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Help with bamboo floors with aluminum oxide urethane finish, page 2
My story. Five weeks ago we had the color "spice" bamboo installed in our kitchen and dining rooms. Not even getting direct sunlight, it has faded dramatically. Three service people from the store have looked at it and the discussion of what to do is still going on.
Deborah N [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]- Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
2005
I am about to install vertical carbonized bamboo. From what you have mentioned in this forum I'm in line for a rude disappointment.
I have a question for Mike C (he talks about his floor is starting to warp and bow). Mike, is it solid or engineered bamboo? Vertical or Horizontal? Did you glue it down directly to the concrete? Did you nail it down to plywood subfloor?
Thanks a bunch to all who have expressed their opinion in this forum. I'll let you know how it goes.
- Gilroy, California
2005
Hi,
I noticed several people are also having problems with getting up the glue the installers use for the floor. I too am having this problem, in addition to the extra scratches and gouges.
I am in Austin, and would welcome any comments. If there is a suit pending I would also like information.
- Austin, Texas
2005
We purchased engineered, vertical, bamboo floor and are now experiencing the bowing/hollow effect (to best describe it). We have in-floor heat and used the floating method of installation. I am also interested in hearing from Mike C on his floor; anybody know if this can be fixed or having similar problems?
Winona B [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]- Anchorage, Alaska
2005
I am really sorry to hear about so many terrible experiences with the bamboo flooring. I plan on installing bamboo in my home within the next couple of weeks. However, I am using the composite type and I will install it unfinished (I will put my own court finish). I have received several samples from different manufacturers and it seems like the STRAND is much harder, more dense and heavier than the VERTICAL or HORIZONTAL. I have performed my own hardness tests. I can dent and scratch the VERTICAL and HORIZONTAL with my finger nail. The STRAND I can barely dent when smacking on piece against the other. So STRAND it is for me.
I will report back here after I install to share my experience.
- New York, New York
2005
I installed my Bamboo flooring about a month ago. Myself and my wife have seen scratches appearing more and more every day including some gouges and we are not even living on this floor yet. I just contacted the supplier to find out what to do about this problem. You would think with a 30 year finish guarantee that we would should not be dealing with this issue right now.
If I cannot get this problem resolved, I would be interested in a class action law suit also.
How long was it before you saw your flooring cracking? This is another huge concern of mine. I always hear people talking about their flooring that is durable and worry free. I wish I would have bought that flooring instead.
- West Berlin, New Jersey
2005
I also purchased the Bamboo flooring and I really wish I had gone with the Brazilian Cherry! I got the carbonized bamboo flooring and while it is very beautiful it is soft as butter. If a remote control falls from a coffee table you will have a mark! I will need to buy some large rugs to cover the majority of the flooring I put down just to keep it from being beaten up.
I read somewhere after I had installed my flooring that the carbonized variety is softer. The process to add the darker color results in a softer floor because it is steamed.
It is sad that I am looking forward to selling my house in a few years so I can have another chance to put down a really nice wood floor in my next home. Saving money on the bamboo didn't pay off.
- Farmington Hills, Michigan
2005
I worked with a carpenter and installed a bamboo floor. The installation was pretty uniform for the room was less than 800 square feet. After installation, we noticed two scratches in the floor in high traffic areas. Went and got a fill in pen that you use for scratches on furniture that was birch in color. It does not fill in the scratch enough to make it flush with the floor. Have taken a sample of the floor and put scratches on it similar to what I have now. On one side, I used light sandpaper and removed the scratch as much as I could and was surprised---I did not damage the wood as much as I thought I would. I applied a spray lacquer over the repair area and it was not uniform and you can still see where I made the repair. On a second scratch, I took bowling alley/butcher's wax and filled in the scratch by rubbing back and forth, filling in the scratch by going across the grain. I let it sit for one hour and buff it with a cloth. I do this several times and it seems to cover the scratch and it is not as obvious.
We have a foam padding underneath our coffee table rug and will this harm the floor by discoloring it?
Thanks-
homeowner - Wilson, North Carolina
2005
I put down over 700 s.f. of bamboo flooring and I have also been have a lot of problems with scratching and dents. Also, the end joints are coming apart too and there is no way I can get them back together without taking out the baseboards. I am not happy with the flooring at all. I would love to be involved with a class action suit. I am going to try and get some sort of satisfaction from the local store first, though.
