Installing Bamboo Flooring
From Floor Coverings
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How to install Bamboo Flooring
Do I need to acclimate my bamboo floor?
Bamboo is becoming a very popular choice for homeowners wishing to give their floors an exotic, warm and inviting appearance. Careful installation is a critical issue in achieving this goal and this will involve a few different factors. The first factor is one that should have been considered before the bamboo flooring purchase was ever made. That is the consideration of whether or not bamboo flooring is appropriate for the region that you live in. Extremely humid or moist regions are not good candidates for bamboo flooring, due to the fact that it tends to warp and buckle during the drastic changes in climate. Even if your particular region does not experience climate extremes, extra care in protecting against moisture will still need to be undertaken in the installation process.
What type of sub floor do I need for a bamboo floor installation?
The first thing that needs to be done is the sub-floor preparation. Bamboo sub-floors need to be clean, dry, structurally sound, in good condition and as level as possible. To check this out, inspect the area to be covered and if there is more than a 3/16 inch difference in the level within a 10 foot radius, then you will need to remedy this. These variations in the level of the sub-floor can be remedied by filling in these low spaces with asphalt shingles. Sometimes bamboo flooring has a tendency to squeak, but a good solution to this problem is to install a 15 pound asphalt felt paper between the sub-floor and the bamboo flooring. If you are installing over concrete, make sure it has been cured thoroughly and a vapor retardant has been placed under the slab. This will prevent moisture from the soil seeping into the bamboo. If the bamboo is to be installed over wood, make sure it is also very dry and crawl spaces have vapor retardants over the soil.
How long do I need to acclimate my new bamboo floor?
If you purchased your bamboo flooring pre-finished, then you will be able to begin installing after you bring the bamboo material into the room where it will be installed and allow it to acclimate for three days. This is a very important step, not to ignored. Open the crates and spread out the material, allowing it to absorb the moisture in the room before you install it. Otherwise, if you install it immediately, it will swell or contract three days later and your floor could be ruined. Naturally, if your bamboo flooring was purchased un-finished, then you will need to sand, stain and finish it before allowing it to acclimate in the room.
Can I float my bamboo hardwood floor?
Bamboo flooring is installed the same way that traditional wood floors are installed with one exception. Unless it is an engineered bamboo, you should not install it as a floating floor, meaning that the floor planks are attached to each other and floating over the sub-floor. Solid bamboo should be nailed or glued to the sub-floor. Make sure that as you are removing the old flooring, such as carpet, that you completely remove all carpet pieces and tacks and the area is swept clean. The basic tools that you will need are a compound miter saw, a hand saw, a rubber mallet and possibly a face-nailer or staple gun. If you are using the glue down method, choose a good quality urethane adhesive and not a water based adhesive. Take a moment and eye the room to select the best starting point for installation. Also, take a moment and eye your bamboo materials. Some pieces may vary in color and so for the best final appearance, lay them out, trying to provide the best match and overall color blend. When you begin laying the planks, be sure to apply enough pressure to the joints to close them tightly before inserting the nails or staples. Apply a nail or staple every 6-8 inches in the center and 2 inches from each end joint. If you need to cut pieces to fit into sections, measure carefully and then measure it again to be sure before cutting. This helps eliminate waste of material made by mistakes.
Can I install my bamboo floor on my own?
Now that you are done, carefully inspect the Floor Surface for joints that are misaligned, sections that may have buckled or any frayed ends that are exposed. Now is the time to repair these. Once that is finished, you can begin replacing the base moldings and corner round work. Clean the area, remove all tools and enjoy your new floor.
