Achieving the perfect look for your home’s interior often takes time, inspiration, and the right building materials. As homeowners continue to push for greener alternatives to traditional materials, companies rush to fill that need. Cali Bamboo may be one such supplies company.
Cali Bamboo provides sustainable building materials, primarily flooring and decking. A 50-year delamination warranty backs its flooring, and the planks are typically easy to install. However, individuals living in humid environments might not want to choose bamboo, as it absorbs moisture.
This article will explore the Cali Bamboo company to understand its origins, products, and unique features. We’ll also be taking an in-depth look at the durability, price, waterproofing, warranty, and color options within the Cali Bamboo flooring lineup. Finally, we’ll see how easy or challenging it is to install Cali Bamboo flooring.
What Is Cali Bamboo?
Cali Bamboo is a Californian company specializing in sustainable construction materials. While it provides some fencing materials and bamboo plywood for cabinetry, its primary products tend to be flooring and composite decking materials.
Shoppers can browse from six broad categories of flooring, and they could choose between two composite decking types. Because Cali Bamboo’s most versatile product line is its flooring, it’s often referred to as a flooring company, even though it provides many other products.
History
Jeff Goldberg and Tanner Haigwood founded Cali Bamboo in 2004. The two men thought of the concept for the bamboo-based company after spending time in Hawaii in 2003.
Realizing how quickly bamboo grows and what a great substitute it is for standard wood materials, Goldberg and Haigwood decided that they’d create their own bamboo supplies company.
That company expanded, and as it grew, the company added more products to its catalog. Cork flooring, eucalyptus flooring, and gorgeous area rugs made of natural materials and recycled fibers all began to grace the Cali Bamboo inventory.
Nowadays, they’re purveyors of a wide variety of materials and products. However, their flooring selection is only rivaled by their diverse collection of area rugs.
What type of Flooring is Cali Bamboo offering?
Cali Bamboo offers several types of flooring. Each flooring material comes in many different styles and colors, ensuring that shoppers can find something that matches their tastes and preferences.
The six types of flooring available are:
- Bamboo
- Wood
- Eucalyptus
- Cork
- Vinyl
- Engineered
It may surprise you to see so many options, particularly those that aren’t known for their environmentally-friendly impact. However, many of these options are created with as many sustainable materials as possible.
This way, you could choose Cali Bamboo for real hardwood flooring or modern coated cork panels. No matter what your heart desires, Cali Bamboo has an option that’s bound to please. The only flooring materials they’re missing are stone-based ones.
But a real stone is a finite material. Miners have to dig deep into the earth to find some types of stone, and the ecological impact of these mining endeavors is often negative.
There’s some argument about the sustainability of bamboo (Cali Bamboo’s primary material for supplies). But bamboo doesn’t seem to impact the environment as negatively as the mining or timber industries. Let’s go ahead and explore some of those bamboo options.
Cali Bamboo
Cali Bamboo offers ten reliable bamboo flooring options and a dozen engineered ones, and they each have their pros and cons. These planks are available in three different thicknesses, 5/8” (1.6cm), 7/16” (1.1cm), and 9/16” (1.4cm). The thicker options are the most plentiful.
These bamboo flooring options also come in several widths. The skinniest planks are about 3-¾” (9.5cm) while the widest can be up to 7-½” (19.1cm). Bamboo, particularly the substantial variety, can be incredibly durable and long-lasting. But it can also absorb moisture.
Though these planks all feature a finish of some sort to help them repel water and liquid, these finishes can wear away over time. If homeowners don’t maintain their bamboo flooring, they may deal with weakened planks and moldy floors.
Still, bamboo is typically less expensive than hardwood, and it may also be more sustainable. But Cali Bamboo also offers a few hardwood options for those who have their hearts set on the feel and look of traditional wood flooring.
Wood
When it comes to wood flooring, Cali Bamboo offers two primary options. The first may be more desirable to those looking for solid hardwood flooring.
The second option, GeoWood, is an exciting alternative to standard hardwood floors. Let’s explore both of them to discover how they’re similar and how they differ.
Cali Hardwoods
All of the Cali Hardwoods are made of engineered wood. If you’re not entirely sure what this means, don’t worry. Engineered wood flooring does feature real hardwood. However, it does so as a thin upper layer that lays atop a much thicker plywood layer.
Engineered hardwood flooring has the look and general feel of traditional hardwood flooring, but it’s more affordable and sustainable. Cali Bamboo provides several different types of engineered hardwood flooring, including:
- Oak
- Maple
- Hickory
Though this flooring type is slightly easier on the environment than other options, GeoWood® may be a more durable and sustainable alternative. Interestingly, this type of flooring looks just as inviting and lustrous as real hardwood options.
