Gluedown Bamboo vs, Floating Maple

14 years ago

Hello,

I just purchased my first place, a small 700sqft condo, and I am trying to decide what type of flooring to install. The previous owners installed solid glue down bamboo in the entryway, hallway and kitchen about two years ago that looks nice. After looking at all the options in my budget it looks like I can either continue the bamboo for the rest of the place or install an engineered Maple that will be floated. The bamboo would be solid and glued down. My question is which flooring well have better resale value in the future (about 5 years) and also which is better quality? Even though the bamboo isn't a real hardwood it would be glued down which I heard is more stable and preferred. The engineered Maple isn't a top brand and I think cannot be re-finished because the top veneer is a little thin. Can bamboo be refinished or sanded if it is solid? My condo complex is a mix of very old retirees (majority) and younger families. Thank you!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

Billl
14 years ago
In a 700 sq ft condo, I would strongly recommend you stick with 1 type of wood floor for the whole thing. Flooring changes can make any area look chopped up, and that is especially true of small spaces.

As for what would sell better - it is hard to predict trends 5 years out. Bamboo is gaining in popularity, so it could be "the thing to have" by that point. Who knows? What I do know is that either all maple or all bamboo who appeal to more buyers than a mix of the 2.
seaorchid
Original Author
14 years ago
Actually, I will either do all maple or all bamboo. I wasn't considering mixing the two woods as I think you are right and it will make the area look chopped up. I am just on the fence about which way to go, thanks!
Related Professionals
River Edge Architects & Building Designers · Syracuse Architects & Building Designers · Aberdeen General Contractors · Decatur General Contractors · DeRidder General Contractors · Easley General Contractors · El Sobrante General Contractors · Gary General Contractors · Hampton General Contractors · Lakewood Park General Contractors · Langley Park General Contractors · Murrysville General Contractors · The Hammocks General Contractors · Tuckahoe General Contractors · Westminster General Contractors
cordovamom
14 years ago
Solid bamboo flooring can be refinished...but it is my understanding that solid bamboo needs to be nailed down. Engineered flooring, whether bamboo or maple can be glued down or floating, depending on the type you buy. Refinishing engineered flooring is usually not feasible due to the thin layer of hardwood veneer used to engineer the flooring. I'd clarify with a flooring expert whether solid bamboo can be glued.
sylviatexas1
14 years ago
"Floating" floors are sometimes weird to walk on, too;
it sounds & feels like you're walking on a countertop.

The bamboo floors I've seen & walked on have been really wonderful.
roserobin_gw
14 years ago
We glued our bamboo flooring over concrete in my basement office- (glued to itself on the tongue and grooves, as a floating floor over underlay used for floating floors) It looks great, feels good and has a 25 year warranty, so I think it will hold up well. I don't know about refinishing, it is solid strips of bamboo with 8 layers of polyurethane. Very nice looking and a good price.
mkiv808
14 years ago
I have bamboo in my current place. I would not do it again. It seems to be very fragile, cracking at the edges and easily dented. Mine is natural color, and I've heard the darker ones are even more delicate.