A Bamboo Floor Installation

A bamboo floor installation is not much different from standard hardwood floor installation, with a few possible variations. Some of the most important steps in the installation take place before putting in the bamboo floor. Here are a few guidelines:

• The first step in bamboo floor installation is making sure the subfloor is dry, clean, and level. Adhesives do not bond well with dirty subfloors and will eventually cause decay. If the subfloor is moist and/or not level, the bamboo flooring will squeak when walked on. Trapped moisture may also cause long term damage.

• Remove any old nails or staples from previous flooring material.

• Before installation, inspect each floor plank for defects.

• Measure the floor and divide by the number of boards.

• Lay out flooring for visual selection. The careful placement of color and grain will enhance the beauty of the finished floor.

• Install the floor as per the manufacturer's guidelines to protect your warranty.

The bamboo flooring material must be moved to the room where it will be installed for a period prior to the installation. This allows the flooring to adapt to the room's temperature and humidity. The material should be kept off concrete floors. If the room is ready for installation, and all materials and tools are present, one can expect to install about 200 square feet in a day.

There are three common ways for a bamboo floor installation: Naildown, gluedown and floating.

• NAILDOWN or SECRET NAILING: In this method, the bamboo floor is 'secretly' nailed down to a wood subfloor. It is the traditional way of bamboo floor installation using nails or staples. All solid flooring and many engineered floors can be installed this way.

• The floor joists (beam that supports a floor) must be marked to guide installation procedure. Also, the location of floor joists should be marked on the felt paper with chalk lines. These markings will identify where nails and staples should be driven to make a solid connection with the subfloor. The nails or staples are rammed at an angle through the tongue and are hidden by the next piece of flooring. This is why it is called 'blind or secret nailing.' Once starter rows are placed, the next planks should be nailed directly above the tongue at a 45- degree angle. A good eye should be kept on nail / staple penetration.

• GLUEDOWN: This method involves the gluing of the bamboo floor to a subfloor. A glue-down wood floor is installed in a similar way like that of flooring tile. It can be used for installation on both concrete subfloors and on plywood. Most engineered flooring and some solid flooring can be installed using the glue-down method.

  Bamboo flooring can be glued down using a moisture resistant flooring adhesive (especially urethane type). Water based adhesives should not be used for this purpose. After applying the adhesive to the subfloor with a trowel, the bamboo flooring planks should be immediately placed.

• FLOATING FLOOR: This involves gluing the tongue and groove joints of the bamboo flooring together over an underlay. A floating floor is attached to itself and not to the subfloor. It is installed over various types of cushion underlayment. This method is suitable for any subfloor and is especially recommended for radiant heat or below grade installations. Wider engineered or cross ply products should only be considered for floating.

For homeowners, the primary motivation for commencing a bamboo floor installation is to save money. Installing a bamboo floor over a wooden subfloor can be an easy weekend project.