Bill A [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]- Gallup, New Mexico
2005
I am a contractor and have a client who purchased bamboo flooring for us to install. Every thing turned out o.k. until she had an outside window install company install a new 6' 0" sliding glass door after the floor was installed. They sealed the gap between their slider and my floor with a cement or grout type product and left no expansion gap at all. Right in front of the slider and now throughout the downstairs floor the bamboo is cupping or as the homeowner say it is like a washboard. She insists it was my installers lack of skill that is the cause. I have not told her that I suspect the new slider may be the cause because I do no know for sure if it is possible. Is it and what can I do at this point to get the floor to lay back down. She is demanding a refund for the install and I would like to know if it is warranted or not.
Thank you,
- Fountain Valley, California
2005
We have purchased 800 square feet of the Horizontal Carbonized Bamboo. I think the important thing with this product is to give it time to acclimatize to the atmosphere in the home before installation. I have taken some of the product out of the box, and have dropped stuff on it, pressed my fingernail into it, had my dog run over it, and tried to do damage to it in other ways. There are no scratches in the finish. I think any flooring material has its own quirks, and maybe other brands have problems. I researched for months to find a good material that was environmentally responsible and also aesthetically pleasing. I am happy with it.
Dave D [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]- Colorado Springs, Colorado
2005
We just installed a Horizontal Carbonized Bamboo floor and noticed scratches immediately. After reading all the postings I'm very concerned the problem will get worst in time. If the manufacture is recommending a commercial grade finish can anyone give me a product name?
Don R [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]- Portland, Connecticut
2005
I just had several rooms of horizontal bamboo flooring installed
(glue-down). After several days I noticed an area that popped up from the glue, so now I hear a pop every time I walk on the area.
I'm completely unhappy with the quality and have already decided to tear it up in a year have something else installed; however, for now I need to find some extra planks to repair the bowed area! if anyone has any planks that has a finished surface of 36 1/4" X 3 3/4" please let me know.
I requested replacements, but the planks they gave with the SAME style number is an inch longer and has the male/female parts reversed, so its useless for me. When I pointed this out, I was told that each lot is different.
If had known this I would have NEVER wasted my money on this flooring
- Phoenix, Arizona
2005
I cannot believe I stumbled onto this website. I was in the process of trying to solve my bamboo problems. I am in total agreement with each of the emails I have read which complain of the problems with their bamboo flooring. It has been the biggest disappointment. A huge expense and not what it was touted to be. Scratches and dents so easily. Very, very hard to maintain. I have two Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, and I cannot believe the damage their paws do to this flooring! They weigh less than 12 pounds each. I want to be included on any class action law suit! I am desperate to find a finish which might improve matters. Should I try and have it sanded down and refinished?
DON'T buy this stuff! The installers could not believe I was ripping out the previous oak parquet which was designed and each piece put in place beautifully.
What a mistake!
- Irvine, California
2005
I had Bamboo Flooring installed 6 months ago during a rain season. The floor was installed directly on the concrete subfloor that was dry. It is certainly not as hard as boasted. The flooring cupped markedly after 3 months. The "acclimitazation" is not the solution. The air moisture seems to cause the entire plank to swell. After its glued down, the bottom cannot move but when the top is exposed to dryer air and shrinks. This appears to cause the cupping. I have not yet had it sanded. I wonder if the use of solvents during installation as in the glue penetrates the wood bottom and causes the cupping also! I would never recommend bamboo floor to anyone.
David S [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]- San Dimas, California
2005
Wow, pretty discouraging news for someone considering a bamboo floor! Has anyone heard of experiences with other brands of bamboo floors (Teragren or some such)?
Don W [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]- Royal Oak, Michigan
2005
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Ed. note: Hi, Don. Sorry, but we can't print brand comparisons. We have no testing capability and the anonymity of the internet prevents discerning real people from shills promoting their product and slamming their competitors under fictitious names. Please see if
Consumer Reports or one of their competitors offers a brand comparison. Apologies.
