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Costco and Bamboo Flooring - A Follow-Up

You may remember my post from a few weeks ago about some green-friendly products being sold at Costco. I received several contacts regarding that post, but the most interesting just came in yesterday. Here is the email:

Message details:
From: Bruce Baxter
Email: wellmadesales01@aol.com
Subject: Golden Arowana Bamboo Flooring

Thank you for mentioning our product that is sold in Costco. Bamboo flooring is the most environmentally friendly product used in flooring. In fact, it is the only readily renewable natural resource used in flooring, except for rocks! We also have rocks: Pebble Tiles.

Costco is the only retailer in the US (that I am aware of) that is offering a true premium bamboo flooring for around $2.00 s/f. The reason they can offer this premium bamboo for this price, is that they purchase very large quantities, do all their own shipping from China, and have a very low markup for profit.

Should you or others wish to learn more about Bamboo, please visit our Golden Arowana website at bambooflooringinstaller.com. On this web site I try to educate Costco Members on bamboo that is beyond the hype so they can make an informed decision with regard to purchasing bamboo. Please feel free to contact should you wish additional information. Thank You again!

Bruce R. Baxter
Manufacturers' Representative - USA

www.wellmadecorp.com
www.bamboofloorings.com

I emailed Bruce back to ask him if I could include his letter on my blog. I you are looking for another option for flooring you home take a look at this product - it is an ideal option for a remodeler on a budget!

Posted by Jeff Geoghan MBA - Lancaster PA Real Estate Expert on 07/26/2007 10:48 PM

Comments (43)

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Originally posted at: Lancaster PA Real Estate Blog: Costco and Bamboo Flooring - A Follow-Up

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43 Comments on Costco and Bamboo Flooring - A Follow-Up

JUL

2007

Jeff, Next time I'm in Nashville I'll check out the flooring in Costco. That is the closest to my. Thanks

I am new too the green thing, I do have a question about these floors. Are the durable? Or will my heals hurt the floor?

Pam - check it out and see if they have it over there.

Beth - Love Simi Valley, used to have a buddy who lived up there. Yes, Bamboo is very durable and attractive.

Well done, I am always looking for a great deal on flooring for some of my rental homes. Great info..

Yes, I am lobbying an investor client to go with this flooring in his next rehab home.

We're are growing bamboo, more as a lark than anything. They multiply rapidly as they are native to Missouri. Have been thinking of getting a Panda soon, before they take over our entire 3 acres, Will welcome people we can share starts with. Make your own bamboo furniture and floors.

My Mr. "W" client has bamboo flooring in the kitchen ...from Costco....

Joan - sounds interesting! You should post about it...

Sally - what do you think of it? Look nice, wear nice, etc? Was it put in recently? See, now you won't be able to look at a floor without thinking "I wonder if that's from Costco..."

JUL

2007

Jeff, I went on a broker tour yesterday and one of the houses on my list had bamboo flooring. I think everyone there just fell in love with the floor.

By the way, I am so glad and happy for you that the flooring company noticed your post and sent you that nice e-mail.

Thanks, Mana. I'm getting all sorts of interesting emails and contacts these days from my blog presence. Most are relocation requests which have yet to produce a serious buyer - but there are prospects.

Bamboo is becoming real popular here also. Some local distributors are bringing in containers of flooring and granite counter tops from China.

Jeff, I've had bamboo flooring in my upstairs for about three years now. I like the way it looks, it is hard and it is very renewable. The only downside, and I've talked to others with the same problem, is that the finish scratches very easily. Since all bamboo flooring is prefinished this can be a problem.

I pretty much believe it is...will ask the other agent to make sure...as she represents the investors that bought all these....and Costco is two blocks away. :)

Granite, Randy? That would be worth checking into.

David, has the finish on your own floors suffered?

Wow, Sally - Costco is pretty close! Lots of cars...

Jeff,

Great news. Didn't know that bamboo flooring is the most environmentally friendly flooring product. Maybe it is. It does grow real fast, is that why? What about the other hardwood floorings? Some are saying that bamboo is as durable as they are.

Jeff,

I just read your other blog on the environmental products being sold in Costco. Thanks again for the posts. I have been considering bamboo flooring for my office and there is a Costco very near by.

-George Garcia

New World Inspections Inc.

JUL

2007

I bookmarked this page for reference for later because we are putting in bamboo in our guest bedroom. It is a great site to send clients to. Thanks for the post. Katerina

Jeff~

One of my clients replaced her old carpets with new flooring...bamboo. I just came back from her place and can tell-you the floors look WONDERFUL. I di remove my shoes when I stepped inside...

