Methods of Installing Bamboo Floors

There are three methods of installing a bamboo floor. Proceed according to instructions, depending on the method you choose.

Nailed or Stapled Bamboo Floors

This method of installing bamboo floors is popular with wood subfloors to which the flooring is directly fastened. Floor support beams must be marked in order to guide installation, and their locations must also be marked on the felt paper using chalk lines. These markings will help identify where nails and staples are driven to make a connection with the subfloor.

Start laying down the starter rows by nailing each board every 8" and within 2" of each end. Once these are laid, start nailing the proceeding planks by nailing them directly above the tongue at a 45o angle. These nails should be hidden upon placement by the next piece of flooring, thereby giving rise to the term "secret nailing," which is another term used for this method. A good eye should be kept on nail/staple penetration.

Floating Bamboo Floors

To "float" a floor means installing bamboo floors over a type of underlayment, providing cushioning and moisture protection. This method is usually used for concrete subfloors. Various types of underlayment can be used to provide a cushioned feel when walking on the floor. More popular varieties of underlayment can provide both cushioning and moisture protection, like the 3-in-1 types.

Installing bamboo floors by means of this method is very popular with DIYers. These types of bamboo flooring hold up very well, but installation should be avoided in areas where high levels of moisture are expected, like bathrooms.

Glue-down Bamboo Floors.

This method involves gluing the bamboo floor directly to the subfloor. To ensure proper flooring installation, use the recommended adhesive like Dri-tac. Avoid water-based adhesives as these will cause your floor boards to cup and could ruin your floor permanently. Urethane-type adhesives are better suited for your bamboo floors more so than water-based ones.

Start by applying adhesive to the outside wall. Spread as much adhesive as can be covered by the floor boards in one hour. After doing so, place the bamboo flooring planks on the subfloor with the adhesive, with the groove facing the wall. Make sure that the floor still aligned and be careful not to let the installed flooring move on the wet adhesive. For any adhesive that gets on the flooring surface, use a damp cloth to immediately remove it. After about 30 minutes of laying down the floor boards, walk on them foot-by-foot to ensure a solid bond with the adhesives. Flooring planks installed on the room's boundary line may require weights to ensure a solid bond with the adhesive on the subfloor.

Expansion Gaps

As with all other types of bamboo flooring installations, floating bamboo floors require expansion areas. It is best for your bamboo installation project to allow for as much expansion as possible, depending on the size of the room. Small rooms may only need a 3/8" expansion while larger rooms may require up to 40 feet of expansion or more. Take care not to install bamboo flooring against fixed objects such as fireplaces or columns; doing so may result in buckled floors.

To install your floating bamboo floors, start at the first row with the groove toward the wall. Apply adhesive to the bottom groove of that plank to install the end-joints of the first row. To lay the next rows of flooring, apply glue to the side end-joints and fitting planks together with the tapping block.