking. The best way to be sure is to order samples and try them out. Do they easily come apart or do they hold together?

5. Can the flooring be used for your particular situation?Is it for residential use or commercial use? Can it be used in a high-traffic situation? Can it be used where moisture is a concern? Is it made for below grade installations?

6. Are matching accessories available?An outstanding job will include matching bamboo accessories. Can you get matching baseboard, base shoe, thresholds, stairs, stair nosing and flooring vents?

7. How good is the warranty?The warranty is the confidence the manufacturer has in their product. Look for a 25-year residential and 10-year commercial finish warranties and a 30-year structural warranty.

By taking into consideration these seven important tips, you’ll avoid many of the mistakes that first-time bamboo buyers have. You’ll have a bamboo flooring project you’ll enjoy for years to come.

7 Essential Tips For Choosing Bamboo Flooring

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Tags: 6 Years, Adhesives, bamboo floor, bamboo flooring, Business Owners, Extreme Pressure, Fuses, Hardness Measurement, Hardness Scale, Hardwoods, High Heels, Low Quality, Maple Flooring, oak flooring, Particle Board, Quality Carpeting, Quality Flooring, Small Pets, Strand, Strands, Thin Veneer