Prefinished vs. Unfinished - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

Nonphixion · 04-17-2008, 05:24 PM

Going to be doing Kitchen, living rm, entry/hallway, dining room. Was going to go w/ a very dark bamboo prefinished from *cough* lumber liquidators(seeing some mixed opinions about them on here) but after talking to a friend, who I believe is on this board, I'm thinking twice.

Most of these areas will be high traffic spots.

Thoughts?

JonM · 04-17-2008, 05:49 PM

"engineered"...

Cdat · 04-17-2008, 06:44 PM

I have yet to of seen bamboo not engineered.

7echo · 04-19-2008, 11:00 AM

Is the engineered bamboo very hard?
How about some name brand/variety recommendations on engineered floors? I am doing the same sort of project shortly and appreciate comments. Hope this isn't hijacking!

Bud Cline · 04-19-2008, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Hope this isn't hijacking!

If this isn't hijacking....WHAT IS?

Why not start your own thread so as not to confuse everyone if these projects take off in two different directions like they normally do?

orson · 04-19-2008, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nonphixion

Going to be doing Kitchen, living rm, entry/hallway, dining room. Was going to go w/ a very dark bamboo prefinished from *cough* lumber liquidators(seeing some mixed opinions about them on here) but after talking to a friend, who I believe is on this board, I'm thinking twice.

Most of these areas will be high traffic spots.

Thoughts?

Just a suggestion but can you find a GC you are on friendly terms with to buy the stuff for you at a store like For the Trades? At least you will know you are getting a quality flooring product at a good price unlike at Lumber Liquidators.

Bamboo is extremely hard and on average scores higher than oak on Janka Ball tests. Of course, as far as wear you are at the mercy of the quality of the finish.

gideond · 04-20-2008, 11:29 AM

I've dealt primarily with Bamtex brand. They have a vertical and horizontal stack product as well as a floating floor variety. They also have a special order Strand Bamboo variety. Strand is the most expensive and by far the hardest. The others are cold glued, where Strand is injected with resins and compressed under heat. Strand is more than twice as hard as oak. Of the other more common varieties, the natural color is a bit harder than Oak on the Janka scale. The carbonized color is a bit softer than oak because the carbonizing process weakens the product a bit. Bamtex uses a 9 coat acrylic urethane with Aluminum Oxide system for it's top coat.

I'm sure there are other brands just as good out there. I doubt you'll find them at lumber liquidators. I've heard no end of horror stories on their bamboo and cork products.