Hardwood vs. Click Strand Bamboo Flooring

[Jules Semanchuk]

Hello,

I've recently purchased my first home.  It's a four bedroom townhouse located downtown in Charleston, SC.  The lower level is a concrete slab and the upper level is a plywood base floor.  We are considering putting real hardwood upstairs (plywood base) and Strand Bamboo downstairs (concrete slab).  Does anyone have experience with the Morning Star Strand Bamboo from Lumber Liquidators?  Is it durable?  Does it scratch easily?  Can it be sanded, and if so how many times?

I'm considering putting the Bamboo flooring upstairs as well and would like anyone's opinion on the durability.  I plan to live in this house for at least two years and then make it a rental.

Thank you,

Jules

[Douglas Larson]

@Jules Semanchuk 

When I lived and flipped homes in Hawaii, natural, blonde bamboo was very popular and looked great unless people had dogs. Those little paws scratch the heck out of any wood surface!

Now that I live in Utah, I hear nothing but bad stories about bamboo. First, the darker colors are now in style and always show more scuffs than the natural or blonde color. Second, in Hawaii everybody always takes their shoes off to enter a home, so scuffs, other than doggy claws, were unusual. Third, in Hawaii (and probably in S. Carolina) the humidity keeps bamboo hydrated but the dry climate here in the west makes bamboo crack and split in the first year!

If you go with bamboo, or any wood, put little pads on the bottoms of chair and table legs, and think about a no-shoes policy. Also, be aware that direct sun will eventually change the color of most wood floors. If you go with something very dark and glossy, you will probably shoot yourself in the first 6 months if you have pets and/or kids. If it's for your own residence, do what you want and enjoy it. If it's in a rental home, I would stay away from bamboo or any wood. There are some great porcelain tiles these days that have a great look and far better durability. Below is a floor I just had installed in a kitchen for about $5.50 er Sq. Ft. including labor and materials. They are 12"x 24" porcelain tiles from Home Depot with epoxy "Haystack" grout.

Have fun and post some photos when you are done!