Bamboo Flooring Installation Guidelines

The installation of strand woven bamboo flooring is just like the way we install  traditional tongue and  groove hardwood flooring. Experienced professional installers of hardwood flooring will find themselves right at home installing strand woven bamboo flooring.

PRELIMINARY REQUIEMENTS,  

i) Before Installation:

The flooring should be delivered to the job site 72 hours before the planned installation, unpack the flooring , making small piles in the rooms where they will be installed, the usual heating or air-conditioning must be turned on and operating at normal levels, allow  the flooring to acclimate to your location. This precaution will allow the bamboo and wood to expand or contract prior to installation and minimize any possible gaps or swelling.  Optimum installation condition is 21 centigrade at 30-50% humidity.

The flooring should be inspected by the installer or contractor for defects prior to installation. Carefully examine the flooring boards for color, finish and quality using reasonable selectivity. Hold out or cut off pieces with glaring defects, whatever the cause. Flooring that is installed is presumed to have been accepted.

Strand woven amboo flooring is a natural product containing natural variation in colors, tone and grain, therefore we recommend you open all boxes prior to installation and mix planks so as to blend color variations throughout the floor. Installers should handle the colors carefully and distribute color variations randomly (or otherwise, to the client's satisfaction) within the room.

Why variations of color happen for bamboo? It’s all because bamboo flooring is a natural product, not artificial. Bottom part of a bamboo is darker in color than upper part of a bamboo, the side facing the sunlight is darker in color than the other side which not facing the sunshine, a 6 year old bamboo is darker in color than a 4 year old bamboo. This is just the same hardwood, say there is dark oak and there is light oak.

Pls note that for each color of our bamboo flooring ( natural and carbonized color ), both are divided into Dark, Medium and Light, and each carton is marked on the end labels with a stamp D,M, or L. in most cases we put one specific color on one pallet, say a pallet full of Medium color.

ii) Moisture Barrier:  

It is recommended that a moisture barrier be placed over all concrete floors, even if no moisture emissions are apparent.

A moisture meter should show no more than a 3% difference between the moisture level of the concrete slab and the bamboo flooring prior to installation. A high moisture crawl space may prevent achieving the desired 3% moisture range between the two materials.  In such case a vapor barrier, such as a 0.2mm thick polyethylene sheet can be laid over the soil to prevent migration of vapor from the soil into the flooring.

iii) Concrete Slab:

NOTE, pls make sure the concrete slab is prepared. It must be perfectly flat, clean, and dry, and a moisture content test is recommended.

iv) Expansion:    

Because changes in heat and humidity will cause the flooring  to expand and contract in both length and width, expansion spaces must be allowed on all sides of the installed floor. The use of spacers inserted between the panels and perimeter walls is recommended. The spacers should be removed after the panels are installed and before moldings are attached to the walls. For rooms up to 25 feet (7.6 meters) in width and 40 feet (12.2 meters) in length, allow for expansion between 3/8" and 5/8" (10mm to 16mm) along each wall.

v) Expansion Joints:  

For floors more than 25 feet (7.6 meters) wide or more than 40 feet (12.2 meters) long, an additional expansion joint must be inserted. Expansion joints are also required in doorways, and between adjoining rooms or areas where adjacent flooring is installed. Use a T-molding to cover the expansion joint.

vi) Trims:  

For better installation effect, Trims are recommended to be used together with the flooring, in most cases, Skirting, T-Molding is necessary.

INSTALLATION METHODS,  

Two methods to choose from  

i) To Install With Nails:

amboo flooring is best installed over a wood subfloor  using staples or glue, We use pine wood strips as a sub floor, the size for the pine strip  is 25mm thick,35mm wide. the length varies, and  decided by the installer. the pine strips are put on the cement floor in squares, we use a machine gun to drill holes in the cement floor and then use long spiral nails to fasten the pine strips on the cement floor, then we install  the bamboo flooring on the pine strips, by using special nails for flooring.

leave 15mm  space between flooring and wall to allow for any expansion. The ends of the boards should be randomly positioned one to another to avoid visually symmetrical patterns like “stair casing” or H’s”. The end joints of the floor boards should be offset one from another. Nail the flooring strips through the tongue at a 50 degree angle every 140 to 220mm  and to within 40 to 70mm of the end of the board.

ii) To Install with Glue:

Bamboo flooring can also be installed directly over a concrete slab with an approved adhesive. care should be taken that the concrete is flat, clean, and dry.  Be sure to test the moisture content of the concrete slab to stay

within the 3% recommended moisture range between the flooring and slab.  Use any high quality wood floor adhesive available, such as Franklin, Bostik, or Bruce brands.

CARE AND MAINTENANCE  

Do Not:

·         Do not use wax, oil, soap or any industrial strength cleaner on your bamboo floor. Use only light cleaning products that are urethane and aluminum oxide friendly. Cleaners which are specifically formulated for hardwood and bamboo floors are available through your local home improvement store

·         Do not use an excessive amount of water when cleaning your bamboo floor. Water and wood/grass (bamboo) are not naturally compatible - wet your mop/cloth sparingly. You may mop you bamboo floor with a very slightly damp mop but never “wet” mop.

·         Do not walk on bamboo flooring with hard-soled or high-heeled shoes.

Do:

·         Regular cleaning is recommended, if dusts get on the floor, just clean with a dust mop, broom or vacuum. Any food or liquid spills should be immediately wiped up with a soft, damp cloth.

·         Use standard dirt-trapping doormats at all exterior doors to help prevent dirt, grit and sand from getting inside the building. Throw rugs or small sections of carpet just inside the entrances are also helpful.

·         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 legs before moving.

·         Keep your pets nails clipped to reduce scratching on the floor.

·         Wipe up spills immediately with a lightly dampened cloth, then follow up with a recommended cleaning product.

·         Maintain the appearance of your bamboo floor by using a “putty pen” to fill minor scratches on the finish.

·         Avoid long periods of direct sunlight.

·         If using area rugs, make sure to move them periodically, to ensure the UV rays don’t unevenly fade or change the color of the bamboo flooring.

·         Depending on the amount of traffic, varnish your bamboo floor every few years to help maintain its lustrous finish.

·         Keep indoor temperature and humidity reasonably consistent

·         Avoid heavy impacts, spiked heels and rotational loads.