How to Rate Bamboo Floors

Bamboo floors are quickly becoming an alternate, inexpensive and environmentally friendly flooring choice to hardwood floors. Just as certain hardwood floors are rated more highly for durability and general hardness, there are ways to tell the difference between a longer lasting bamboo floor and one that may not last as long.

Things You'll Need

• Bamboo flooring samples
• A coin

Instructions

1. Examine the bamboo's color. Bamboo that is darker in color tends to be softer because of the way the wood is heated and then stained. Choose the lightest possible bamboo flooring if you are hoping for increased durability.

2. Scrape the edge of a coin across the bamboo sample's surface. It the sample shows the scrape or the flooring seems to flake off, the bamboo flooring may not be as highly rated.

3. If you do not have a coin handy, press your fingernail into the board. If your fingernail sinks into the board or leaves a mark, the bamboo floor is not as durable.

4. Check the bamboo flooring sticker or ask a flooring representative if the flooring is verified by the Forest Stewardship Council or the FSC. This governing body ensures that dangerous pesticides or chemicals are not used in the production of growing or manufacturing the bamboo floors, thus making the flooring with an FSC approval a safer option.

5. Ask if the flooring has been given a PSI rating. The PSI test determines how hard (and therefore durable) the bamboo is. Choose a bamboo that is the highest PSI possible for increased durability.

Tips & Warnings

• Some bamboo floors can be rated up to 1,400 PSI--which is harder than Australian Cypress, which has a 1,375 PSI rating.

• Some bamboo flooring companies use formaldehyde glue. Before purchasing, ask the retailer if the bamboo flooring has been rated at less than 0.01 parts per million of formaldehyde.

References

• Bamboo Flooring Introduction
• HardwoodBrokers.com
• Slate.com