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JldDolphin
Member since 1/07 6929 total posts
Name:
Jen
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Who Has Bamboo Flooring In Their Home?
We are thinking about installing bamboo flooring in our den/family room and we wanted to know the pros and cons of this type of flooring. Is it durable? Does it dent easy by furniture or droping something hard on it? Any info you can give me would be great. TIA! 
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Posted 5/28/08 4:32 PM  |
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smdl
I love Gary too..on a plate!
Member since 5/06 32461 total posts
Name:
me
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Re: Who Has Bamboo Flooring In Their Home?
I looked into it and was told it's very easy to scratch.
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| Posted 5/28/08 5:19 PM |
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GoldenRod
10 years on LIF!
Member since 11/06 26792 total posts
Name:
Shawn
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Re: Who Has Bamboo Flooring In Their Home?
I'm looking into it for my office, and one reason is that every place I've looked at claims that bamboo is harder and more dent/scratch resistant than most standard woods.
http://www.a1-wood-flooring.com/bambooflooringhardness.htm
Bamboo has got a high hardness ranking in the hardness scale as established by the NWFA (National Wood Flooring Association). It even outranks hardwood species like red oak. The special hardness of bamboo flooring makes it resistant to scratches and dents thus calling for fewer repairing ventures. This also contributes to the property of bamboo flooring being a lasting installation.
Hardness rating chart: http://homerenovations.about.com/od/floors/a/artwoodflrgloss_3.htm
Another chart:
http://www.hardwoodinstaller.com/hardwoodinstaller/hardness.htm
Bar chart:
http://www.woodfloorsonline.com/techtalk/hardns.html
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| Posted 5/28/08 9:17 PM |
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smdl
I love Gary too..on a plate!
Member since 5/06 32461 total posts
Name:
me
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Re: Who Has Bamboo Flooring In Their Home?
Posted by GoldenRod
I'm looking into it for my office, and one reason is that every place I've looked at claims that bamboo is harder and more dent/scratch resistant than most standard woods.
You see. I first read that and even told DH we were going to get those floors. But then I heard plenty of people that it was NOT hard at all and super fragile. They were disappointed with it.
ETA:
Here is what I found online quickly
http://www.finishing.com/260/96.shtml
http://www.prnewsnow.com/Public_Release/Business/71949.html
Message edited 5/28/2008 9:33:47 PM.
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| Posted 5/28/08 9:23 PM |
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Re: Who Has Bamboo Flooring In Their Home?
My BIL and wife have it in their apartment. They have a baby (10 months) and a yorkie and no scratches at all. It still looks brand new and it is 3 years old. DH wanted it but I was against because I do not like the look of the grain or the color.
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| Posted 5/29/08 7:33 AM |
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Acerone
I hate ants and ugly people.
Member since 3/07 6437 total posts
Name:
Chris
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Re: Who Has Bamboo Flooring In Their Home?
Bamboo is suppose to be very hard... I would suggest you pick up some sample and play with them rough like with a heel of your shoes and car keys. Then decide 
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| Posted 5/29/08 7:43 AM |
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GoldenRod
10 years on LIF!
Member since 11/06 26792 total posts
Name:
Shawn
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Re: Who Has Bamboo Flooring In Their Home?
Posted by smdl
Posted by GoldenRod
I'm looking into it for my office, and one reason is that every place I've looked at claims that bamboo is harder and more dent/scratch resistant than most standard woods.
You see. I first read that and even told DH we were going to get those floors. But then I heard plenty of people that it was NOT hard at all and super fragile. They were disappointed with it.
ETA:
Here is what I found online quickly
http://www.finishing.com/260/96.shtml
http://www.prnewsnow.com/Public_Release/Business/71949.html
Most of the complaints in the first link had the carbonized/caramelized bamboo. That IS much softer (even on the bar chart, you can see that it is much lower on the chart, and brands/varieties vary, so it's possible to get even softer ones).
I also wonder how bad the scratches really are, and how they are compared to other wood. ALL wood/bamboo floor will scratch and wear. I think that many people expect their floor to look brand-new forever.
I'm still going with the bamboo for my house. Besides the fact that I do believe all of the professional and independent reviews about the hardness (for the non-carbonized variety), it is a very eco-friendly material, so it's good for the environment.
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| Posted 5/29/08 7:43 AM |
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Acerone
I hate ants and ugly people.
Member since 3/07 6437 total posts
Name:
Chris
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Re: Who Has Bamboo Flooring In Their Home?
Then you have to decide if you want the grain of the wood Vertical or Horizontal...
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| Posted 5/29/08 7:46 AM |
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smdl
I love Gary too..on a plate!
Member since 5/06 32461 total posts
Name:
me
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Re: Who Has Bamboo Flooring In Their Home?
Posted by GoldenRod
Posted by smdl
Posted by GoldenRod
I'm looking into it for my office, and one reason is that every place I've looked at claims that bamboo is harder and more dent/scratch resistant than most standard woods.
You see. I first read that and even told DH we were going to get those floors. But then I heard plenty of people that it was NOT hard at all and super fragile. They were disappointed with it.
ETA:
Here is what I found online quickly
http://www.finishing.com/260/96.shtml
http://www.prnewsnow.com/Public_Release/Business/71949.html
Most of the complaints in the first link had the carbonized/caramelized bamboo. That IS much softer (even on the bar chart, you can see that it is much lower on the chart, and brands/varieties vary, so it's possible to get even softer ones).
I also wonder how bad the scratches really are, and how they are compared to other wood. ALL wood/bamboo floor will scratch and wear. I think that many people expect their floor to look brand-new forever.
