Bamboo Flooring Problems Photos

Bamboo flooring performance is much like that of a hardwood floor. Like wood, bamboo flooring performance will not be the same with every installation.

You could install the same product from the same shipment in two houses sitting side-by-side with different performance results. Bamboo flooring performance is based on many factors from the product to installation, site related and maintenance related conditions.

China manufactures most bamboo products. Not all manufacturers are the same. Quality control conditions vary considerably from one manufacturing plant to another and often within the same manufacturers plant. As a result bamboo flooring performance will differ from one manufacturer to the other.

Bamboo Flooring Problems

In the United States we have a lot of excellent distributors of flooring products. We also have a number of distributors that are more concerned with profit than they are with quality. The majority of distributors are going to import the products of the most reliable manufacturers. Fewer less reliable distributors, purchase products from whomever offers the best price. Poor quality bamboo flooring creates performance issues.

Most professional bamboo flooring installers are going to take the steps required to perform a proper installation. There are also flooring installers that will take short cuts every chance they get. Short cutting the acclimation of a bamboo product creates problems. Not making sure the structure is ready for the flooring. Not following the manufacturers installation standards increases the opportunity for flooring failure.

Most property owners are going to take proper care of their bamboo flooring. Failing to read and follow the manufacturers requirements for proper care results in problems. Failing to control relative humidity per the requirements of the flooring, there are additional opportunities for bamboo flooring failure.

What Are The Bamboo Flooring Problems And How To Avoid Them?

As a bamboo flooring inspector for the Weinheimer Group, it is not unusual to have a home developer or builder ask, ” I have installed this same product in other houses without problems, why am I having a problem here?”

There are many reasons why bamboo flooring performance may differ between two structures. True, even if the structures built by the same builder. The identical product purchased at the same time and the floor installed by the same installer may see different results.

The above are but a few of the many differences that take place between structures even when built side-by-side. All of these reasons and many more can cause a bamboo flooring performance issue.

A Product Review: Morningstar Bamboo Click Floors

Changes in temperature and relative humidity are not based on the structure alone. Not every person lives in identical living conditions. Temperature and humidity affect people differently so they regulate their living quarters differently. Temperature and relative humidity that are too great or two low can affect the performance of a floor. Both can cause movement and separation in a floor. Too little moisture will result in contraction of a floor. Too much moisture will result in expansion of a floor. Moisture levels change with changes in relative humidity. These changes can result in bamboo flooring performance issues.

Bamboo flooring is a hygroscopic material subject to dimensional change. Variations in moisture absorption, temperature and humidity within the surrounding environment result in change.

Wood and bamboo flooring need to reach a moisture content level in equilibrium with the surrounding environment (EMC). Should be installed – at or near normal living conditions.Temperature and relative humidity range may vary somewhat by product.

Bubbles In A Strand Bamboo Floor Create A Sticky Mess

Most bamboo flooring manufacturers want the temperature range to be within 60-80 degrees Fahrenheit and 30-50 percent relative humidity. This is the range that these types of products usually perform best. Fortunately these levels are where humans are generally the most comfortable. Failure to maintain a floor in equilibrium often results in a bamboo flooring performance problem.Join other industry professionals in the wood flooring industry to provide the latest news, information and insight delivered to your inbox twice a week.

Homeowners in New Jersey were complaining that the solid strand bamboo click flooring in their two-story home was separating in the winter and buckling in the summer.

The client purchased solid strand bamboo click flooring, and the GC hired a professional flooring installer who installed the flooring on the second floor of the home in the middle of summer. Soon after, the client noticed the flooring rising (buckling) and called the installer, who did not respond. By the middle of winter, the flooring planks were starting to separate. As a last resort, the homeowners called the manufacturer.

What Is Peaking, Buckling, And Cupping In Wood Floors?

Although I was confident this wasn't a warranted issue, the installer felt it was the flooring at fault, so I flew to the job site and met with the GC. I asked: Was the flooring acclimated properly? Did the installer take moisture readings? He had no documentation or recollection. I then asked if the flooring was attached anywhere, and he said, No, it is a floating floor.

I checked the moisture content of the flooring, which was within the normal range for the season. Then I removed the baseboard and lifted the first row. I found small pin nails spaced every 11⁄2 feet along the first row and last rows. These small nails were holding back the floor from being able to experience its normal expansion and contraction.

While most contractors in this situation think the entire floor needs to be pulled up and re-installed to pull the planks back together, I was able to simply replace the nailed planks with new planks and used ratcheting straps to pull the flooring back together. This resolved the issues.

Ecofriendly Bamboo Flooring Installation

While there are some legitimate questions about the dimensional stability or dimensional change coefficient (DCC) of solid strand bamboo, I feel we should address a core problem: The installation guidelines are not being followed. Whether regarding acclimation of the flooring, the use of T moldings, not using a wide enough baseboard, or the environmental conditions in the home, the majority of issues come back to the product not being installed or maintained correctly. When installing floating floors (especially solid strand click flooring), always remember these basics:

1. Acclimate the flooring to the manufacturer's guidelines. If you can't find any, call the manufacturer or refer to the NWFA guidelines.

4. Floating floors move more around the perimeter of the room than attached flooring, so a larger expansion space is required, along with wider base or a base/shoe combination as needed.

Strand Woven Bamboo Flooring

A professional installer installs to manufacturer-specific guidelines, and that is how installers cover their own installation warranties if there is ever an issue. I encourage all installers to attend any seminars and training courses they can to familiarize themselves with new and innovative products in our marketplace, including strand bamboo.

All Things Wood Floor, created by Wood Floor Business magazine, talks to interesting wood flooring pros to share knowledge, stories and tips on everything to do with wood flooring, from installation, sanding and finishing to business management.