Green Shoots Blog
Real wood on stone composite backing creates new realm of hardwood flooring
SAN DIEGO, CA January 15, 2018 – Cali announced today the launch of GeoWood™, a revolutionary engineered hardwood layering real timber over a waterproof core called GeoCore™ — Cali’s stabilizing limestone composite foundation. This technological breakthrough yields rock solid hardwood flooring with exceptional water resistance, and comes at a lower price point than solid wood planks.
The full GeoWood collection will include real oak, hickory, maple, walnut, and bamboo. Flooring will be available for purchase in Spring 2018.
Nothing Beats Real Wood
Perfect for new homebuyers or those looking to redesign on a budget, Cali GeoWood puts real hardwood floors within reach. Its easy DIY installation and upkeep saves additional money throughout the entire life of the floor. The beauty layer atop each plank is up to 1.2mm thick and features sustainably farmed woods and lumber from Lacey Act Compliant managed forests. All flooring is Ultra Low VOC and employs adhesives that fall well below E0 emissions standards.
The Secret is GeoCore
Like the foundation of a building, a floor is only as strong as its core. This proprietary limestone composite fortifies each GeoWood plank and resists indentation from high heels, pet claws, and furniture. Its composition translates to 50% better dimensional stability, meaning less expansion and contraction, and as little as 24 hours of acclimation required before laying down planks.
The Water-Resistant Wood Floor
Waterproof core technology ensures diehard moisture protection, making GeoWood perfect for bathrooms, kitchens, and below-grade spaces like basements. Superior water resistance also makes planks more resilient and easier to clean.
Made to Withstand it All
Shielded by a 7-coat water-based aluminum oxide finish, GeoWood oak planks are protected from real life. Flooring is backed by a 50-year residential warranty and a 15-year light commercial warranty — double the industry standard. A 2mm thick built-in antibacterial IXPE pad lines the bottom of each oak plank, improving sound insulation.
The Easiest DIY Hardwood Installation
Lightweight, easy-to-cut planks with a precise click-lock milling system make GeoWood installations close to effortless. Flooring can be floated or glued down over any type of even subfloor and pairs perfectly with Cali Complete All-in-One Underlayment. Better dimensional stability also means acclimation can be cut down to just 1-2 days so projects start and end faster.
ABOUT CALI BAMBOO®
Headquartered in San Diego, California, Cali Bamboo is a rapidly growing, omni-channel flooring and decking home improvement platform delivering best-in-class products and an authentic brand experience to customers seeking high-quality, sustainable and primarily remodel-driven flooring that is beautiful, durable and affordable. The company offers an expanding range of highly-engineered, eco-friendly products including: bamboo, eucalyptus, luxury vinyl, and engineered flooring, composite decking, fencing, plywood, and other products. Unique among flooring suppliers, Cali leverages the power of an efficient, internet-driven Direct-to-Consumer model to build brand and product awareness amongst an increasingly on-line savvy remodeling consumer universe. Founded in 2004 and recognized as an Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Company for nine consecutive years, Cali Bamboo models how individuals, businesses, and communities can implement modern design along with structural strength and environmental integrity. Products are available directly from Cali Bamboo or through Lowe’s and top building materials dealers across the country.
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What are some reasons why would someone select vinyl instead of geowood?
Since there’s a thin layer of wood on top, will the the top layers get ruined in a laundry room, bathroom, other wet areas?
Hi Rhoda,
You’re correct, the top wood layer is not considered waterproof so you’ll want to remove standing water on the floor. Everything below the top is waterproof so structurally it shouldn’t warp, cup or expand like solid or engineered flooring might.
We are in the process of installing Geowood on our concrete basement floor- there had been vinyl wood plank flooring before it that didn’t seem to have any leveling issues when walking on it so we assumed we’d be fine not re-leveling the concrete. But we are using the green interlocking underlayment first and have about 5 rows down, and it appears that the planks have a little bit of “give” and you can kind of hear a faint creaking/crunching noise when walking. The underlayment itself has a bit of a crinkly texture- could that be what we’re hearing/feeling? Has anyone else brought this up and does it usually settle awhile after being laid?
Hi Jamie,
This is the first I’m hearing of such an occurrence. Fairly sure it will be unnoticeable once the installation is complete.
Thinking about using Geowood in the bathroom and was wondering what I should do around the toilet
Most people floor under the toilet so they don’t have to do a tricky curved cut around the base, just a square hole for the drain.
