Bamboo flooring

I've seen bamboo floor installed in an eichler in Palo Alto, thing about wood floor is that your current concrete slab has to be very close to dead level or it will create problem in the future. The owner of the house that install the bamboo floor had to hire a floor leveling contractor to level the entire area where she had bamboo floor installed. Cost about $6000 just to do that.

Other thing to consider if you still hae radiant heat, it 's not a good idea to have bamboo floor. cause they have to put down 2 layers of plywood before they install the actual bamboo floor. With radiant heat, it will take the heat to go thru about 2" of wood to get into the room.
hope this can be of helpful

MDO

Hello MDO,

I am interested in putting in bamboo flooring in my kitchen and I'm curious how did your neighbor know that the floor needed leveling? An extra $6,000 is a major consideration.

Is a level floor a factor with *any* type of flooring? I have linoleum in the kitchen now and it looks fine to me. I am also thinking of extending the bamboo into the dining room where there's carpeting now.

I have valance style radiant heating, so floor radiant is not an issue for me.

Thanks.

David

I thought with plank flooring you did not need to level the floor. I know you do with tile or cork. Maybe this $6000 case was a severe one?

Bamboo flooring is definitely an option. There is no need to lay down 2" of wood before putting the bamboo down. Bamboo can be floated like any other hardwood. Bamboo is supposed to be better than hardwood, but engineered bamboo (Bamtex and other brands) is better than pure bamboo (available all over the internet for $2.50-7 a sq ft). There may be some floor leveling needed, but there is no special consideration that I am aware of when comparing bamboo to hardwood, tile, etc.

We are currently putting bamboo throughout our Eichler and have done a bit of research on the topic. Good luck.

- Derek

Derek,

Could you send me your information about your installer and where you purchased the bamboo floor? I am interested and would appreciate any help.

todd
[email protected]

Derek;

I also would be interested in getting information about your installer.

Thanks,
Andrew Mendelsohn

If you are on a slab, floating any type of flooring is not a good idea if you want maximum efficiency from your radiant floor heating system. By floating the flooring, you create an barrier of air which works against your heat rising from the slab.

Plus, if you every have a leak, repairs can be spendy on wood flooring.

Could it be that the leveling was actually done due to the slab being below grade and having moisture problems?

C

Joe b,

I agree with you in principal hwoever, here are three things to note that are going into my decision to use Bamboo flooring.
1) I already had anderson radiant folks come out and repair 8 leaks in my radiant system. None of the 8 leaks were in the area where I plan to install bamboo flooring. The areas impacted have porcelian tile for easy possible future repair.
2) I am installing a drain system to divert water away from the home. Not sure this is a huge factor in foundation settling but gives me some piece of mind.
3) The bamboo floor is going into an area of the house that is closest to the boiler. So, I am not as concerned about inability to heat the room.

Also, I have a neighbor who installed a laminate floor throughout most of his house and he is able to heat his house to satisfaction. This is more a commentary on usage than efficiency, but should note that what is important is living condition.

cheers,
todd

Ujipster:

question, how do you cool you home?

With out AC, I depend on the cool slab and cross breezes. It's quite natural, inexpensive, and feels great to walk barefoot on the cool slab during the hot months. I notice a difference between rooms with carpet and rooms with tile. Will the bamboo feel cool also? I can't imagine a hardwood or laminate floor feeling as cool as bare concrete or tile. Maybe I am wrong. Something to consider.

Thank you.

Joe b,

I have the Eichler original air conditioning mechanism (open windows) and nothing beats bare feat on tile on a hot summer day.

todd

Have any of the peole who were planning on installing the bamboo completed the project, and, if so, how is your heat working?

We are thinking of installing it in the kitchen and dining area and since these areas are very near the boiler, the floors are too warm anyway.

I have bamboo flooring in the hallway and foyer and we love it. California Carpet installed the floor and so far, it';s been 18 months, we have no problem.

Selina