Getting to Know Cali Bamboo
Cali Bamboo was founded in 2004 by surfing enthusiasts Jeff Goldberg and Tanner Haigwood during a soul-searching trip in Hawaii. After learning about bamboo‘s strength and renewability as a building material, they envisioned creating an eco-friendly flooring company true to their roots in California.
Nearly 20 years later, Cali Bamboo has blossomed into a leader in sustainable flooring with over 38,000 Facebook followers and recognition from news outlets like Globe Newswire. The brand offers bamboo flooring along with alternative green materials like cork, eucalyptus, vinyl and engineered hardwood. Their products grace homes, businesses and commercial spaces across America.
But how does Cali Bamboo stack up against competitors? Does their flooring stand the test of time? I investigate in this comprehensive brand review.
Cali Bamboo Flooring: Pros and Cons
Cali Bamboo touts their flooring as sustainable and durable, but let‘s analyze the pros and cons to get the full picture:
Pros
Sustainable Materials: As a bamboo company at heart, Cali Bamboo utilizes green, renewable building materials like bamboo, cork and eucalyptus. Their bamboo flooring earns LEED points for sustainability.
Strength & Durability: Cali Bamboo manufactures their flooring using a patented cold-press lamination process that increases density and hardness. Their bamboo flooring withstands over 3000 psi compared to traditional 2500 psi for hardwoods.
Moisture-Resistant: Cali Bamboo coats their floorboards with aluminum oxide for enhanced protection against moisture and spills. This makes their flooring suitable even for humid, damp spaces.
Affordable Pricing: Despite competitive durability, Cali Bamboo flooring costs 20-50% less than exotic hardwood flooring, especially for larger projects. Their economies of scale allow savings.
Cons
Availability: Although Cali Bamboo has major online retailers like Home Depot and regional showrooms, limited store availability remains a weakness compared to brands like Mohawk with networks spanning America. Customers in remote areas may struggle sourcing products.
Look & Feel: Some customers express disappointment over the look and feel of Cali Bamboo floors versus real hardwoods. While attractive, subtle differences exist in how light reflects off their engineered bamboo material.
Chemical Sensitivity: Rare accounts exist of customers having mild skin/eye irritation or breathing issues after Cali Bamboo floor installation, likely due to residual formaldehyde or VOC traces after shipping. Proper ventilation alleviates this.
Overall Cali Bamboo flooring provides a compelling combination of sustainability, durability and affordability. While some alternatives like Mohawk offer greater product breadth and availability, Cali Bamboo remains reasonably competitive for most homeowners’ needs.
Top 5 Best Selling Cali Bamboo Floors
Now that we’ve weighed the pros and cons, let’s examine Cali Bamboo’s 5 top selling floors:
1. Cali Vinyl Pro Designer Series
The Waterstone Oak vinyl plank flooring mimics premium hardwood with rippled grain patterns but with superior dent, scratch and stain resistance. Its 100% waterproof core can even handle pooling water. A 20 mil wear layer ensures heavy foot traffic doesn’t dull the lively tone and texture. Outstanding choice for kitchens and mudrooms.
Rating: 4.7 / 5 (Cali Bamboo)
2. TruOrganics Composite Decking
This Sedona-colored composite decking made purely from recycled materials provides the natural look of wood minus the maintenance. Its cedar grain never needs staining, sealing or painting upkeep. A hidden fastener system enables smooth installation over joists while resisting insects, mold and moisture damage. Ideal for poolside decks and outdoor kitchens.
Rating: 4.7 / 5 (Cali Bamboo)
3. Solid Wide T&G Bamboo Flooring
For those desiring traditional bamboo‘s amber tones, the Solid Wide T&G packs durability into planks exceeding 3/4" thickness able to handle pet claws. Its extra-wide 7 1/2” planks reveal intriguing bamboo nodes for a relaxed aesthetic. Homeowners praise its stability and value holding up beautifully even after years of rambunctious kids and furniture rearrangements.
Rating: 4.7 / 5 (Home Depot)
4. Fossilized Bamboo Flooring
Fossilized bamboo adds exciting visual intrigue reminiscent of marble or quartz with flowing dark carbon veining. Yet its tougher than stone and quieter underfoot than ceramic tile. Water-based finishes allow indoor air quality exceeding CARB2 standards. While pricier than basic bamboo, it delivers stunning aesthetics certain to draw compliments from guests.
Rating: 4.7 / 5 (Cali Bamboo)
5. Napa Night Power Loomed Polypropylene Rug
Available in round, rectangle and runner formats up to 9 x 12 ft., the medium pile Napa Night rugs infuse understated sophistication with their silvery backdrop and smoky abstract motif. Stain-resistant and beyond durable, they withstand kids, pets and accidents without showing wear. Light enough for rearrangement or travel yet substantial feeling underfoot even over tile or wood.
