I am interested in putting in new floors in my kitchen, dining room and family room. We do have a dog. I am wondering what type of florring will be the most durable, bamboo or engineered? Also, what type of bamboo...carbonized, stained or natural...or what type of wood for engineered? Would love your help! Thanks!!!!
Durability Bamboo flooring is more stable than engineered hardwood flooring, which is made from multiple layers of wood. Engineered hardwood floors are more moisture-resistant, making them an acceptable option for bathrooms and kitchens. Appearance Bamboo floors look almost identical to engineered hardwood floors, with a classic, grainy appearance. Engineered wood floors are available in a wider variety of colors, while bamboo floors typically take on a copper tone or a light, blond look. Environment Bamboo floors are more environmentally conscious than engineered hardwood floors, as bamboo renews much quicker. Longevity Bamboo floors typically last longer, as they do not need to be refinished or polished as engineered hardwood floors do. Cost Engineered hardwood floors are partially made from scrap wood, making them cheaper than bamboo floors, although the price is usually fairly close.
Both engineered hardwood and bamboo are about the same for maintenance and damage resistance. Get the one you like the best. Bamboo is a product of China so look out for formaldehyde ( adding formaldehyde to the glue that binds the bamboo together makes it cheaper to make) and other chemicals. So for bamboo do not buy the cheapest, do not buy less than 1/2 thick. The thin bamboos are a problem from the start. If using engineered hardwood look for a wood grown in North America and produced in the USA. Mannington makes a lot of USA made hardwood. A good engineered wood can last for 75 to 100 years and may out last most of today's homes. The issue of your dog is only important if it wets a lot in the home. Can be an issue for bamboo or hardwood. If the pet does wet in the house, post the Information and I will give you more ideas.
Bamboo Engineered Flooring
During extreme changes in the weather, natural hardwood flooring can expand and contract so much that it will buckle or warp. The core layer of an engineered hardwood floor gives it the ability to expand and contract without buckling or warping as natural hardwood flooring would. This means that engineered hardwood flooring is less affected by environmental conditions and can be installed in more areas than natural hardwood flooring. For example, unlike a natural hardwood floor, you can install an engineered hardwood floor in a humid or damp basement. An engineered hardwood floor can also be installed over radiant heating system without suffering any damage. If you install a natural hardwood floor over a radiant heating system, the natural hardwood floor could buckle, cup, or shrink.