I love the idea (mentioned in a comment above by Joan S. ) of growing and harvesting your own bamboo. I don't see myself doing that...but I read recently that "Maui, architect David Sands, AIA, owner of EcoArchitects in Haiku, travels the world researching bamboo and its many uses. ..." so this may be a coming trend, eh?

Jeff, Yes there are a number of scratches in the finish. The best thing to do is put felt pads on the bottom of all furniture. It scratches easier than any floor I have ever seen. I hate to bring less than good news to this upbeat post, but there it is. A local bookstore, when building their new site, opted to go with a commercial grade bamboo. It looks great, and they have had the same problem with the finish scratching as I have.

JUL

2007

Thanks, David - I appreciate the important feedback on the importance of proper care for the finished bamboo floor.

SEP

2007

How funny, We have some on the way! One of our friends ordered Bamboo for their house and then changed their minds when they relized they didn't have enough to cover the whole basement. So they are arriving next week with enough to cover our whole house for less than a $1 a foot!

Since this is a remodel, we are not going to install it until we are just ready to move out. Don't want any thing getting ruined before we sell.

SEP

2007

Sounds great, Todd. No fun waiting until you move to put in a new floor!

A lot of great product on their site. Thanks for posting this blog.

SEP

2007

I fell in love with bamboo flooring the first time I saw it!

MAY

2008

I just love costco. not to much to chose from but most of there ideams are very good.

Alex Greb ((portland oregon real estate ))

Alex, I agree - Costco does do a good job of buying. Thanks for your comment!

JUL

2008

Informative post. I also wrote a post on Bamboo Flooring that you may want to check out.

Have a great day!

Christina

JUL

2008

Great information Jeff. I had heard mention of the product but your link really gave me the insight I need.

Maui is another place where Bamboo flooring is very popular. It really is a nice looking surface and there are different appearances for bamboo flooring. The one thing mentioned about scratching above is true. It can scratch a little easier. Those who own a couple of dogs may want to consider the effect of their claws on the flooring. Otherwise, it is a great choice, relatively economical and certainly a sustainable plant.

Christina Asad Edwards @ www.daytonohiohouse.com (Real Living Realty Services - #1 in Ohio!)

Thanks for resurrecting this post, Christina! Seems like yesterday that I wrote it...

Bamboo is still hot here in Lancaster.

Sabrina Kelley ,Colorado Mountain Homes (Prudential Colorado Real Estate )

Sabrina, glad to be of help. There's so much out here in AR it's easy to miss things.

Pete Jalbert R(S) (Jim Sanders Realty, Inc. )

Hi Pete. Good reminders - I've seen some pretty scratched floors so caution and preplanning (like not in the entry) are musts.

AUG

2008

I have had my eye on it, and once the funds are available, I am all over it! Thanks for sharing it!

Check out my last blog...

AUG

2008

My brand new apartment has bamboo flooring and I am sorry to say it is the worst flooring I have ever lived with. Everything you drop leaves a mark. Fancy high heeled shoes leave a mark unless the wearer happens to be twiggy. In the three years I have lived here the flooring has black marks and holes that turn black just about everywhere people walk, sit or just live. The finish is painted on and does not look good to begin with, then with how easily the floor gets damages after three short years this floor looks worse then the floor of my last apartment which I lived in for 15 years.

MAY

If the bamboo wasn't prefinished with a layer call "aluminum oxide" then the scratches may be unavoidable which always happen on the low price bamboo flooring. Quality depends on the price and the price depends on the quality.

JUN

We just installed the Costco bamboo in our family room (ourselves!). It looks beautiful. I would like to point out that ANY wood floor will scratch if you wear high heels or drag furniture across it. From what I understand, the scratches you see are actually scratches in the finish and can be refinished out. I've read that the bamboo wood is harder than oak. I wouldn't recommend using this in a rental property as you do need to take care not to scratch it. Get a nice laminate.

JUN

We are thinking of buying the Costco bamboo flooring.

What is the best way to install this? Can it be a "floating" floor? What type of nails? Do you need a special tool to nail it down? I'd rather not use glue because that kind of cancels out any type of eco-friendly benefit of the bamboo.

Thanks.

Bamboo flooring is the same as any solid wood tongue and groove strip flooring. The best way to install it is with an angle nailer (nails at an angle through the tongue). If you do not have experience with this process it can be difficult. Angle nailers and compressers are rentable. You will also need a face nailer (finish gun) for those areas close to the wall where the angle nailer does not fit.

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