Replies

1. 
   calvin | Apr 15, 2015 09:05pm | #1

   Be carefull

   Lumber liquidators is and has been a suspect company.  Latest snafu, formaldehyde laden.

   I've used a couple manufacturers, one is Teragren which we found to be decent.

   be careful.

2. 
   jimblodgett | Apr 16, 2015 11:13am | #2

   I've used bamboo a few times over the years, stair treads, handrails, window sills, most recently about 600 sq ft of t+g flooring.  Tough stuff.  Dense.

   The flooring we used was prefinished boards 3/4"x3"x36" (maybe 39"?).  Each board was three layers of bamboo 1/4" thick, middle layer offset each direction to create the t+g and end matching.  So while it is in fact a laminated product, it's not what I think of when I read or hear the term "laminated flooring".  Went down easily and after a few years of light traffic seems to be holding up well, even in a kitchen.  The building we installed that floor in has an HRV that keeps the air fresh and almost sparkly feeling, but I am a little worried about the possible formaldehyde issues.  We didn't buy it from Lumber Liquidaters but that doesn't mean this material doesn't have the same issues. 

   Bamboo has been around out here in the Pacific Northwest for several years now, and while I haven't installed any other type myself, and can't swear to it, I gotta believe there are other types of bamboo laminates available.  Seems like every time I turn around I hear or read someone mention bamboo flooring.

   I have never seen any bamboo unfinished, and wonder if that's because of stability issues as the product sits in warehouses or shipping containers as it circuits the seas.  I hope they get this formaldehyde issue worked out.  I do think the positive attributes of sustainability (man, that stuff can run amok in a hurry out here in our climate) along with the density of the finished product make for an interesting combination as our population grows and the demand for "wood" products increases.  

3. 
   Mongo | Apr 16, 2015 07:35pm | #3

   Another vote for Teragren.

   I like that it's 100% bamboo. I installed about 800 sqft of it in my own house about 15 years ago. No regrets.

   I've looked at other bamboos over the years, but samples I got that had a bamboo wear layer with sifrwood plies beneath did cup. I think even today, Teragren's engineered are still 100% bamboo.

1. 
   TarloFarm | Apr 17, 2015 10:04am | #4

   Thanks Mongo and Jim (my sister used to date a Jim Blodgett), this is exactly the information I'm looking for.

1. 
   jimblodgett | Apr 17, 2015 11:00pm | #5

   "(my sister used to date a

   "(my sister used to date a Jim Blodgett)"

   Um, well, did she mention anything about him cow tipping, playing pocket book or leaving her in a family way?

2. 
   jimblodgett | Apr 18, 2015 12:28am | #6

   "(my sister used to date a

   "(my sister used to date a Jim Blodgett)"

   You do know there is another Jim Blodgett, right? Not certain where he works right now but last I heard he was the warden at the state penitentiary in Walla Walla. Have you asked him about these children?

3. 
   calvin | Apr 18, 2015 06:31am | #7

   One thing to remember if used in a kitchen

   while it is dense, keep some eighth inch Masonite for when you roll out the frig.  The wheels can crush the flooring a bit.  Probably not much to feel, but certainly enough to see. I leave a pc, with the homeowner when I'm done.

1. 
   jimblodgett | Apr 18, 2015 12:01pm | #8

   Left over strips of plastic laminate work great for that, too.  For years I kept a few in my van for just that purpose, came in handy many times.  Refridgerator wheels don't always play nice with vinyl or other sheet flooring either.  Shudder to think of the times I've rubbed a bubble of vinyl flooring up in front of something heavy like that.   

1. 
   calvin | Apr 18, 2015 07:24pm | #9

   Jim

   I have things in my van that have saved my rear many times.

   tell me if you've found this happen.  You have those 2pcs of laminate and up pops something that makes you use up one or both (substitute anything).

   do you remember to restock?

   I'm crushed when I don't.

2. 
   DanH | Apr 18, 2015 09:25pm | #10

   I'm having trouble visualizing how a piece of lightweight laminate would prevent your rear from being crushed by stuff sliding forward in your van on a sudden stop.

3. 
   calvin | Apr 18, 2015 10:35pm | #11

   Really?

   the bulkhead or whatever it's called behind the seats would be a brief stop for all sorts of shrapnel and assorted tools of destruction.  

   That steel "cage" is about as much protection as those pcs. of laminate.

   the key is no sudden stops.

4. 
   TarloFarm | Apr 20, 2015 11:42am | #12

   You can always tell when threads reach the end of their usefulness...   

5. 
   calvin | Apr 20, 2015 09:43pm | #13

   Breaktime BC was filled to the brim with.........

   wavering thread shifts, asides, etc.

   Part of the ambiance'.

   from the French - bull shitting.

6. 
   TarloFarm | Apr 21, 2015 12:27pm | #14

   I moved dirt for 12 years.  I'm very familiar with bull [JOBSITE WORD]ting.  

7. 
   calvin | Apr 21, 2015 10:07pm | #15

   Tarlo

   And here I thought you spoke French fluently.