Hi, we had our order of bamboo Geowood in Copperstone delivered last week (it looks great!), and we are in the final preparations before installing it next week. In looking through the instructions, we couldn’t find much about cutting the boards. We wondered what is the recommended method of cutting the Geowood? Is there a specific saw blade and/or tool we should use? We would appreciate any info. We also have an order of Engineered Bamboo in Antique Java and purchased 10″ 80-teeth carbide saw blades for our miter and table saw for that product. Would we use the same for the Geowood? Thanks!
Hi Leslie,
Yes, use the same saw for both flooring types. Best of luck, and take lots of pictures! We want to see how they turn out!
Are there matching trims and transitions available for this product?
Hi Sarah,
We prefer to call them ‘color coordinated’ as the flooring does have a fair amount of variation and we try to make the trim match the most common plank color. Short answer is yes. We offer 5 pieces; T-Moldings, Thresholds, Quarter Rounds, Stair Nosing and Reducers 🙂 Here’s a link to see pictures of all the GeoWood Trim Pieces
How can I get a price list and does it have to be ordered direct? How about color samples?
Hi Jerry,
I’ve forwarded your request to one of our Green Building Experts, they will be emailing you shortly.
There are 3 ways to order product, direct from us, through your contractor or installer or at your local Lowe’s Home Improvement. We’re happy to put some free samples in the mail to you or you can purchase free samples on the website using promocode FREESAMPLE at checkout.
Best,
Walker
Assume that GeoWood cannot be sanded? Is this correct?
Correct, it’s a very thin layer of wood.
The bamboo GeoWood looks exactly like bamboo AquaGuard. I live in Arizona and have had three installers tell me they will not install AquaGuard bamboo because the planks were already bowing up in dry Arizona. I can’t even click most panels together now.
Does the GeoWood product have the same issues with low humidity areas?
Hi Wes,
I’m looking for information about the Aquaguard product, but I can’t find out what their composite core consists of. Other than that they look very similar with regard to dimensions, and physical properties. Another unknown are the glues used and under what conditions their flooring is being packaged and stored at. Arizona is very dry, and you’re smart to do these shrinkage tests. Of course, I’d like to tell you Geowood will be fine, but I’m not completely confident with that statement. How about I send you several planks and you can report back to us the results? Please email me directly your mailing address and I’ll get them shipped off to you.
Hi Walker –
I am in the same boat as Wes. Do we have a result as to the condition in the Arizona dry climate? I also attempted AquaGuard and they were so bowed that they couldn’t even lock in place. Could you also send me plank samples? I’ve been considering the Tawny Oak GeoWood but am just as nervous as Wes. Thanks in advance.
Hi Charbel,
Since GeoWood has such a thin wood veneer, it performs more like vinyl plank flooring to extreme or extreme lack of humidity. Give us a call at 1(888)788-2254 and we can certainly send out some samples for you to test.
Hi Wes, did you purchase and how is it holding up in Arizona?
Hello Walter,
We are having a home built + an apartment over the garage.
I am looking for 6-8″ light colored boards, and also 6-8″ darker colored boards.
Also, I’m thinking Geo Wood.
Any suggestions?
Thanks,
Marquita
Hi Marquita,
Are you going to mix the light and dark? If so you’ll want to confirm with your sales rep that the milling for the two colors are compatible. The GeoWood colors all have matching milling so they can be mixed together, but we have two different lines of vinyl, for example, that have different click systems that will not lock together. All of the solid T&G floors should work with each other and the Engineered line will work with each other as well. Some of the solid click-lock floors however may not work together. If you like floors with high color variation, check out our Nantucket Harbor and Mesquite vinyl floors, otherwise mixing a light and dark floor together can achieve even bolder results. Check out this mixture of Natural and Mocha Eucalyptus.
Best,
I am looking at remodel on flooring in very small home of 1000ft. The home is on a cement slab and has the wood leveling plywood on top of cement? (I am female , not sure of the proper carpenter term !) Can cali geo wood be used. I hate lamented flooring. I live in northern part of Oregon and / or is there another wood type flooring be better. I am looking at remodeling in a couple of years and area is approximately 20 by 20 area , I am thinking lighter colored wood would make space appear larger and any advice would be much appreciated.
Hi Vicky,
GeoWood is an excellent choice and can be laid right on top of your plywood subfloor. I’d recommend floating it and you can choose to add an underlayment if you want to add a little comfort to the floor. GeoWood is DIY friendly and requires just a few common tools to install. Whenever you’re ready to talk, we have a wonderful team of Green Building Experts on staff that can walk you thru the whole process and answer any questions you may have along the way. I wish you luck in your flooring adventure and hope to hear from you soon!
