The popularity explosion of bamboo flooring has many homeowners looking into the possibility of installing their own new bamboo floor. Many companies are offering hardwood flooring products; however, few are offering installation instructions.

Many do-it-yourselfers will assume that installing bamboo flooring is the same as installing any other hardwood flooring. Theoretically this is true, but, there are some traits that are unique to bamboo flooring.

Prior to Installation

Before installing bamboo in any room, there are some steps that must be followed in order to have a successful installation. The planks should be seasoned to the area they are going to be used in for approximately three days, some installers will settle for twenty-four hours.

Moisture testing should be performed to insure that there is no moisture present. Bamboo flooring should not be used in rooms where moisture accumulates, such as bathrooms, saunas, enclosed porches (due to humidity) or washroom. Over time the moisture in these rooms will cause the flooring to warp.

The sub floor should be flat and smooth prior to installing. This is the leading reason for bamboo flooring installation failures. A tolerance of 3/16” over 8-10’ of flooring is acceptable. The flooring installed is only going to be as good as the sub flooring preparation.

Floor preparation can be as simple as cleaning and removing clumps of glue or drywall from the floor or it may require the removal of concrete paint if the bamboo flooring is going to be glued. Nail heads need to be set flat or removed if at all possible and any voids should be filled to prevent the flooring from having sags.

Check the bamboo flooring for any grain variations, color variations or damaged planks before getting started. Before actually installing the flooring, it is a good idea to do a rough layout of the floor to determine the direction of the grains and make sure the coloring is what is desired for the room.

Installing the Flooring

The method of attachment is dependent on the type of subfloor the bamboo flooring is being installed over. Direct fastening is the preferred installation method when the subfloor is wood. Nails or staples can be used; thought the general consensus is the use of staples. Staples provide better adherence without squeaks or other noises appearing in the floor. Be sure to apply enough pressure during nailing or stapling to close the joints between the planks securely.

During installation, remember the saying ‘measure twice, cut once’. Once a board is cut it can’t be put back together, so make sure that all measurements are accurate. Use a rubber mallet for any tamping that needs to be done; this will prevent damaging the wood in any way.

After installing the flooring, store any remaining planks for future repairs. Before re-installing baseboards or molding, make sure they are finished as desired to prevent stain or paint from getting on the new bamboo floor.

Installing bamboo flooring is not a task that should be undertaken by someone who has never installed flooring; however, for the do-it-yourselfer who has some experience in installing flooring, the installation should not be difficult.

-Sharon V. Chapman