Smith & Fong Plyboo Flooring Review

Smith & Fong Plyboo Flooring Review

By Fortino Rosas / April 18, 2019 / 1 Comments

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    Do you love the look of hardwoods, but you’ve heard the stories about how easy they are to damage? More people are turning to bamboo flooring, which offers the same classic beauty of hardwoods with a more durable construction. If you’ve been considering adding bamboo flooring to your home, one of the brands that you may encounter in your search is Smith & Fong.

    In the 1990s, Smith & Fong launched its Plyboo brand of flooring. In fact, this was the first bamboo flooring launched in the United States. Since that time, Smith & Fong has released additional product lines, including bamboo strand flooring.

    As a pioneer of bamboo flooring, Smith & Fong Plyboo is one of the most well-known brands in the industry. However, several new and innovative brands have hit the market in recent years. Does Smith & Fong still have a superior product, or does it fall flat when compared to other brands?

    In this article, we’ll explore the benefits and drawbacks of Smith & Fong Plyboo. We’ll delve into pricing, available styles and colors, and customer reviews to help you determine if this is the right flooring for your home.

    Is Smith & Fong Plyboo Durable?

    One of the biggest selling points of bamboo flooring is that it’s far more durable than traditional hardwoods. Is this a true statement, or is it simply something pushed by manufacturers like Smith & Fong to sell their floors?

    Smith & Fong Plyboo flooring is extremely durable. Customers have reported being happy with the durability of the flooring years after installing it. Many customers state that Plyboo is much higher quality flooring than the bamboo you’d purchase in a local home improvement store.

    There have been few complaints surrounding Plyboo flooring. The manufacturer addressed complaints of splinters in the wood, buckling after installation, and other issues with the flooring, which are rare.

    All Smith & Fong Plyboo flooring products are backed with a 25-year warranty. Like other manufacturer warranties, this is a limited warranty that only covers defects. Improper installation, typical wear and tear, and other issues are not covered, but this is standard with all flooring warranties.

    Overall, customers have been happy with the durability of Plyboo. Product lines like Smith & Fong’s Stiletto line is five times harder than red oak, ensuring that you can get decades of use out of your flooring, even in high-traffic areas.

    However, it is important to note that bamboo isn’t completely impervious to scratches or other damage. Pet claws need to be short. It is important to use furniture coasters and leg protectors.

    You should never drag or move heavy furniture or appliances across your floors. You should also clean your floor daily to remove dirt and other debris that can cause small scratches over time.

    Of course, if your floors have damage over time, refinishing is always an option. You can hire a professional contractor to refinish your floors, or you can use the instructions available on Smith & Fong’s website or included with every product to restore the beauty of your flooring.

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    Is Smith & Fong Plyboo Affordable?

    If you’re like most budget-minded consumers, the price of your new flooring is likely top-of-mind when you’re shopping around. Is Smith & Fong Plyboo affordable when compared to similar bamboo flooring?

    On average, bamboo flooring costs about $5 to $7 per square foot. High-quality hardwood flooring can cost as much as $12 or more per square foot, so it’s easy to see that bamboo is a cost-effective alternative. However, it’s also important to note here that price may vary based on your region, the brand you select, and other factors.

    Smith & Fong Plyboo flooring lines are surprisingly affordable. Plyboo Edge Grain Bamboo Flooring starts at just $4.50 per square foot.

    Other lines including Stiletto Strand Bamboo, and Plyboo Flat Grain Bamboo start at just $5.99 per square foot, while the most expensive lines are the Performance Flooring and Underlayment System and the Sound Reduction Flooring and Underlayment System.

    When you compare it to the average cost of bamboo flooring, Plyboo actually costs on the lower end. This makes it a budget-friendly option for any consumer that wants flooring from a reputable manufacturer without breaking the bank.

    When calculating your costs, remember that this pricing average is only for the cost of materials. Additional materials, adhesives, tools, and the costs to hire a professional installer are not included in this price.

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    How Is This Flooring Installed?

    Most Smith & Fong Plyboo flooring is glue-down, meaning that it is adhered to the subfloor with adhesive, or nail-down, which means that it is nailed to the subfloor. The manufacturer recommends that Bostik adhesives are used during installation. The PlybooStrand line of flooring is glue-down only.

    Smith & Fong also has the Stiletto collection, which features the Click-Lock system. This is a floating floor system that does not require the use of glue or nails.

