Bamboo was the hot trend and darling of the flooring industry back in the late 1990's. You rarely hear of anyone using it on the building/decorating forums these days.

We live in FL, near the Gulf, and have engineered wood floors, so I don't see why you couldn't use them.

The current trend and darling of the flooring industry is LVP. Some people love it and other don't. We didn't like the way it sounded when walked on, when installed on a slab, so we went with the engineered wood floors. Very happy with that choice.

I'd rule the first builder out. He's not paying for or living in the house. The second seems out of it but may be capable for non-finish level work. I wouldn't rely on him for design input. European Oak engineered flooring is a current option. Hakwood is made in Denmark with a time lag for custom tone, finish, and grade. DuChateau and Monarch Plank and many other sources have flooring produced in various SE Asian locations. Hurst Hardwood is another source. The species of oak does not have an open grain, is less yellow and does not oxidize yellow over time as much. Closed grain allows wide up to 11" flat cut to show off the wood structure. Water poly in matte is one finish.

Hallmark Terra Laguna

IKEA Vedhamn

Hallmark Terra Newport

Siberian Oak - Lord Flooring China

DOCA -Spain

Whoaaa. Bamboo suggested by a builder. They are definitely living in the past

Bamboo has more warranty claims than all other wood floors all together. It hates humidity and wet concrete slabs. Which is all of FL.

We have bamboo installed by previous owners. In houston on slab. No issues.

"Bamboo has more warranty claims"

With a large percentage from Lumber Liquidators buyers. They lost a lot of their "paid off" inspectors years ago.

A good product will perform well if installed correctly and attention to moisture readings or issues related to.

Would love to hear alternatives that are not lvp or ceramic woodlook products. Our architect said bamboo is harder than 'hardwood' so would hold up better with dogs. It's a retirement home.

Bamboo is just not stable. It moves a tremendous amount. More critical than most hardwaoods that you have HVACV and that it is used cionsistently, consistent humidity levels in the home and that it is instlled 100% correctlly. Also the less expensive products have more of the issues (LL Flooring, box stores, etc.)

I have engineered wood floors and 3 dogs, two of which are 60 lbs and high energy. We installed the floors when we built in 2021 and we are very happy with them. So far they are performing better than the site finished wood floors in my previous house, with the same 3 dogs!

DuChateau, Riverstone Collection

Interesting article.

I’m in NC which I would think is more humid than Deleware. I have had site finish hardwoods(white oak)in my past 3 houses. Never an issue. If you control your humidity in the house you should be fine. I currently live in a log cabin which is not tight. I use a dehumidifier along with AC in the warmer months to control humidity. The floors have been fine.

" I have had site finish hardwoods(white oak)in my past 3 houses. "

Bamboo is not like oak (white or red), nor behaves like oak. Technically it is a hardwood but it is not stable at all and a quality product and HVAC are paramount or you will end up with a hot mess.

Bamboo is a grass, and most bamboo floors aremore glue than cellulose. Terrible stuff in all respects. Wood look tile is a once and done, forever and ever, choice. It laughs at dog nails, refrigerators rolling, tables dragging, or sandblasting by beach covered shoes.

I live in Michigan. We're surrounded on three sides by fresh water seas aka the Great Lakes. I highly doubt Delaware is more humid than Michigan. Hardwood floors are a flooring of choice here.

I have some sort of bamboo cr*ppola in my great room that was put in by the previous owner. I'm not sure exactly what the product is other than "hand-scraped bamboo", per the real estate listing. I can't wait to get rid of it. IMO looks kinda plastic-y but the major problem is it scratches all to heck, and the floor cannot be refinished like hardwood can because the bamboo is only on the outer layer, it can't be sanded down. So I have flooring in this giant room that's all scratched up with surface scratches that look white and accentuate the plastic look. Great... Funds preclude me from lifing the sh*t out and replacing with hardwood to match what's in the rest of the house, so I'm stuck with it for now.

Stay far away from bamboo flooring -- get the hardwood, you won't regret it.