"Still, wouldn't trust it against heavy furniture without felt pads...learned that the hard way myself."
That's a good point—felt pads are definitely underrated. I've also found cork flooring to be surprisingly resilient when finished properly, but heavy furniture can indeed leave permanent indentations if you're not careful. One thing I've been wondering about lately is how cork holds up near entryways or high-traffic areas. My experience has mostly been in bedrooms and living spaces, so I'm curious if anyone's tried it right by the front door or kitchen area. Does the polyurethane finish hold up well enough against dirt, moisture, and constant foot traffic, or would you recommend a different flooring type entirely for those spots?
I've had cork flooring near my kitchen for about three years now, and honestly, it's held up better than I expected. The poly finish does a decent job, but water spills can still be tricky if you don't wipe them up right away. Wonder if anyone's tried bamboo in entryways instead...?
I've actually had bamboo flooring in my entryway for about five years now, and it's been surprisingly resilient. Here's what I've noticed: it handles moisture better than cork, especially if you get the strand-woven type. But you still gotta be careful—wet shoes or boots left sitting can cause discoloration over time. A quick wipe-down usually does the trick, though. Plus, bamboo has a nice warm look that fits well with older homes like mine...definitely worth considering if you're thinking of switching things up.
I put bamboo flooring in a flip project about three years ago, and I agree it holds up pretty well. But you're right about the moisture—it's not bulletproof. Had a buyer call me back after a year because they left snowy boots sitting there overnight regularly, and sure enough, there was some discoloration. Nothing terrible, but noticeable enough that they weren't thrilled.
One thing I've learned is that if you're using bamboo (or even hardwood) in an entryway, it's worth investing in a good quality waterproof mat or boot tray. It doesn't have to be huge or ugly—there are some decent-looking ones out there now. It saves you from the hassle of constant wiping down, especially in winter months or rainy seasons.
Personally, I've also had good luck with engineered hardwood in entryways. It's pricier than bamboo, but it can handle moisture pretty well without discoloring as quickly. Bamboo does have that nice warm look though, especially if you're matching it to an older home's aesthetic. Strand-woven bamboo is definitely the way to go if you're set on bamboo flooring—it's tougher and more resistant overall.
Funny side note: once had a tenant who locked herself out and decided to climb through a window...right onto freshly refinished bamboo floors. Left muddy footprints everywhere. Took some elbow grease to clean up, but thankfully no lasting damage. Moral of the story: always have a spare key hidden somewhere safe outside!
I've been there with the locked-out drama...not fun. After a similar incident, I installed one of those combination lockboxes outside. They're pretty discreet now, and you can tuck them behind a shrub or near the back porch steps. Just make sure it's not super obvious from the street.
Also, about the bamboo floors—agree they're beautiful but moisture-sensitive. If you're dealing with an older historic home (like mine), you might consider a tiled entryway or vestibule area. It doesn't have to clash with your home's style; there are plenty of vintage-inspired tiles that blend seamlessly. I put in hexagonal mosaic tiles at my front door, and it saved me from stressing about wet boots or muddy paws. Plus, it complements the original wood floors nicely.
Anyway, just a thought if you're tired of worrying about moisture damage or surprise footprints...
