Bamboo Floor Installation Instructions

INSPECTION: Carefully inspect all bamboo flooring and accessories as well as each flooring plank before installation. Any material installed with visual defects will not be warranted. Manufacturer does not warrant installation. Customer is responsible for maintaining normal humidity conditions (40-60%) within the installation location. The manufacturer is not responsible for environmental conditions that cause excessive expansion and/or contraction.

General: Temperature and humidity must be brought to normal usage levels at least 72 hours before installation and maintained at those levels after installation. Flooring, accessories, and planks should be allowed to acclimate on site at least 72 hours before installation. Open boxes for acclimation, but do not remove the boards. Be sure to use your moisture meter to check moisture levels in both the sub-floor and the bamboo flooring before installation.

Applications: Depending on the product, it may be stapled or glued down over wood sub floors, glued directly to concrete sub-floors, above or below grade surfaces (if installed below grade we recommend using membrane or like product), or installed as floating flooring. For all types of installation, joints must be staggered 10" to 20". Manufacturer recommends bridging the flooring across the floor joist. NOTE: Manufacturer does not recommend installing over or onto particleboard.

Color Variations: Bamboo is a natural product and has natural color variations. Bamboo flooring is separated by shade at the factory. There are no standards for this so the shade differences between cartons may be noticeable. Mixing 2-3 boxes creates a natural, random shade effect.

Sub-floor Surfaces must be clean, dry, smooth and free of dirt, wax, oil, paint, curing agents and other contaminants that would interfere with adhesive bond. Old resilient floors can be installed over provided above conditions apply. Wood sub-floors must be sanded level prior to new installation. Concrete sub-floors must have all cracks and holes filled with a cementations patching material. Concrete sub-floors must be tested for moisture and not exceed three pounds per 1,000 square feet using the calcium chloride test.

Nail Down: Planks shall be started square with the room and parallel to its longest dimension by positioning with a chalk line, leaving 1/4" expansion space from base plate or wall. Ensure starter rows are firmly in place by wedging or face nailing. Once initial rows are secure, second and further courses shall be blind nailed directly above tongue at a 45-50 degree angle to the face. Fasteners shall be spaced at 10-12 inch intervals with a minimum of 3 fasteners per piece. NOTE: There will not be a guarantee for Bamboo flooring installed over or onto particleboard. (OSB is the exception). Be sure to take few boards and practice on them to set the proper pressures in the nail gun, if the pressure is to low the nail will try to split the board as Bamboo flooring is very hard. Please take the time to set your nail guns pressures before you start and the job will fast as well as easy.

Glue Down: Use only 100% urethane glue. Check with glue manufacturer for warranty information and installation instructions for trowel size, then using the proper trowel, spread the glue. Inspect each board before installation. Leave 1/4" expansion space from the base plate or wall. Make sure the starter rows are firmly in place by a wedge or spacer. Once the initial rows are secured, use adhesive as recommended by the glue manufacturers’ instructions. Remove spacers once the job is complete.

Floating Method Tongue and Groove: Install underlay membrane over cement sub floor. The manufacturer recommends a "3 in 1" membrane. For installing underlayment follow manufacturer's installation instruction. DO NOT remove flooring from the packages until you are ready to begin installation. Removing the boards prior to acclimating the flooring could result in a difficult installation. Inspect each board before installation. Be sure to leave 1/2" wide space between the floor and wall. You can use expansion shims at 12" intervals. Apply a continuous 1/8" thick bead of tongue and groove glue (urethane glues only) to the top inside of the grove (long and short side) on each board. Place the tapping block against the tongue side of the board and tap with a hammer. Make sure all joints are tight. Immediately wipe off excess glue with a damp cloth. Start each new row on the right side with the remaining portion of the previous board. The end joint must be at least 18" from the end joint in the row before it.

Radiant Heated floors: Not all of our floors are warranted for use with radiant heat flooring. Please consult the individual warranties for each product before you purchase.