Installing Bamboo Floors on Top of a Concrete Subfloor

Note: THE FOLLOWING IS A GUIDELINE ONLY. CAREFULLY READ THE MANUFACTURER’S INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS THAT COME WITH YOUR PRODUCT BEFORE YOU INSTALL BAMBOO ON CONCRETE.

• Before you order flooring , make sure you add at least 5% to the actual area size you are going to cover. The industry standard for allowable small defects, mismilling or misgrading is 5 %.
• Read the Manufacturer’s Warranty carefully before installing the product.
• As a general rule, all installed strips will be considered accepted by the installer and/or homeowner. So, sort through the product first before installing to ensure it meets your expectations. You cannot return planks once they are installed!
• This flooring is to be glued down. It is not covered by warranty if it is floated.
• The adhesive has to be a 100% Urethane-based product.
• The adhesive manufacturer’s installation instructions are to be followed.

• Gypsum joints must be completed and dried.
• Concrete work must have been completed at least 45 days prior to installation.
• The heating system must be functional, and the building must be heated up to 21°C (70°F) for a minimum of 7 days immediately prior to installation.
• The relative humidity of the building must be between 40% and 45%
• Refer to the adhesive’s installation instructions to find the allowable moisture level of the concrete.
• Maximum acceptable floor variation is 1/8” in 10 feet.

**Do not install bamboo flooring that has not been properly acclimatized to humidity conditions. Recommended acclimating time is 7 days minimum in rooms where the flooring will be installed. Try to disperse flooring as much as possible. If it is not possible, make smaller stacks, break boxes and open ends. Before starting installation, check moisture content on several randomly picked samples.

• Correct slight irregularities on the concrete subfloor.
• Remove baseboards and doorsills.
• Cut 9/16” off the bottom of the doorframes to insert the strips underneath them.
• Vacuum the subfloor regularly during installation to make sure it is always clean and dust free.

• Measuring tape
• Miter saw
• Square
• Sawhorse
• Chalk line
• Handsaw
• Vacuum cleaner
• Crowbar
• Safety goggles
• Level
• Trowel
• Other tools and accessories may be necessary depending on site configuration and type of installation.

• Locate the longest wall of the room where the product will be installed.
• Allow for a 9/16” expansion joint between the wall and the flooring strips. This joint will be hidden by a baseboard or quarter round.
• Draw a guideline with a chalk line. The guideline must be parallel to the wall. Calculate its distance from the wall as follows: expansion joint + strip flooring width + tongue width.
• To end a row, cut the strip at the correct length and use the remainder of the strip to start the next row. Do not forget to leave sufficient space for the expansion joint at the end of each row.
• Make sure you carefully choose the strips to avoid aligning the end joints with those of adjacent rows. A minimum of 15cm (6”) must be allowed to avoid aligning the end joints.
• You may have to cut the last row lengthwise. Fix it in the same way you did for the first row, that is, from the top.
• Install baseboards and doorsills.
• Vacuum once again. Lightly dampen a mop with water and clean your floor.
• Installation is now complete.

• Installation of factory-finished bamboo on concrete requires more care than a conventional floor to prevent damaging the floor’s finish during installation. Frequent use of a vacuum cleaner during installation is highly recommended to eliminate saw dust and wood chips.
• Place your tools on plywood or on a piece of cardboard rather than directly on the bamboo floor.
• To hide the expansion joint around the room, cut the gypsum so that the bamboo can use that space as an expansion joint.
• If a strip presents too much color variation or a minor defect, put it aside and use it in a less visible area such as a closet. You can also cut a defective strip and use it to start or end a row.
• Save remaining strips after installation and store them in a proper place for future repairs.
• Remove adhesive from surface of the floor as soon as possible.

• Use a non-wax flooring cleaner to keep your floor in good condition. Use of conventional, domestic cleaners may permanently damage your floor’s finish.
• Never clean your bamboo floor with a wet mop or cloth. Water and wood are natural enemies.
• Do not wax your bamboo floor .
• Vacuum your floor frequently to eliminate the presence of solid particles (such as sand) which may damage and/or scratch your floor.
• Place protective felt underneath your furniture to protect your floor. Clean the felt regularly and replace it when necessary.
• When moving heavy furniture (fridge, piano, etc.), place a thick rug underneath furniture leg before moving.