Luxury Housing Trends & Home Improvement Ideas

We’ve looked at bamboo floors before as an alternative to hardwoods. A recent article in the Wall Street Journal points out some problems with bamboo, so it may be worth taking a look if you’re considering the flooring material. Some of the points they mention:

• You should consider lighter, natural colors: “Homeowners who put down floors of bamboo that has been darkened are more likely to have problems with dents.”

• Check to see which part of the plant was used: “Bamboo flooring, made by binding strands of the Asian grass together with adhesives and compression, can be harder than oak, experts say — but only if it doesn’t come from the base or the top of the stalk.”
• Check the age of the bamboo: “Although bamboo can reach its full height in three to six months, it can take about six years to harden, or lignify. A floor made from bamboo that has not lignified will dent more easily.”

Full article: Oh, Shoot: The Trouble with Bamboo at Home