Mar 12 2010
Install Bamboo Flooring
Do-it-yourselfers who are thinking of installing a new floor may consider learning how to install a bamboo floor. Depending on the type of bamboo floor being installed and the subfloor that it is being installed over, the process can be simple or complex. If it appears that it is going to be too complex, a professional installer may be needed to prevent damaging planks and spending more money than necessary.
First, if the floor is solid bamboo and the subfloor is wood or other material that makes nailing the bamboo the best route, it wise to have a professional installer for the project. Nailing solid bamboo is difficult and can cause the wood to splinter. At least with a professional installer, they will be responsible for any cracked wood. An engineered wood floor is the easiest for homeowners to install themselves unless glue is being used for a solid wood installation.
The first step is to prepare the subfloor for the installation. Prep work is an important step that can determine the overall finished installation’s beauty and longevity. Make sure that all remnants of the previous flooring are removed and that any glue that remains is scraped from the subfloor but that no damage is done to the subfloor. If there original flooring was carpet, insure that all floor tacks and tack strips are removed before installing the bamboo flooring.
After deciding on the type of bamboo flooring, a measurement of the room should be taken. In order to make sure that there is enough flooring for mistakes and to allow for any natural variations in the wood, allow for 20% more flooring than the room measures.
After purchasing the bamboo flooring, it should be stacked in the room in loose piles and allowed to acclimate for 24-48 hours, preferably 48 as the wood needs time to adjust to the temperature and moisture content of the room. Wood that had not acclimated can, over time, swell or buckle. Another reason for stacking the flooring is that it gives the installer an opportunity to look through the flooring and find any pieces that need to be returned to the manufacturer due to cracks or imperfections.
If the installation is to be a floating installation, during the installation process be certain to use a rubber mallet to insure that the joints are firmly pressed together. When cutting the bamboo planks for fitting make sure to measure twice, there are no redos when it comes to bamboo planks that have been cut. Get it right the first time. Once all planks have been installed it is time to sit back and enjoy the new floor.
Flooring installations that are going to be glued or nailed down should be done using a professional installer in order to make sure there are no mistakes and that if there are mistakes the installers are responsible.
-Sharon Chapman
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