Best,
Hi I am building a tiny house and I have to be concerned with weight. How heavy are these compared to traditional hardwood or tile? I also want to put radiant heat under your geowood tiles, are they designed for that? I am a little worried about the aluminum oxide, is it only toxic when dry and dusty and therefor not toxic when applied as a finish in this case? Oh, and I really want to see some other color options. Should I wait, I probably won’t be flooring until August 2018.
Hi Kelly,
GeoWood is heavy, heavier than hardwood. If you want the look of wood, durability and light weight I’d look at our Cali Vinyl Plus or our Cork Flooring. Both are ultra-low VOC and well suited for a tiny home.
OK, it is May. Looking seriously at Geowood. When will the new hardwoods be out? Have a sample in the Amber on its way.
Susan
Hi Susan,
There’s been a delay with the hardwood GeoWood colors, we’re now looking at a July release, I’ll keep you posted on any details I can confirm.
Can the Cali Vinyl Pro withstand variable temps in an unheated (winter) cabin in Northern Wisconsin? Would cracking be an issue until cabin is heated? Seems like an ideal product in this instance if it can perform under these variable temps.
Hi Joe,
Vinyl Pro will be fine in freezing temperatures as long as you aren’t walking on it. If you are coming back to the cabin after it has been unoccupied, and the inside temp is below freezing, you run the risk of cracking the flooring if you walk on it. Until the internal temperature can be brought up above freezing, try not to walk on it too much.
hi – can you tell me when the rest of the geowoods will be out? are any of the new ones light? we’re looking at the unfinished natural bamboo. is there anything in that color in the geo?
Hi Jerri,
Aged Amber is the lightest color we currently offer. We’ll be releasing 6 additional colors this summer and I’m sure there’s a light color in the works. What drew you to GeoWood? Do you have moisture concerns or just love the look?
Walker
Is the PVC base a 100% virgin PVC product?
Yes.
So all the colors will be out in April 2018? Will there be samples available?
Hi Camille,
The bamboo series colors and samples are available on the website here, and the hardwood series will debut closer to May.
What glue should I use on Geowood in the click lock channel if I have to trim off the click edge to slide planks together in a doorway under the framing where it can’t be tilted up to click them together?
Hi Wayne,
Doorways can get a little tricky and usually involve a bit of brute force and some sort of cover-up, at least mine did 🙂 . You typically wouldn’t use glue with click-lock flooring. Maybe try taking a step back and think about another way to get it to do what you want, sometimes the first idea you have can get in the way of a better way. Can you slide the row down a bit and slide it back? Pull bars can help get the flooring to click in tight spaces.
Walker
I’m in the process of building my home, this looks very interesting. I have an open concept and would like to do the entire first floor in the same material. What type of price are we looking at for this? Also, my house will be on a slab foundation and want to know if this will fell cold in a similar way that tile does?
I believe it’s around $3.99/sqft. As far as temperature goes, since it’s a stone/hardwood hybrid floor, it would sit in between tile and solid hardwood. Warmer than tile, but a bit cooler than solid hardwood.
HI, I just received some of your great samples. I love them. Got back on your site to look at some other wood options (I like the natural fossilized ). We are doing a complete remodel of our home in South Lake Tahoe. I’m thinking that the Geo wood looks like it might be a great choice because of its water resistancy and strength. When will samples/colors be available to see? It is a two story small house. Approx 1000 sq ft. . Would we be able to have our stairs covered with this wood as well?
Hi Annette,
The GeoWood is a fantastic product for places that get extreme fluctuations in temperature and humidity like Lake Tahoe. We just released the bamboo line and we’re preparing to launch our first hardwood line in May. I see you’ve spoken with Matt, looks like he put some samples in the mail and they should be arriving Wednesday the 28th.
With my open floor plan, I very interested in this product that would let me have a wood floor. When will it be available? Have you done any long term testing of the product? ( I will volunteer my house for a test installation!)
Hi Melissa,
Also called “rigid core”, it’s been used for a few years with vinyl imaging but now manufacturers have started using an ultra-thin layer of hardwood veneer. It’s quite incredible and almost completely waterproof. We’ve had pieces of it in a bucket of water for several weeks and it looks exactly the same. GeoWood™ will be rolled out in two phases the first colors will debut in early April and will actually be several of our most popular Fossilized® Bamboo floor colors. Shortly after that, we will release several trendy traditional hardwood colors. I’ve seen some of them and they are stunning! As for being our guinea pig, I’m sure our Marketing department would love to come over with their lab coats and take some very scientific readings and write them down on clip boards. Stay in touch Melissa, we may have a mission for you 🙂