GeoWood
Imagine a hard limestone block that’s covered in high-quality wood grain layers. You’ve just imagined GeoWood, a type of material specific to Cali Bamboo. In many ways, this material is an upgrade on engineered wood flooring.
It’s more rigid and more water-resistant than other types of wood-based floors. Thanks to a limestone core, it could also be a more affordable option over hardwood planks.
However, those hoping to acquire a unique-yet-durable flooring material may want to opt for eucalyptus. It looks just like standard wood planks but has some unique properties.
Eucalyptus
Though Cali Bamboo’s eucalyptus flooring is limited to two options; this material is relatively rare and massively attractive. Eucalyptus flooring is durable, easy to install, and resistant to moisture. It also features a gorgeous grain that’s similar to hardwood planks.
Eucalyptus trees are native to Australia, but they now grow all across the United States. Like bamboo, these plants can rapidly develop and thrive. After only a few years of growth, you could harvest a dazzlingly tall eucalyptus tree.
That’s a lot of wood for supplies and products, which is why eucalyptus is considered one of the most sustainable wood-type materials. Still, cork is also a popular option. It’s so popular, Cali Bamboo sometimes struggles to keep their various cork flooring options in stock!
Cork
Cali Bamboo offers four cork flooring options that differ in color and texture but retain all of the cork’s favorable properties. This type of flooring is soft, mold-resistant, but traditionally prone to developing chips and indentations.
The cork flooring on offer by Cali Bamboo features a coating to help panels remain rigid and durable, helping to lessen accidental chipping and damage. However, cork might not be the best floor to place heavy objects on, as a fantastic amount of weight could flatten it.
Vinyl
Vinyl flooring is a relatively popular type of flooring, especially among homeowners on a budget. It’s typically water-resistant, durable, and available in a massive amount of colors and styles. However, it’s also made of synthetic materials, including chemical-laden adhesives.
This flooring has come under fire due to the many volatile organic compounds (VOCs) often contained within, and subsequently released from, its non-assuming planks. Cali Bamboo’s vinyl floors are compliant with the California Air Resources Board’s standards.
The vinyl flooring available from Cali Bamboo emits low amounts of VOCs. While this isn’t perfect, 0,05 PPM of formaldehyde in the air is far more comforting than the 930 PPM that some vinyl floors exude.
NOTE: Most of the vinyl flooring available from Cali Bamboo is waterproof. Every option installs via a simple click-lock method, making set-up a breeze. Overall, vinyl could be an affordable, safe, durable, and attractive flooring option with Cali Bamboo.
Engineered
This category contains entries from the Cali Bamboo, GeoWood, and Cali Hardwoods® product categories. That’s because nearly all bamboo flooring is engineered.
Many of Cali Bamboo’s hardwood flooring is a limestone core with processed wood fibers layered around. This manufacturing process ensures that the wood-based flooring options incorporate as little wood as possible, making them more sustainable.
Engineered flooring may contain a small number of synthetic chemicals thanks to glue or waterproofing finishes, but it’s primarily composed of natural materials. In this way, it’s slightly more environmentally-friendly than laminate flooring but just as easy to install and maintain.
Composite Decking
Traditional decking options can be expensive, challenging to maintain, and far from waterproof. Cali Bamboo’s composite decking options are a mixture of recycled bamboo or wood fibers and high-density plastics.
This composition makes them durable, lightweight, and resistant to moisture. Thanks to their construction, these decking options are also far more environmentally-friendly than standard hardwood planks. Composite decking can also be more affordable than traditional options.
- BamDeck 4G: These decking options are all made of recycled bamboo and High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE). This combination ensures that the decking is resistant to water and damage while also keeping it lightweight and sustainable.
- TruOrganics: Excess wood fibers generated during the manufacturing process don’t go to waste with Cali Bamboo. The TruOrganics selection of composite decking is crafted from recycled wood fibers and high-density plastics. If bamboo isn’t your style, this option may suit your tastes.
Miscellaneous
Cali Bamboo is also the purveyor of several different types of sustainable products for the home, including rugs and furniture. They also sell bamboo fencing supplies, bamboo plywood, flooring maintenance kits, and floor installation tools.
As such, homeowners looking for a one-stop shop for all of their flooring needs could invest in Cali Bamboo and never need to head out for extra stuff. This assurance keeps things convenient and is just another way Cali Bamboo does its best to take care of the customer.
Color and Texture Options
We’ve reviewed the different types of materials Cali Bamboo offers for flooring and decking. But we haven’t fully explored the color and style options each category offers.
Before you can decide whether Cali Bamboo is your next flooring supply company, you’ll need to take a look at their different products. Let’s take a few moments to discuss the different colors and textures you can expect to work with when you opt for Cali Bamboo.