    If you choose to install the flooring yourself, Smith & Fong provides detailed instructions for each of its product lines. This includes information about prepping the subfloors, installing a vapor barrier to control moisture, and even additional instructions for cleaning and refinishing floors.

    These instructions help make it easier to install floors, but if you have no experience with flooring, know that the job can be quite difficult and time-consuming. Installing your bamboo floors also requires tools you may not have readily available, such as a miter saw or table saw.

    Because installing bamboo flooring takes skill, time, and the right tools for the job, many homeowners opt to have their floors installed by a professional. For the installation of your Plyboo flooring, expect to pay around $4 to $8 per square foot depending on where you live, the contractor you select, and the size and complexity of the job.

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    Does This Flooring Offer A Wide Selection Of Colors & Styles?

    Unless you plan on completely renovating your home and replacing your furnishings, you want to find flooring that complements the look of your home. You want to choose floors that flow with other flooring in your home, paint colors, home décor, and your own personal style. Does Smith & Fong Plyboo offer a good selection of colors and styles, or are you stuck with just a few options?

    There are actually many different colors and styles of Plyboo flooring to choose from. If you want a lighter look, go for the Brushed Pearl, Warm Stone, or Canvas floors. If you like dark and modern, check out Brushed Eclipse, Morocco, or Foundation Brown.

    Plyboo flooring is available in natural finishes including the aptly named Natural, Amber, and Brushed Amber. If you want a really unique flooring, they have that too – particularly its Neapolitan PlybooStrand flooring.

    No matter what style or color of flooring you want, you won’t be disappointed by Smith & Fong’s selection. From classic to stylish and everything in between, this brand offers something for everyone.

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    Is Smith & Fong Plyboo Easy To Clean?

    Hard floors can be difficult to clean. If you live a busy lifestyle, will Plyboo work for you or will you be stuck spending hours trying to clean it? You’re in luck because Plyboo is easy to clean and maintain.

    As noted earlier, you want to make sure that you clean your floors every day. This is because sand, dirt, and other particles can cause small scratches. You can easily clean up your floors on a daily basis using a broom, dust mop, or hardwood vacuum cleaner.

    If you use a vacuum cleaner, make sure that you use one that is specifically for use on hard floors. Using a vacuum with a beater bar that isn’t specifically for hard flooring can result in scratches and damage that your warranty does not cover.

    For deeper cleaning, Smith & Fong recommend using a cleaning product made for polyurethane-coated floors. Two brands that the manufacturer recommends are BonaKemi hardwood cleaners and Basic Coating’s Squeaky Cleaner.

    Like other bamboo and hardwood floors, you never want to saturate your floors. Water or excess moisture can lead to buckling, warping, and staining. So, make sure to always clean up spills promptly and use your cleaning product as directed without soaking your floors.

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    Final Verdict

    Since it was first introduced to the U.S. market, Smith & Fong has continued to release high-quality Plyboo flooring lines that are extremely durable and stylish. Consumers who have installed this flooring are happy overall with the looks and durability of this flooring, claiming that it is superior to other products on the market.

    Plyboo’s pricing, easy care and maintenance, and wide selection of styles and colors helps it stand out. One drawback is that it can become damaged over time. However, this is common with all bamboo floors.

    If you’re still on the fence about Smith & Fong Plyboo, you can request samples directly from the manufacturer to get an idea of the quality and beauty of this flooring before you make your investment. However, past consumer reviews show that the quality is unmatched and that Smith & Fong Plyboo is an investment worth making.

    Do you have Smith & Fong Plyboo in your home? How does it perform? Let us know in the comments.

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    About Fortino Rosas

    Chief Floor Critic, 32 years of experience in flooring installation and sales

    Fortino Rosas is an independent flooring contractor with 32 years of experience in residential and commercial flooring installation and sales. He joined the Floor Critics team to share his expertise with our readers. Fortino has acquired vast knowledge and skills in the areas of product selection, space planning, and installation. He has installed flooring in residential, government, and commercial office projects in the Midwest. Visit Website.

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    1 thought on “Smith & Fong Plyboo Flooring Review”

    1. Thank you for the article. We were able to purchase 620 sq ft of the Stiletto Plyboo flooring at $2.50/sq ft at a local Habitat for Humanity and now we see what a great deal we have.

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