The Most Common Bamboo Flooring Myths

Bamboo flooring is gaining more and more popularity in recent times and more and more people opt for this wood flooring alternative that is known to be the more eco-friendly and sustainable choice compared to not just wood but also other flooring options. However, with fame also come the haters. In the case of bamboo flooring, there are no haters, but there are still some misconceptions and myths about this alternative type of flooring we would like to bust in this article. Since most of the information and resources about bamboo flooring online are incorrect and unreliable, we would like to help you understand bamboo flooring better and debunk some of the most common myths. Let's start it.

Bamboo Flooring is Soft 

Considering the structure of the bamboo plant, it is often considered that when compared to wood flooring, for example, bamboo flooring is significantly softer and prone to some issues and damage. Truthfully, this was probably the case back in the day when bamboo flooring first was presented on the flooring market in the nineties. Back then, bamboo flooring was vulnerable to dents, scratches, gouges, and other issues. However, a couple of decades later, the flooring industry progressed significantly and bamboo flooring was included in the progress.

Nowadays, there are types of bamboo flooring that are very durable and hard-wearing, resistant to scratches and dents as much as every traditional hardwood flooring option. There are some innovative techniques and methods designed to make bamboo flooring more durable, including strand-woven bamboo and others. You can consider bamboo flooring nowadays to be not only a more sustainable option and more affordable than most other options on the market but also equally durable and long-lasting.

Formaldehyde Content

Formaldehyde is one of the most feared chemicals in our everyday lives and fairly so. Therefore, the myth that bamboo flooring contains formaldehyde scared a lot of people to even consider this type of alternative flooring. Bamboo does not emit formaldehyde. Make sure to purchase your bamboo flooring from a reliable and reputable supplier or manufacturer and they will be able to provide you with the proper certifications which require emission standards.

Bamboo Flooring Expands and Contracts Extensively

One of the biggest fears when it comes to hardwood flooring is that the extensive movement will quickly wear the floor off and lead to damage. As you probably know, moisture, humidity, and temperature fluctuations are considered the biggest enemies of hardwood flooring, making it expand and contract extensively, which can lead to some minor and major issues.

The same concern is present when bamboo flooring is considered. After all, bamboo flooring is very similar to hardwood flooring. Therefore, people do not consider bamboo flooring the best option for too-dry or too-humid climates due to the fear of this excessive movement and the extent of damage to the floor it can cause. However, this is one more myth that needs to be debunked. There is no doubt that bamboo flooring contracts and expands due to the impact of moisture, humidity, and temperature fluctuations. However, this natural response to extreme changes in its environment is not even slightly more intense than the response of every other hardwood floor.

The good news is that if the impact and changes in the environment are not too intense, the floor itself will control the "movement" and get back to its original shape very fast without experiencing any damage. To prevent more serious situations, make sure to let bamboo acclimatise to the environment of your home for one week before the installation of the floor just like you would do with hardwood floorboards before having them fitted. 

Not Eco-Friendly Because of Overseas Shipping

Bamboo flooring is considered one of the most eco-friendly and sustainable flooring options available on the market due to the specificity of the bamboo plant. Bamboo grows very fast and it can be easily sourced sustainably as a renewable source. However, some people consider bamboo bad for the environment due to the overseas shipping since the vast majority of the bamboo materials come from China. However, keep in mind that a lot of the hardwood flooring materials are imported from North America and other points all over the world. 

Bamboo Cannot Be Installed Over Concrete

Some people do believe that bamboo flooring cannot be installed over concrete which is one of the most common subfloor types in the country. However, this is not the truth and bamboo flooring can be installed over a concrete subfloor. All you need is to have an underlay moisture-proof barrier installed over concrete first and then have the bamboo floor laid on top of it. You may think this is extra work, however, many hardwood floors also require an underlay installed on top of the concrete subfloor before installation.