Wood
The wood flooring at Cali Bamboo is almost limited to engineered oak, maple, hickory, and bamboo options. However, some solid bamboo planks are available. These come in rich browns, faded greys, and creamy tans.
The solid woods have a unique glow to them. Thanks to a diverse selection of colors and styles, homeowners could find solid bamboo flooring that satisfies their budget and preferences. For example, many of the solid wood planks have a refined, modern look to them. The Java and Mocha varieties are two such options.
Others sport an aged appearance. Treehouse and Bordeaux are two examples of solid bamboo flooring that cater to a slightly more rustic or antique look. The engineered hardwood options are equally diverse and aesthetically pleasing.
You can find GeoWood® planks made with bamboo, oak, or maple and Cali Hardwoods® planks made with the same materials, plus hickory. Consequently, all-natural shades from dark brown and black to bright white and smoky gray are available among this set.
Eucalyptus
If you’re interested in Cali Bamboo’s two eucalyptus options, then you may have an easier time selecting your ideal flooring. That’s because you’ll only need to choose between a rich brown Mocha plank or a tan and creamy Natural option.
Both feature Cai Bamboo’s signature 10-coat scratch-resistant finish and emit ultra-low amounts of VOCs. And though the Mocha coloration may sport some light staining, it’s just as naturally beautiful as the Natural Eucalyptus flooring.
Still, the Mocha coloration staining may cover up some of the natural flaws and hue changes present in the Natural variety. It also tends to respond to light better and may make a better option for studies or dining rooms.
Cork
There are four cork flooring options available from Cali Bamboo, and they’re quite different in appearance. Silverwood is a white-grey, silvery option with a wood grain texture. Driftwood also resembles wood, though it’s been stained dark, rich brown.
The Shoreline option has a very tropical feel and looks like it was recently harvested from local cork plants. It’s the closest option to all-natural, untreated cork. And then there’s Twilight. This type of cork flooring looks like a cool, dark gray stone material.
Cali Bamboo’s cork flooring tends to be wildly popular, and there’s little wonder why. Their cork products are sustainable, but they’re also equipped to handle the needs of a busy, active household. Besides, they’re quite stylish.
Vinyl
Though Cali Bamboo offers a litany of different wood and bamboo options, it’s nothing when compared to the dozens of potential vinyl floors you could snag from their inventory. There are so many varieties that Cali Bamboo had to separate them into distinct categories.
These categories are:
- Classic
- Mute Step
- Plus
- Longboards
They also offer a comprehensive set of natural colors, including whites, greys, browns, tans, and blacks. Some are waterproof, and some have pre-attached insulation beneath them to make the installation process shorter and more manageable.
Each plank is unique, lending all vinyl options to staggered patterns and configurations. Homeowners and contractors will likely need a saw to avoid suffering a repetitious, unattractive shading across the finished floor. All vinyl options install with a click-and-lock mechanism.
BamDeck 4G
The BamDeck 4G composite decking planks are available in shades of gray or brown, and they tend to exhibit a slightly more stone-like look. However, the Coffee 4G variety can take on a pleasantly rustic aesthetic when appropriately staggered.
Though these decking options are partially made of plastics, there’s very little shine or sheen to them. They’re also coarse enough to facilitate safe walking during wet or icy seasons.
You can invest in 8ft planks or 16ft planks to construct your deck. Each piece attaches to its neighboring one via a fastening installation system, so installing your new deck flooring should be a breeze.
TruOrganics
You can find TruOrganics composite decking options in three primary color categories: Gray, brown, or red. They come in standard and wide varieties. In total, shoppers could choose from Glacier 3G, Yosemite 3G (coal black), Denali 3G (dark brown), or Sedona 3G (golden brown).
All of these options have a very modern, engineered look to them. If you’re looking for something to compliment your craftsman-style home, the dark-brown Denali 3G may work, but it might not be rustic enough to blend in. In this case, the BamDeck® 4G decking solutions might be the better choice.
Durability
Many of Cali Bamboo’s products are durable and made to last. Their warranty backs up this premium design and manufacturing process. Their cork and vinyl options might be some of the weakest choices, but their decking, bamboo, and wood flooring are solid.
Price
Hardwood flooring and stone floors can be expensive. Natural marble or tile costs about $10 per square foot on average, and hardwood planks aren’t far cheaper. Solid bamboo flooring can cost about $9 per square foot, but engineered bamboo floors typically cost about $3 per square foot.
Consequently, Cali Bamboo offers competitive pricing on its flooring and decking options due to smart material implementation and design. Homeowners could achieve the look and style of more expensive wood options at less than half the price when they invest in these floors.
Waterproofing
The majority of Cali Bamboo’s flooring and composite decking options feature a waterproof coating or finish of some type. Some are manufactured used recycled plastics, helping them retain a waterproof interior and exterior.
