MYTH 1. Bamboo is much harder and/ or much softer than other hardwoods. FACT 1. Bamboo flooring is most often very comparable to Red Oak hardwood floors. There are different types and hardness of bamboo flooring, for example: standard solid or engineered bamboo products are hardness tested at ratings similar or slightly higher than Red Oak but newer strand woven products can have a hardness rating of up to three times higher than that of Red Oak depending on supplier. MYTH 2. Formaldehyde free bamboo is better for your home and better for the environment. FACT 2. The amount of formaldehyde in quality bamboo flooring is many times less than the typical finish on regular furniture in your home. If the supplier meets OSHA and/ or E1 health standards, formaldehyde should not be an issue (see: Teragren®, Ambient®, and Bamboo Mountain®). Formaldehyde levels are so low that formaldehyde free products usually deemed unnecessary unless you are allergic to the substance. Also, the alternative chemical (called isocyanate) may be dangerous to the manufacturing employees. MYTH 3. Bamboo is harmful because it has to be shipped here. FACT 3. If you live on the West Coast and buy an Oak or Maple floor (which comes from the East), there is more embodied energy in that product than a Bamboo floor made near the coast in China and shipped over the water. Ocean freight is simply that much more efficient. MYTH 4. Pandas suffer because of bamboo harvesting. FACT 4. Pandas eat over 30 different types of bamboo, most of which is found in the highlands in the Pacific Rim. The species used for bamboo flooring is Moso, which is not on that list. The Pandas will not go hungry because of bamboo harvested for flooring. MYTH 5. Bamboo flooring is completely water proof. FACT 5. Bamboo flooring is less susceptible to water damage than most traditional hardwood floors, but it’s still susceptible. All liquids should be cleaned and dried as quickly as possible. MYTH 6. Bamboo flooring is so strong, it is completely scratch proof. FACT 6. Bamboo used for flooring is incredibly strong and should last a lifetime, but scratches will happen. The protection against scratches is only as strong as the finish on the flooring; the more coats, the more protection against scratches. Preventative measures such as area rugs and walk off mats should help as well. MYTH 7. Many companies in the U.S. publish inaccurate bamboo flooring information in regards to the hardness of their flooring. FACT 7. The standard hardness testing for hardwood flooring is the ASTM Janka Test, measured in pounds of force (LBF). Most companies selling bamboo floors in the U.S. have similar Janka hardness ratings. The bamboo is usually weaker if it is made from prematurely harvested stalks or a species other than Moso (the most common). It is speculated that some companies have the test done on the knuckle (aka the node) of the bamboo plant which is significantly stronger than the majority of the plant. A good hardwood floor supplier should have a reputable outside company test the hardness of their flooring and be willing to send customers that information. MYTH 8. Bamboo is ready to be harvested after only 90 days of growth. FACT 8. Bamboo stalks can reach full growth maturity after about 3 months, but they do not reach full strength potential for 5 to 7 years depending on growing conditions. If they are harvested pre-maturely, they are too weak; and if they are harvested too late, they become brittle. MYTH 9. All bamboo flooring is the same. FACT 9. Bamboo flooring companies vary in the finish they use in their products. The best finish for bamboo flooring is aluminum oxide; it is one of the most durable and long lasting finishes on the market, and one of the few that works well with bamboo. The only downside to this finish is that scratches are slightly more visible during the initial wear period than on other wood floors, however they quickly fade if the floor is properly maintained and regularly swept. A very lightly damp mop with some soft soap and warm water, followed by a dry mop, is a simple and effective way to maintain an aluminum oxide finish. A good supplier should have mutliple layers of finish including aluminum oxide, anti-scratch, and ultra violet light protection. That being said, you should always use felt pads under furniture and movable items on your floor. Like any wood floor, bamboo will lighten over time if exposed to direct sunlight. There are over 300 factories just in China that make bamboo flooring and over 200 importers in the U.S. market. MYTH 10. You are dealing with a manufacturer. FACT 10. Most Bamboo flooring mills source their raw materials from a huge array of sources, so be wary of claims by American "manufacturers" (in reality, they are all just importers) that claim that their Bamboo stalks come from sources that are in some way environmentally superior. The high quality companies (importers) are very involved on the manufacturing side, and most have their floors created from Moso Bamboo, which is the sturdiest species and is almost exclusively plantation grown (which helps with consistency). Just remember that typically you get what you pay for - again, ordering and testing samples from multiple companies is a wonderful way to protect yourself from ordering a floor that will crack or cup in a year. MYTH 11. Buying FSC-certified bamboo ensures that the product you are getting is from a more environmentally responsible factory/importer. FACT 11. There now exists third-party certification for FSC for bamboo. The problem is that there is poor oversight of FSC-certification in China and the factories can and do fudge on environmental practices. The FSC-certification company that issues the "chain of custody" for bamboo floors coming from China is currently in hot water with the FSC for questionable certifications. The fact is that almost all Moso bamboo (the best for flooring) in China is harvested using sustainable methods from managed forests as it has been for hundreds (if not thousands) of years. An FSC Certification on wood from China just does not hold much water.