2005
I wrote about my problems here back on June 19th, and I wanted to give an update on where I have gotten since then. Short answer: nowhere!
I haven't found any way to repair the scratches, the on-line store's claims dept. has been horrible to deal with, and the manufacturer seems to be dodging the issue (although I did speak with the VP and he assured me that he is looking for a solution).
I found out the manufacturer of the aluminum oxide finish from the VP. The coating company told the lumber company that the aluminum oxide is a clear coating and therefore could not possibly be the problem. I am convinced otherwise.
My floor is carbonized with the aluminum oxide finish on the top and bottom of the planks, but not the sides. If I scratch the top or bottom, I get unrepairable white scratches. If I scratch the sides, I get a normal, repairable scratch (meaning that the area is easily stained and crayon products don't rub off easily).
The flooring supplier is telling me that the white scratching is inherent in the carbonized product, but my previous paragraph shows that to be false.
There have been so many statements on this board about how easily this stuff scratches, if there was a single manufacturer I think a class action would be viable.
BTW, I have also experienced severe denting problems with my floor. Like others have said, even the most common household items will dent and scratch this stuff.
Dan H [returning]
- Lake Arrowhead, California
I just put horizontal bamboo in my living and dining room - while it looks pretty in the box, it is scratching everywhere! What a waste. If anyone does start a class action - seriously - I want in!
Theresa B [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]- Douglas, Massachusetts
2005
I've been asked to clarify the issue of bowing and warping bamboo. I purchased this on line - vertical carbonized. Instructions indicated that it could be glued down on concrete. This is what was done. I have just removed the flooring. It appears the glue did not do a great job in areas- as in some areas- it pulled up chunks of concrete. I also had no moisture barrier and any water spilled on the floor that went between the joints- formed a lot of mold on the bottom side of the planks. I am now installing a hickory engineered floating floor with antimicrobial underlayment.
Mike C [returning]
handyman - Temecula, California
2005
2005
maintenance instruction bamboo floor
What To Do
1. Vacuum or sweep floor regularly. If you do sweep, we recommend nylon brooms, as straw brooms tend to be too rough on some floor finishes.
2. Remove spills promptly.
3. Place mats at exterior doors to trap sand and grit from incoming traffic.
4. Use area rugs on high traffic pathways. All rugs should allow floors to breathe. Avoid rubber backed or non-ventilated rugs.
5. Install "wood guards" on "feet" of furniture.
6. Re-coat a worn surface per your installer's recommendations before the bamboo is exposed to avoid refinishing/resanding.
7. When moving heavy furniture, always pick up the furniture rather than sliding it across the floors.
8. Keep pets' claws properly trimmed to avoid excess scratches and gouges.
What Not To Do
1. Do not let sand, dirt or grit build up. They can act like sandpaper and actually abrade and dull the floor finish.
2. Never damp mop. Excessive amounts of water can cause your floor to swell and cup.
3. Avoid walking in high heels. They can severely damage bamboo or wood floors.
4. Do not use wax, oil soap, or other household cleaners on your polyurethane-finished or prefinished floor. The use of these products can dull today's floor finishes and make refinishing difficult.
5. Do not roll or slide appliances across your floor.
Products We Recommend For Cleaning
No alkaline cleaning agents should be used. Such agents may cause strong yellowing and color changes.
SZ bamboo floor from China
I too recently purchased Carbonized Vertical Bamboo floors. 1200 sf. I have two dogs and have found these floors to scratch at every turn. When they moved the refrigerator back into its spot in the kitchen, it also left deep gouges. We have only installed it to this point in the kitchen and dining room and are wondering if it's worth it to continue in the rest of the house.
Am also interested in class action. This product does not live up to its marketing.
- San Antonio, Texas
2005
2005
What's the answer? It's obvious we are all experiencing great disappointment with our Bamboo Flooring.
What is the answer? If I refinish the floor with a commercial grade finish will this protect the floor from farther scratches? Or will bowling wax give me the same results.
We need answers TODAY!
- Portland, Connecticut
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Ed. note: I don't think everyone is experiencing great disappointment, Don. A public forum draws discontented people who want to vent disproportionately to contented people. But, yes, a lot of disappointed people have related their stories here.
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