Though these coatings lessen the planks’ natural appeal (many waterproof coatings contain VOCs), they help protect the wood components from rotting, expanding, or warping. Natural bamboo is a fibrous substance, and it can absorb water quite well.
When left untreated, it would likely begin to decay in moisture-rich climates. Cali Bamboo’s vinyl options and decking are less likely to suffer from these issues, though homeowners that install vinyl flooring will need to keep their floors dry and clean to avoid peeling due to humidity.
Warranty
The warranty that Cali Bamboo offers for most (if not all) of their products is one of the most impressive in the sustainable materials and supply industry. Many of their flooring options are covered by a 50-year anti-delamination warranty, ensuring that your new floor could last a lifetime.
The keyword is could. Bamboo and cork are notoriously prone to moisture and humidity, and vinyl floors aren’t as environmentally-conscious thanks to VOCs, adhesives, and a shorter lifespan than stone and hardwood options.
If homeowners maintain their flooring, they may be able to enjoy the full length of their warranty. However, accidents happen. Should shoppers accidentally choose the wrong type of material, they may face another reflooring project within a few years.
Installation Methods
Homeowners and contractors have all commented on Cali Bamboo’s installation methods. Generally, Cali Bamboo flooring and decking options are easy to install and maintain. However, DIYers that are new to flooring installation may still run into a few issues here and there as they learn.
Still, Cali Bamboo’s flooring and decking are notable for their installation methods and guides. Each product comes with a unique guidebook that helps residents or commercial contractors install their new flooring correctly. Installation typically involves one of four methods.
Four Methods
Cali Bamboo provides installation guides that detail the buyer’s installation options. Most offer four primary choices. We can sum these up as:
- Click-and-Lock
- Tongue-and-Groove
- Glued
- Nailed
But these titles alone aren’t going to tell you which is the easiest and which is the most challenging. You could choose to take a look at our bamboo flooring installation guide for more detail.
We’ve gone ahead and assessed the situation. Our findings are below.
The Easiest Installation Method
The floating click-and-lock installation method is likely to be the easiest and fastest. You won’t need to get glue or nails involved, making this option one of the cleanest as well.
The tongue-and-groove installation is almost as easy and mess-free, but it does involve a particular type of wood glue. Homeowners will need to consider their preferences when deciding between these two relatively easy installation methods.
A Word About Cork
Notably, if you’ve got your eye on cork flooring, you might benefit from its user-friendly installation. Out of every flooring type that Cali Bamboo provides, its cork flooring tends to be the absolute easiest to maintain.
To install cali bamboo cork flooring, you’ll need to employ the drop lock method not described above. Installation experts primarily use the drop lock technique when installing cork flooring. While this method does have some similarities to the click-and-lock one, it’s a tad bit simpler.
The Most Challenging Installation
The most challenging method is likely to be the nail-based one. Unless you already own a pneumatic flooring nailer, a miter saw, and plenty of moisture-blocking underlayment, it might be best to go with the floating options.
Contractors and construction professionals may be able to complete a nail or glue installation without too much trouble. But residents could be in over their heads unless they choose to hire a professional flooring installation expert to help.
Primary Advantages of Cali Bamboo
Cali Bamboo may be a relatively young company, but they’re only green in one way. Goldberg and Haigwood brought their business and agricultural expertise into play when they founded Cali Bamboo, and it shows in the variety and quality of the products they offer.
Some of the most notable advantages of Cali Bamboo include:
- A half-century warranty on flooring and many other items
- Dozens of color, style, and finish options
- The ability to shop from a pool of unique flooring materials
- Other sustainable products are easy to find on-site
- Easy-to-install flooring and composite decking
However, that doesn’t mean that Cali Bamboo is without its potential disadvantages. Before you invest in new flooring, you’ll want to consider all the angles, including the downsides.
Potential Disadvantages of Cali Bamboo
Cali Bamboo does offer a nice variety of sustainable flooring options, installation tools, and construction supplies. But they don’t provide stone flooring, and many of their bamboo options can begin to take on water over time.
If you’re keen on purchasing some lovely Cali Bamboo flooring for your home, you’ll need to accept that you’re making an investment that requires upkeep. Cali Bamboo floors need to be maintained, cleaned, and kept dry. Otherwise, they could begin to warp and rot.
Conclusion
Cali Bamboo provides a wide variety of sustainable products and building supplies. They’re well-known for their flooring, as they offer high-quality bamboo, cork, eucalyptus, and vinyl options.
So while their bamboo planks may not be the best choice for a home in Georgia, their vinyl ones would likely remain waterproof and temperature resistant all year long. Consequently, it’s up to the buyer to make the smart choice for their climate.
Still, Cali Bamboo provides quality products and competitive pricing. The 50-year delamination warranty that comes with every residential purchase is rare, and it’s a surefire way to keep
