Mar 14 2010
Installing Bamboo Flooring
Bamboo flooring has become a popular flooring option for homeowners who want the beauty of hardwood floors without the expense. Bamboo is a beautiful hardwood flooring option with a lower cost than traditional hardwoods and yet they are just as strong if not stronger than many hardwood floors. Ironically, bamboo is actually a grass that has a very strong stalk used to create the floor. Installing bamboo flooring is a process that can be done one of several ways, depending on the purchaser’s preference.
In many aspects installing bamboo flooring is similar to installing other types of wood flooring. However, the installation options depend on the type of bamboo flooring be installed as each one requires a different installation. Laminate bamboo floors are different solid bamboo and engineered bamboo and each one can be installed in different manners.
Solid bamboo flooring is installed using nails, staples, or glue. This type of bamboo flooring is best left to a professional installer in order to prevent having damaged floor planks from the wood splintering or buckling during the nailing process. Some installers prefer to use staples to secure the floor as they create a stronger bond.
Condo dining room with bamboo floors
Some installers use glue to install solid hardwood floors and it is possible for homeowners who do their own projects to install solid bamboo flooring using glue if they are certain to use the right adhesive. Using a water-based adhesive will cause problems with the floor and it will be ruined. Although high quality glue will be more costly, in the end the floor will last longer which saves money in repairs and replacement.
Homeowners who wish to install their own bamboo flooring should choose engineered bamboo flooring and a floating installation. Floating installation are click-n-lock type installations that may or may not require flue being applied to the joints as they are fitted together. Floating installations typically have an underlayment that adds cushioning and protects the bamboo from moisture.
Installing bamboo flooring requires prep work regardless of the type of installation and bamboo flooring chosen. The subfloor should be cleaned and any remnants of the old floor removed and discarded. If the floor is unlevel a professional should be consulted to have a leveler applied before the flooring is installed. An unlevel floor can have dramatic effects on bamboo flooring. The boards will be uneven and can bow and have a squeaky sound over time if they are not level.
Installation options vary as do the types of bamboo flooring that can be installed in homes. The installation chosen is a matter of individual tastes in flooring choice and in the ability of the homeowner’s ability and or desire to install the floor themselves or their wish to hire a professional installer.
Regardless of the type of bamboo flooring chosen or the type of installation used, bamboo is a durable, beautiful flooring choice that will enhance any home.
-Sharon Chapman
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