I purchased Trillium Engineered bamboo hardwood flooring from Home Depot in October 2010. I let the hardwood sit in the house until the spring of 2011 to climatize it to my home and then installed. The flooring is now all splitting! (this is the clic flooring so there is no nailng involved). I did my complete 1500 square foot bungalow less kitchen and bathrooms. When I spoke with the management at the store where it was purchased, they wanted to know what the humidity is in my home as they want to in my opinion point the finger at us and say it is an installation issue. My stand is the Home Depot store in Winnipeg (on the Prairies) sold it to me in Winnipeg so my home's humidity level is typical for someone living here. (not on the west coast or the east coast). I have 2 separate humidty meters and it indicates the humidity level in my house is typically 40%.
My understanding is Manitoba has very strict laws that say the onus is on the store to make it right with the buyer. I am in the process of resolving this with Home Depot and the first step is having an independent floor inspector come out. This is happening this week.
Anyone else with problems? I am now hearing that many flooring stores won't sell bamboo hardwood flooring here because of splitting issues!

Yes, this is a common occurance with lots of hardwood floor. Your rh seems to be in the perfect zone though. So, the inspector is going to come in with his thermohygrometer and you better make sure that rh is up there and not even borderline. I do these inspections as well.

Like you mentioned, if they sell it there, then they should accept your zones rh.

Also, you can ask, how was the wood stored in the HD? Check the stores rh and there you have some ammunition. Except for the fact the wood might have been wrapped in celophane in the box. This keeps the MC of the wood in check while in storage. If not wrapped in protective plastic then I would ask what the difference is in them storing it or you putting it in your house under similar conditions.

Either way expect a fight on your hands. Run down to a store and buy a small humidifier, it looks good on the report. Don't give the inspector the reciept so he can check the date.

Other than that, all I can tell you is exotics do split and check and finish check more than others. Was there anything written on the box or in the installation requirements as to the ambient rh and temp?

I just did an inspection on a very common solid 2 1/4 x 5/16 x random red oak fastened down on ply. No checking, no splitting, no finish checking, just some small gaps between the strips because the rh was only 19%. So you see the difference?

Hi Stephen
Thanks for taking the time to reply.
I did run down and buy 2 humidity meters. I am well within the recommendations as I expected. I have lots of wood furniture and one is exotic wood and not an issue. You did raise a good point about inquiring how the flooring was stored!
I do expect a fight and i have pointed out to the store manager i have spent probably at least $25,000.00 at his store in the last year. He knows I am prepared to take him to court if he doesn't replace this flooring.

Thanks again.

Cindy

Good luck Cindy. You can email PM me if you have questions.

Thanks Stephen.
Well the inspector was here. Put his meter on the floor and confirmed the humidity level is where it should be.
He looked to see if there were the spaces between the walls and flooring that there should have been by the installers....there was.

He seemed to indicate that it looked like everything was done properly and that it is the product. He even asked for a sample and I was able to give him one from the leftover flooring and low and behold it was split too! (i hadn't noticed that).

He said it will take about a week for the store to get back to me. His report goes to Toronto and Toronto to the store. (I am on the Prairies in Winnipeg). He told me if i didn't hear back from them in a week, to call them every day.

I am really hoping that there is a positive outcome to this, because I am prepared to take it to court to resolve this. Like i said I have done the entire main floor including the bedrooms and as i made sure the flooring was nice and clean, i noticed the splitting is throughout the entire house. Some is starting to become an issue and we are getting are socks caught. So unhappy right now.

I too bought this product and have been extremely disappointed. There is a pasty finish that just won't stay clean or smudge free. The floor scratches badly, even with no pets, and no shoes, and all furniture has pads. I want to warn everyone about Trillium flooring. Don't buy it!!

Fern,I also have this product and am having the same problems.The installer/supplier said that there must be a wax on the bamboo so he came over and wiped down the floor with mineral spirits which did nothing but smell up my house.The floor scratches so easily and is separating badly.They sent the installer out to close all the gaps with a special tool and it took him all day plus he poked a hole in my wall the AH.This product is junk and should go in the fire pit.Anyone considering this product BEWARE.