Rating: 5 / 5 (Cali Bamboo)
As we can see Cali Bamboo offers outstanding options spanning sustainable flooring, composite decking and rugs to suit nearly any room. Next I‘ll summarize the materials behind their products.
Cali Bamboo Flooring Materials
True to their name, Cali Bamboo manufactures much of their flooring and decking from bamboo, a fast-growing giant grass often reaching maturity in 3-5 years (vs. 50+ years for hardwoods). Common products include:
Bamboo: Strand woven for maximum hardness to rival even select exotic hardwoods in strength. Amber-toned for a natural look.
Eucalyptus: Made from plantation-grown eucalyptus trees, not old-growth forests. Tones range from light beech to darker walnut.
Cork: Eco-friendly cork oak offers natural sound and temperature insulation qualities. Its flexibility and give make it extremely comfortable underfoot.
Vinyl: Stone polymer composite (SPC) cores wrapped in decorative films result in scratchproof, waterproof flooring resembling wood or tile.
Engineered Hardwood: Top veneers of oak, acacia or European white oak fuse stability of plywood cores for strong yet eco-friendly wood flooring.
Beyond floors, Cali Bamboo also offers composite decking, rugs and fencing. Next I’ll highlight must-know features before buying.
Key Cali Bamboo Flooring Features
Easy Installation: Most Cali Bamboo floors utilize interlocking systems, not glue or nails, for DIY-friendly floating installation. Videos walk homeowners through the process.
Durability: Rigorous Janka scale testing proves Cali Bamboo floors over 3X harder than red oak. Highly scratch, stain and moisture resistant.
Quality: Cali Bamboo meticulously mills precise tongue-and-groove connections with no gaps or showable defects for precision fit.
Warranties: Industry-leading 50-year residential / 15-year commercial warranties guarantee against wear and manufacturing defects. Significantly longer than competitors.
Styles: Choose from over 300 flooring styles and colors spanning solid bamboo reeds to distressed engineered planks to striking stranded patterns.
Radiant Heat Compatibility: Nearly all Cali Bamboo floors integrate seamlessly over radiant floor heating systems up to 85°F.
How To Choose Cali Bamboo Flooring by Room
The perfect floor depends heavily on its intended room. As you shop Cali Bamboo floors, keep these room-by-room tips in mind:
Kitchen: Waterproof vinyl plank or luxury vinyl tile handle spills/messes best while providing cushioning for extended prep. Bamboo suits smaller kitchens well.
Bathroom: Waterproof vinyl, porcelain tile-look vinyl or eucalyptus tolerate steam, splashes and humidity excellently. Cork works as a natural non-slip surface.
Bedroom: Stranded bamboo, solid planks and engineered hardwood establish peaceful, cozy atmospheres perfect for sleep and romance. Choose warmer hues.
Living & Dining Rooms: Wide-width planks, distressed hardwoods and exciting foosilized bamboo help energize gathering spaces with visual appeal and acoustic properties.
Basements & Laundry Rooms: Luxury vinyl tile stands up admirably to messy kids, pets, exercise equipment and appliances with unbeatable waterproofing and scratchproofing durability.
Entryways & Halls: Durable stranded bamboo in leathered-bronze tones disguises months of shoe scuffing between cleanings while providing sound dampening and an inviting welcome.
Pro tip: Always leave 1/4” expansion gaps between floor perimeter/fixed objects and use transitions between rooms.
Cali Bamboo Pairings for Cohesive Style
Achieving home design nirvana requires thoughtfully blending flooring choices across rooms to create cohesive style built on intentional pairings. For example:
Modern Minimalism: Combine wide-plank Oakridge oak vinyl plank floors with matching New Haven oak-look porcelain tile vinyl in baths. Echo lighter Cabinetry Lane cabinetry.
Bohemian Chic: Mix weathered acacia hardwoods with Tobacco Road luxury vinyl plank flooring. Soften with Sedona composite decking outdoors. Infuse fire-glazed tiles, rattan furniture and floral motifs throughout for global elegance.
Rustic Lodge: Allow Fossilized Kona bamboo to span main living spaces while contrasting with Chestnut Hollow oak hardwood accents. Sedona composite decking carries over organic tones outside. Incorporate burlap, leather, antlers and stone fireplaces for harmonious style.
Layering flooring looks creates holistic style palettes allowing personalized spaces reflecting joyful self-expression.
Who Is Cali Bamboo Flooring Best Suited For?
If caring about environmental impact motivates you, Cali Bamboo sets themselves apart as a B-Corporation committed to ethical transparency and sustainability practices few flooring brands match. Support an eco-leader.
