Bamboo flooring.

[raf_gti]

Argh.

My OH has received a sample of bamboo through the post and has now decided that she wants it in the living room and hallway, I believe it is £12/sqm plus I should imagine a further £10sq/m for fitting.

Would it be madness to consider this?

We'd looked into going for a wood flooring but for the one we wanted it was about £70/sqm, which we decided was just too expensive.

We then settled on the idea of Quickstep laminate at £30/sqm which looked to be a good compromise, especially with a 25yr warranty on it.

BUT

now she has seen this bamboo for pennies and is trying to convince me to go for it, having seen the sample I'm not entirely convinced by it and could do with some further ammo to shoot her down with!

FWIW the laminate is going to be £1300 fitted for an area of 25/sqm, reasonably happy with this although cheaper would be nice!

[skatty]

Have had it in my bathroom for the past seven years with no problem

It's also nice to tell people you have grass as a floor covering in you'r bathroom, they think you are mad,

[B17NNS]

Bamboo is very hard wearing and a great alternative to hardwood.

Because it grows so fast it can be harvested more regularly hence why it's cheaper.

Given a choice I'd always take a natural alternative over mdf with a picture of some wood on it.

[Flintstone]

Have had bamboo down in several rooms for about five years, great stuff and easy to lay. As opposed to cheap laminate it can also be sanded and re-varnished.

[Bonefish Blues]

Also take a look at strand woven bamboo - hard as nails, nicer (IMHO) finish than horizontal or vertical cut bamboo, and not much more expensive than the stuff you're looking at.

We've put it everywhere on our ground floor and it's brilliant.

[Skyedriver]

Did use Laminate once, and a reasonably pricy one too.
I WOULD NEVER USE IT AGAIN.

Noisy, doesn't look right, know a house with it throughout, its like walking on a formica table....and at 6 inthe morning every step sounds deafening. And the sound of the dogs feet on it ............

[raf_gti]

How did you find it in comparison to traditional wood or laminate? From the sample we've got and from I've seen in the store it doesn't appear as substantial. Would you say that was a fair statement or have I been looking at the wrong stuff?!

[Flintstone]

Sounds like the wrong stuff. The stuff I have is solid bamboo, not laminate and reasonably thick.

[Bonefish Blues]

raf_gti said:

How did you find it in comparison to traditional wood or laminate? From the sample we've got and from I've seen in the store it doesn't appear as substantial. Would you say that was a fair statement or have I been looking at the wrong stuff?!

Not insubstantial at all, as previously stated.

Simply Bamboo, Panda, Bamboo Flooring Company are all specialists I have had good quality samples from. Not sure which our contractor used, tho'.

[.:ian:.]

Have used it in 2 bathrooms, naturally waterproof, very solid. My only concern with using it in a large room is that with small planks with lots of fine detail it might seem a little "busy"

The stuff I used was 15mm thick and very substantial.

[raf_gti]

All good stuff chaps

It is certainly putting my mind at rest and saving me from a potential massive arguement!

Would like to hear some negatives, if indeed there are any!

[Skyedriver]

[quote=raf_gti]All good stuff chaps

It is certainly putting my mind at rest and saving me from a potential massive arguement!

Would like to hear some negatives, if indeed there are any![/quote

For heavens sake don't let any pandas into the house.......

[Flintstone]

raf_gti said:

Would like to hear some negatives, if indeed there are any!

Don't use an office (study) chair on wheels without a mat. It knackers the the varnish. Other than that................

[Bonefish Blues]

Flintstone said:

raf_gti said:

Would like to hear some negatives, if indeed there are any!

Don't use an office (study) chair on wheels without a mat. It knackers the the varnish. Other than that................

...or fit hard surface castors.

[Harry Flashman]

B17NNS said:

Bamboo is very hard wearing and a great alternative to hardwood.

Because it grows so fast it can be harvested more regularly hence why it's cheaper.

Given a choice I'd always take a natural alternative over mdf with a picture of some wood on it.

Agreed. I have it making up a custom vanity cabinet and loo seat in one of the bathrooms, and it looks great.

Anything is preferable to laminate, which looks horribly cheap.