Bamboo flooring...anyone with experience with the "Plyboo" brand? >

11 years ago

last modified: 11 years ago

We're planning to install bamboo in the lower level of our condo. We already have the Plyboo brand of bamboo flooring in the upper level bedrooms and halls. It's beautiful. We are seriously looking at Plyboo again now, this time for the lower level (kitchen and living room) and would like to hear about any experiences with Plyboo, either by designers or customers who have installed it.

We specifically like that Plyboo bamboo is 100% formaldehyde free and complies with NAF guidelines for sustainability and eco-friendliness. No, we're NOT looking at the cheap Lumber Liquidator stuff of negative legend.

Plyboo's stiletto product and strand products are the hardest they sell, however, we really love the "Flat Grain" flooring they also sell...because it retains the natural bamboo motif in its planks. An aesthetic decision perhaps. We're direct waterfront so also we feel it would complement the airy, natural environment.

Yes we already have some upstairs but I guess I'm asking for input anyway, because it would be going into a more frequently used area of the house. No kids, just me and my one dog.

Any input out there is most welcome. Here's a pic of the transition from the upstairs hallway floor (flat grain Plyboo bamboo in Amber hue) into the bedroom floor (same bamboo but in Natural hue).

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PRO

Cancork Floor Inc.

9 years ago

wannabath beat me to it: Scratching = FINISH. Dents = density of bamboo itself. When a SOLID 3/4 bamboo is used (you know the stuff that is more expensive than solid hardwood) then it has limited denting (some have a little depending on construction and whether or not it is caramelized or not). But remember: if it dents hardwood, it dents bamboo. There are no two ways around it!

Scratches are a GOOD indication the finish is doing it's JOB. Denting is a good indication that the floor is simply doing it's job = absorbing energy from things that hit it.

And ENGINEERED bamboo is NOT the same "hardness" as solid.....a thin layer of hard bamboo sitting on SOFT wood = soft material. NOT the same as the HIGH END (ahem...high priced) solid bamboo.

Scratches and dents happen. It is life with non-stone/tile products.

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Comments (9)

Lisa Ellern
10 years ago
I'm thinking of putting the plyco stiletto into my kitchen. Did you end up using the bamboo in the high traffic area? how did it turn out?
sabrina321
10 years ago
I did, not the stilletto though. It scratches and dents very easily. I love the look but I wouldn't use it again.
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Lisa Ellern
10 years ago
Thanks for letting me know. Is it easy to keep clean? Do you remember how much per square foot you paid?
sabrina321
10 years ago
Hi Lisa, I paid $4.60/sf, and yes it is very easy to keep clean....
johnnywill
9 years ago
late to the party, but its so weird, ive seen people say it scratches and dents easy yet it scores way up there on hardness tests. what gives? thoughts?
sabrina321
9 years ago
I don't know but it may depend on the particular Plyboo wood you order. There's one called Stiletto which is supposed to be harder than the one I got, but I did not like the way it looked. I called the company and they assured me that mine would not be hugely different but in reality, I'm here to tell you it does scratch easily. It's still gorgeous but as I said, I wouldn't use it again if scratches and dents were a big concern.
PRO
Brian Gannon
9 years ago
Bamboo is sold on it's hardness but you have to remember that the finish on it isn't any more scratch resistant then one on pine. Yes, bamboo is hard as a rock and won't dent but the finish does.

The other issue is floor movement and noise. Depending on where you live Google bamboo flooring issues and you will see they are not for all climates. Make sure you follow all their instructions exactly.
PRO
Gray & Walter, Ltd.
9 years ago
I wouldn't change, stay with same product.