Value-focused homeowners, landlords and contractors will appreciate Cali Bamboo’s reasonable pricing for quality nearing exotic hardwoods costing exponentially more. Their economies of scale pass significant savings to customers.
Nearly all homeowners needing durable, pet-friendly flooring resistant to scratches, stains and dents will find stellar options protecting their investments for decades in Cali Bamboo’s lineup.
Style mavens will delight discovering Cali Bamboo‘s hundreds of colors and patterns spanning chic grey washed oak planks to knockout Fossilized weaves resembling natural stone and quartz but easier to walk on.
Indeed Cali Bamboo covers a wide spectrum of flooring customers. Now let’s consider a few alternative brands.
Top Cali Bamboo Flooring Alternatives
For those seeking alternatives, a few top competing brands also offering quality sustainable flooring include:
Mohawk Flooring
As America’s largest flooring manufacturer, Mohawk occupies over 20 U.S. manufacturing plants delivering leading innovation in luxury vinyl tile, waterproof wood floors and EverStrand woven carpeting containing recycled plastic bottles. They hold an exemplary reputation for quality and environmental awareness.
Armstrong Flooring
The legendary Armstrong enters its 150th year crafting fine floors in America. Their Ultima and Natural Creations linesRAIN incarpet, vinyl plank, laminate and tile conveying health-conscious indoor air quality and renewable/recycled material usage weaved throughout gorgeous designs.
Ambient Bamboo Flooring
For those prioritizing ultra-premium bamboo flooring, Ambient proves exceptional with flooring options meeting strict European standards for low VOC emissions and featuring tactile hand-scraping unmatched by competitors. Expect superior finish durability and visual character but with an elevated price point.
What Do Customers Say About Cali Bamboo?
Overall Cali Bamboo garners outstanding reviews across multiple channels:
- 4.7 out of 5 stars across 2,100+ Cali Bamboo site reviews
- 4.7 out of 5 stars averaged across 89 Home Depot customer ratings
- A+ Better Business Bureau rating based on 215+ reviews
The above 4.7 out of 5 star rating Cali Bamboo earns equals industry-leading recognition rivaling only the best reviewers brands. What do actual customers praise?
Durability proves a common theme with reviews affirming Cali Bamboo flooring surviving rambunctious pets and kids for 3-5+ years without scratches or dents. Shoppers call it "absolutely waterproof and scratch-proof” retaining its new sheen after considerable abuse.
Numerous homeowners comment their Cali Bamboo flooring continues looking fabulous even after large gatherings, hectic holiday seasons and other heavy foot traffic proving its mettle against wear better than expected.
Another prevalent compliment references Cali Bamboo’s tremendous customer service going "above and beyond” to quickly handle any post-purchase concerns to buyers’ happiness. Their helpfulness and expertise receives applause matching their quality manufacturing.
Where Can I Buy Cali Bamboo Flooring?
Consumers can buy directly from CaliFloors.com with quotes available for most products. Browse their handy sorting tools like the Room Viewer to preview floors by room type. Those nearby retail showrooms in Anaheim, Irvine and Rancho Cucamonga offer hands-on shopping.
Or shop effortlessly online via Wayfair and Build.com with discounts and fast shipping. Check stock availability at Home Depot locations for immediate pickup. Local specialty flooring stores may carry inventory especially out West.
Is Cali Bamboo Flooring Worth It?
For homeowners wanting flooring matching exceptional quality yet costing far less than exotic hardwoods, Cali Bamboo undoubtedly delivers immense value directly benefitting your bottom line. Their ample positive customer reviews spanning many years testify outstanding durability meeting reasonable affordability. Ultimately, align purchase decisions with personal budget and style priorities. But for eco-friendly quarters withstanding busy families, Cali Bamboo sells peace of mind.
Cali Bamboo Discounts & Promotions
Cali Bamboo runs regular sales knocking 10-20% off models like Cali Vinyl Pro oak planks and Fossilized strand woven floors. Or enjoy:
- 10% military discount all year
- Special 12 Days of Holiday Savings
- Flooring quotes include 1 free box of samples
- Call sales for unpublished promo codes
Free shipping applies automatically for rugs and qualifying flooring purchases above $50 while budget under $1000 benefit from discounted economy shipping rates.
For the latest Cali Bamboo coupons and deals, check their Specials page or sign up for their newsletter delivering exclusive subscriber-only offers.
Bottom Line
Searching for sustainable flooring blending designer looks with uncompromising durability? Cali Bamboo floors belong on your shortlist. With outstanding customer satisfaction ratings and reviews attesting superior quality holding up beautifully over time, both your home and the planet win with this esteemed brand.
