After more than 19 years of selling bamboo, we've learned many lessons about what bamboo products work best over time. Here's how to distinguish between high-quality, long-lasting, sustainable bamboo companies and the greenwashed imitations that are likely to warp, cup, crack or emit hazardous fumes into your home.

There are six key features to look for in quality bamboo flooring.

Bamboo is a reliable flooring product, but only if it's well made by an experienced manufacturer who uses quality stalks, adhesives and milling equipment.

The bamboo flooring market has been flooded in recent years with poorly manufactured material. Here's what to look for in order to locate quality bamboo flooring:

Q: I'd like to put in hardwood floors and I'm considering bamboo. What do I need to consider? I don't want faux wood, and I read that some bamboo is treated with formaldehyde.
— Asked by Murkey, Alexandria, VA

A: Although Google provides comparative pricing, product descriptions and basic specifications, most websites don’t tell us what is best for our specific needs. We always have to sort out one product from another and make the best choice we can with the information we’ve found. That assumes we know the right questions to ask. This article is all about the right questions to ask.

This article explores questions frequently asked about underlayment and provides links to the underlayment products we recommend.

Teragren manufactures high-quality traditional and strand bamboo flooring, panels, veneer and countertops/table tops.

Unlike importers, we control quality from harvest to distribution in order to maintain industry-leading product, business and environmental standards.

Q: We have a radiant floor in our kitchen that now has a linoleum flooring. Will a bamboo floor work over the radiant heating system?
—Asked by Polly D, Concord, NH

A: The short answer is that radiant heat works well underneath certain types of linoleum, ceramic tile, stone, hardwood, bamboo, cork or carpeting as long as the floor temperature is not too high, the flooring is designed for radiant heat and is acclimated properly before installation.

Most flooring manufacturers require certain conditions prior to, during and after installation of their floors for their warranty to be valid over radiant heat. Now for the long answer.

Q: Is bamboo flooring safer than hardwood for a desert environment? Dry and hot. I want something very durable.
—Asked by Rche, Sahuarita, AZ

A: You have asked two important questions about durability and safety in bamboo vs. hardwood.

10 rules for getting the most out of your relationship

Finding the right contractor can be daunting, like finding a doctor or lawyer or other professional you can trust with your life or your most valuable assets. When you hire a contractor, your money, home and health may all be at stake, so it is important to learn how to find someone you can trust.