I'm still going with the bamboo for my house. Besides the fact that I do believe all of the professional and independent reviews about the hardness (for the non-carbonized variety), it is a very eco-friendly material, so it's good for the environment.
I think this is what the second article is about. The expectation that bamboo is a "miracle" floor.
I guess people need to research which bamboo they are choosing to avoid disappointment.
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| Posted 5/29/08 8:17 AM |
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cjik
Welcome 2010!
Member since 2/06 8879 total posts
Name:
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Re: Who Has Bamboo Flooring In Their Home?
I do not have it and don't know anyone who does, but I remember we looked at one house that had bamboo flooring in the kitchen. The realtor looked at our shoes and said we could keep them on, but she mentioned she needed to ask people to take off heels because of the bamboo floor. Apparently the heels leave little dings in it.
It's supposed to be a much more environmentally friendly wood to use, but it sounds like it's not so durable.
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| Posted 5/29/08 8:35 AM |
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JldDolphin
Member since 1/07 6929 total posts
Name:
Jen
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Re: Who Has Bamboo Flooring In Their Home?
Posted by GoldenRod
I'm looking into it for my office, and one reason is that every place I've looked at claims that bamboo is harder and more dent/scratch resistant than most standard woods.
http://www.a1-wood-flooring.com/bambooflooringhardness.htm
Bamboo has got a high hardness ranking in the hardness scale as established by the NWFA (National Wood Flooring Association). It even outranks hardwood species like red oak. The special hardness of bamboo flooring makes it resistant to scratches and dents thus calling for fewer repairing ventures. This also contributes to the property of bamboo flooring being a lasting installation.
Shawn, thank you so much for all your info. I'm going to look at these links and do a lot more research on the kinds of bamboo that are more durable. Where will you be buying your bamboo flooring from? Thanks!
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| Posted 5/29/08 10:07 AM |
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CurlyQ
Member since 6/07 2024 total posts
Name:
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Re: Who Has Bamboo Flooring In Their Home?
We are also looking into bamboo flooring for our ne home we are building. The price looks better than hardwood too from what I have researched. I am interested to hear more about it though before we make our final decision.
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| Posted 5/29/08 10:12 AM |
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CaMacho
Sisters :)
Member since 7/06 15112 total posts
Name:
Jess
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Re: Who Has Bamboo Flooring In Their Home?
I've heard it scratches and dents very easily. Go on lumberliquidators.com and look at their bamboo flooring, then look at some of the reviews... most say it scratches/dents easily.
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| Posted 5/29/08 10:20 AM |
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JldDolphin
Member since 1/07 6929 total posts
Name:
Jen
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Re: Who Has Bamboo Flooring In Their Home?
Posted by CaMacho
I've heard it scratches and dents very easily. Go on lumberliquidators.com and look at their bamboo flooring, then look at some of the reviews... most say it scratches/dents easily.
I was just reading on their site. Some say they scratch and dent and some say they scratch a little. I guess I'm going to do a lot of research before buying.
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| Posted 5/29/08 11:15 AM |
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GoldenRod
10 years on LIF!
Member since 11/06 26792 total posts
Name:
Shawn
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Re: Who Has Bamboo Flooring In Their Home?
Posted by CaMacho
I've heard it scratches and dents very easily. Go on lumberliquidators.com and look at their bamboo flooring, then look at some of the reviews... most say it scratches/dents easily.
I checked it out, too. Yes, a hammer, or a screw under heavy furniture will scratch just about anything....
Several of the hardwood areas had complaints about scratching/denting as well.
I haven't picked a brand/supplier of bamboo yet, just the fact that I want it.
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| Posted 5/29/08 11:42 AM |
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NancyD
I love this guy so much<3
Member since 5/08 1294 total posts
Name:
Nancy
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Re: Who Has Bamboo Flooring In Their Home?
We actaully just put in a bamboo floor in our dining room. I think any thing will dent/scratch if something is dropped on it.
So far, i have ano complaints about the floor. It does get scuff marks from time to time but thats something you can get rid of easily.
The floor does have a few tiny scratches but nothing too noticable.
I love the flooring though.
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| Posted 5/29/08 11:52 AM |
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JldDolphin
Member since 1/07 6929 total posts
Name:
Jen
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Re: Who Has Bamboo Flooring In Their Home?
Posted by GoldenRod
I checked it out, too. Yes, a hammer, or a screw under heavy furniture will scratch just about anything....
Several of the hardwood areas had complaints about scratching/denting as well.
I haven't picked a brand/supplier of bamboo yet, just the fact that I want it.
That is true. even my red oak hardwoods have scratches already. It happens.  But I really think I'm going to do bamboo in my den when the time comes over the winter to redo that room. Thanks!
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| Posted 5/29/08 3:02 PM |
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~Colleen~
my loves...
Member since 5/05 9129 total posts
Name:
guess
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Re: Who Has Bamboo Flooring In Their Home?
Posted by cjik
The realtor looked at our shoes and said we could keep them on, but she mentioned she needed to ask people to take off heels because of the bamboo floor. Apparently the heels leave little dings in it.
Heels will leave nicks/dents in most - if not, all - wood floors.
Wood - regardless of its durability - will scratch and dent over time.
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| Posted 5/29/08 3:07 PM |
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JTK
my 4 boys!
Member since 6/06 7396 total posts
Name:
Kristi
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Re: Who Has Bamboo Flooring In Their Home?
we have it throughout the upstairs in our house.. and have 4 children.. i see a few scratches but not many and i love the way it looks!!
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| Posted 5/29/08 10:17 PM |
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