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Bamboo Floors |
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Q: I am interested in the engineered bamboo floors, e.g. horizontal, vertical, strand-woven. Are you aware of any durability/maintenance issues with these products compared to standard timber floors. A: I have heard that the quality of various types of bamboo floors varies quite a bit, depending on the manufacturer. Many bamboo manufacturing enterprises have popped up recently, with concomitant idiosyncratic/proprietary methods. Some are better than others. You should check out the track record of a possible source. A reputable dealer in the US is a good sign. The advantage of bamboo floors, besides the renewability and beauty attributes, is that they are purported to be harder than oak or maple, as well having a more stable temperature/dimensional stability. Two issues: The bamboo floor may darken with time. If this is fine, okay. Just beware of that possibility. I heard one testimonial that catastrophic impacts, ie, dropping a sharp edges, heavy object on the floor, may cause a dent, yes, but it may bend the fibers such that they may protrude from the floor. Basically, a rough spot that may require sanding or re-finishing. This is just one report and I have not heard anything like that before. Considering the damage would occur with a conventional floor, it may not be a big deal. Q: I live in an 160 year old home that has a covered screened porch that needs to de redone. I am interested in using bamboo on the floor. The floor does get wet with rain and a small amount of snow each winter. Would bamboo be appropriate? A: In a word, "no". It will swell and warp, just like wood. Keep the interior away from the elements, and its okay. Q: We live in Sydney, Australia, and want to build a deck at the front of our house. We would like to use as 'green' a material as possible to do so, are considering bamboo or recycled hardwood. In your experience, how does bamboo rate as a material used in outside decks which are exposed to rain, wind, sun etc? A: Bamboo will not endure exposure to the elements - crack, turn grey, & possibly rot. |
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Jo Scheer has been deeply involved in working with bamboo for about two decades, having lived in Rincon, Puerto Rico, where he built a home for his family with mainly bamboo components. He has been designing, building, and marketing a wide range of beautiful bamboo creations that can be seen at his website 
