Why Choose Bamboo Flooring for your Home or Business?
June 10, 2025
When it comes to selecting flooring for your home or business, there are plenty of options to choose from. Hardwood, tile, natural linoleum, and carpet each have their advantages, but have you considered bamboo? As a rapidly renewable resource with remarkable durability and aesthetic appeal, bamboo flooring is an excellent choice for those looking to combine sustainability with style.
One of the biggest advantages of bamboo flooring is that it has a low environmental impact and contributes positively to carbon sequestration. Unlike traditional hardwoods, which can take decades to mature, most bamboo reaches full harvest maturity in just 5-12 years. With a faster growth rate, it is one of the most sustainable flooring materials available. Bamboo is in the giant grass family and not a hardwood at all. It is extremely durable and strong, with fibers that grow densely packed together. Additionally, responsible manufacturers, like Plyboo, Cali Bamboo, and Allwood ensure ethical harvesting practices and use adhesives with low volatile organic compounds (VOCs), making bamboo flooring a healthier choice for indoor air quality.
Bamboo flooring offers a clean and modern look that can complement a variety of interior styles, from rustic and traditional to sleek and contemporary. Available in a range of finishes, colors, and grain patterns, bamboo can mimic the warm tones of oak, the deep richness of walnut, or even a light, airy Scandinavian aesthetic. Bamboo is not only beautiful but also incredibly strong. Strand-woven bamboo has an average Janka Hardness Score of 3,000 psi (pounds square inch), and is harder than many traditional hardwoods, making it highly resistant to dents and scratches. This makes it a great choice for high-traffic areas in both residential and commercial spaces. Its resistance to moisture also makes it a practical option for kitchens, living rooms, and even offices. In addition, maintaining bamboo flooring is simple. Regular sweeping, a terry cloth mop or occasional damp mopping will keep it looking fresh. Unlike carpet, which can trap allergens, bamboo is hypoallergenic and easy to clean, making it an excellent choice for people with allergies or sensitivities.
Misconceptions About Bamboo Flooring
While bamboo flooring offers many benefits, it’s important to understand that quality can vary significantly—particularly when it comes to moisture content. Lower-quality bamboo may arrive with moisture levels as high as 15%, making it more prone to expansion, contraction, and long-term instability, especially in dry climates like Arizona. In contrast, trusted brands such as Plyboo, Cali Bamboo and Allwood manufacture their flooring to meet American hardwood standards, maintaining a controlled moisture content of 6–9%. This consistency is critical for performance and longevity in arid environments. Once properly acclimated—typically over a 3-week period (recommended for here in the desert) —high-quality bamboo becomes very stable. Additionally, while bamboo is a renewable material, consumers should look for manufacturers that prioritize responsible harvesting and ethical sourcing practices to ensure environmental sustainability.
Plyboo
Plyboo flooring, crafted by Smith & Fong, offers a sustainable and aesthetically pleasing alternative to traditional hardwoods. Founded in 1989, Smith & Fong introduced bamboo flooring to the U.S. market in 1993 under the Plyboo brand, pioneering the use of bamboo in American interiors. Over the years, the company expanded its offerings to include a diverse range of bamboo products, such as plywood, wall panels, ceilings and veneers, catering to both residential and commercial applications. Plyboo flooring is renowned for its durability and versatility, available in various styles and finishes to complement different design aesthetics. Smith & Fong’s commitment to environmental responsibility is evident in their sustainable harvesting practices and innovative product development, positioning Plyboo as a leader in eco-friendly building materials.
Cali Bamboo
Founded in San Diego in 2004, CALI has grown into a leading brand in sustainable building materials, offering a diverse range of flooring options. The company sources its bamboo from the Chinese provinces renowned for high-quality bamboo cultivation. CALI’s solid Fossilized® bamboo flooring boasts impressive durability, achieving Janka hardness ratings of up to 5,000+ psi, making it four times harder than oak which is 1390 psi. By combining eco-friendly practices with exceptional product performance, CALI continues to set high standards in the flooring industry.
Allwood Group
Allwood Group offers a distinctive range of bamboo flooring options that set them apart from others. Their collection includes both 3″ solid and 5″ engineered planks, and features a small but versatile variety of colors. A notable product is their Vertical Grain Bamboo in Air, which combines a subtle wire-brushed texture with a matte finish, creating a modern and clean aesthetic. This flooring is designed to showcase the natural variations inherent in bamboo, ensuring each plank is unique. Allwood’s mission is to always put people and the planet before profit, which is why they never use any plastics or vinyl in their flooring, and they are always working to minimize waste in all of their business practices. Additionally, their products come with a lifetime structural warranty and a 25-year finish warranty, underscoring their commitment to quality and customer satisfaction. Allwood Group’s commitment to sustainability, craftsmanship, and natural beauty makes their bamboo flooring an ideal choice for eco-conscious homeowners seeking style without compromise.
Bringing Bamboo Flooring Into Your Home
Choosing the right bamboo flooring depends on your lifestyle and design preferences, and at Originate, we’re here to help you find the perfect balance of beauty, durability, and sustainability. Whether you’re drawn to the sleek, modern appeal of Plyboo’s Stiletto Strand collection or the unmatched strength of Cali Bamboo’s Fossilized flooring, we offer high-quality options from trusted brands. Our commitment to sustainable materials ensures that your flooring choice not only enhances your space but also supports a healthier planet.